Spotify Newsletter #197

Your Weekly Dose of Spotify News

Jan 26, 2024

Hello. Happy Friday. It’s time for issue #197 of the best Spotify news digest on the planet. The topic of the day is this: Superfan clubs.

What are they and are you ready to join?

Hypebot: “Spotify is signaling the addition of in-app “superfan clubs” that would enable artists to monetize their most loyal fans.”

We’ll soon be able to give you information in the Spotify app about prices for things like Premium subscriptions and audiobooks.
We will be able to communicate clearly with you in the Spotify app about new products for sale, promotional campaigns, superfan clubs, and upcoming events, including when items like audiobooks are going on sale.

Considering the news is connected to the March 7th debut of EU’s Digital Markets Act, which strikes down restrictions put on apps like Spotify by Apple, this club of superfans might be EU-only to begin. We shall see if the rest of the world will be able to join in on the superfan fun.

★ SPOTlight★

⭐️ Spotify says EU’s Digital Markets Act will enable ‘superfan clubs’

“The DMA means that we’ll finally be able to share details about deals, promotions, and better-value payment options in the EU,” was how Spotify described this. “And an easier experience for you means good things for artists, authors, and creators looking to build their audiences of listeners, concert-goers, and audiobook-loving fans.”
The company’s blog post has a collection of videos showing how its app experience will change once the DMA kicks in. The part that jumps out given recent music-industry discourse is this: “We will be able to communicate clearly with you in the Spotify app about new products for sale, promotional campaigns, superfan clubs, and upcoming events, including when items like audiobooks are going on sale.”

⭐️ Spotify to begin in-app sales on iPhone after EU law requires Apple to allow it

In most regions, Apple’s App Store rules prohibit companies such as Spotify from billing users directly within the app. Apple says app makers should instead use Apple’s App Store billing service, which takes a cut of up to 30%.
But a new law in Europe, called the Digital Markets Act, goes into effect in March, and will require companies it calls “gatekeepers,” such as Apple, to open up their online services to allow smaller competitors access. In Apple’s case, it requires the company to allow third-party developers to distribute iPhone apps outside the App Store, as well as bill their customers directly.

⭐️ Stitch Fix, Spotify launch Style Tune Ups

Stitch Fix announced Tuesday a partnership with Spotify to launch Style Tune Ups, which offers personalized outfit recommendations based on the findings from its 2024 Style Forecast report, along with curated playlists from Spotify.