Image of Spotify

Spotify

Organization

A music streaming service, another example of a company that created substantial value for investors in the public markets after its venture-backed private phase.


entitydetail.created_at

8/16/2025, 2:37:29 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

8/16/2025, 2:40:12 AM

entitydetail.research_retrieved

8/16/2025, 2:40:11 AM

Summary

Spotify is a leading Swedish audio streaming and media service provider, established on April 23, 2006, by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. Operating on a freemium model, it offers an extensive library of over 100 million songs, 7 million podcast titles, and 350,000 audiobooks. As of June 2025, Spotify boasts over 696 million monthly active users, including 276 million paying subscribers, making it one of the largest global music streaming services. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange through its holding company, Spotify Technology S.A. Available in 184 markets worldwide, Spotify allows users to search for content, create playlists, and utilize social features across a wide range of devices. Its royalty system distributes approximately 70% of revenue to rights holders, a model that has been both praised for combating piracy and criticized regarding artist earnings. Spotify is recognized as a 'power law winner' in the venture capital landscape, signifying its significant, compounding returns.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Founded

    2006-04-23

  • Founders

    Daniel Ek, Martin Lorentzon

  • Headquarters

    Stockholm, Sweden

  • Service Type

    Digital audio streaming and media service provider

  • Business Model

    Freemium (free with ads, paid for premium features)

  • Content Library

    Over 100 million songs, 7 million podcast titles, 350,000 audiobooks

  • Country of Origin

    Sweden

  • Market Availability

    184 markets across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania

  • Stock Exchange Listing

    New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) via Spotify Technology S.A.

  • Paying Subscribers (as of June 2025)

    276 million

  • Monthly Active Users (as of June 2025)

    Over 696 million

  • Revenue Distribution to Rights Holders

    Approximately 70% of total revenue

Timeline
  • Spotify is founded by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia, DBPedia, Web Search)

    2006-04-23

  • Spotify officially launches its service. (Source: Web Search)

    2008

  • Spotify initially launches in the United Kingdom. (Source: Web Search)

    2009

  • Spotify gains 1 million paying subscribers across Europe. (Source: Web Search)

    2011-03

  • Spotify launches in the United States. (Source: Web Search)

    2011-09

  • Spotify reaches 15 million active users, with 4 million paying subscribers. (Source: Web Search)

    2012-08

  • Approximately 13,000 artists on Spotify generate $50,000 or more in payments. (Source: DBPedia)

    2020

  • Spotify enters the fast-growing audiobook market. (Source: Web Search)

    2022

  • Spotify is available in 184 markets globally. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2022-12

  • Spotify is ranked as the 47th most-visited website worldwide. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2023-12

  • Spotify reaches over 600 million users and more than 230 million paying subscribers. (Source: Web Search)

    2024

  • Spotify reports over 696 million monthly active users and 276 million paying subscribers. (Source: Summary, Wikipedia)

    2025-06

Spotify

Spotify (; Swedish: [ˈspɔ̂tːɪfaj]) is a Swedish audio streaming and media service provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. As of June 2025, it is one of the largest providers of music streaming services, with over 696 million monthly active users comprising 276 million paying subscribers. Spotify is listed (through a Luxembourg City–domiciled holding company, Spotify Technology S.A.) on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American depositary receipts. Spotify offers digital copyright restricted recorded audio content, including more than 100 million songs and 7 million podcast titles, from record labels and media companies. Operating as a freemium service, the basic features are free with advertisements and limited control, while additional features, such as offline listening and commercial-free listening, are offered via paid subscriptions. Users can search for music based on artist, album, or genre, and can create, edit, and share playlists. It offers some social media features, following friends and creating listening parties called "Jams". As of December 2022, Spotify is available in most of Europe, as well as Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, with a total availability in 184 markets. Its users and subscribers are based largely in the US and Europe, jointly accounting for around 53% of users and 67% of revenue. It has no presence in mainland China where the market is dominated by QQ Music. The service is available on most devices, including Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, smart home devices such as the Amazon Echo and Google Nest lines of products, and digital media players like Roku. As of December 2023, Spotify was the 47th most-visited website in the world with 24.78% of its traffic coming from the United States followed by Brazil with 6.51% according to data provided by Semrush. Unlike physical or download sales, which pay artists a fixed price per song or album sold, Spotify pays royalties based on the number of artist streams as a proportion of total songs streamed. It distributes approximately 70% of its total revenue to rights holders (often record labels), who then pay artists based on individual agreements. While certain musicians laud the service for offering a lawful option to combat piracy and for remunerating artists each time their music is played, others have voiced objections to Spotify's royalty structure and its effect on record sales.

Web Search Results
  • Spotify

    Spotify (/ˈspɒtɪfaɪ/; Swedish: (/wiki/Help:IPA/Swedish "Help:IPA/Swedish")) is a Swedish audio streaming and media service provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. As of December 2024( it is one of the largest providers of music streaming services, with over 678 million monthly active users comprising 268 million paying subscribers. Spotify is listed (through a Luxembourg City–domiciled holding company, Spotify Technology S.A.) on the New York Stock Exchange in the [...] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Swedish audio streaming service Not to be confused with Shopify. Spotify Technology S.A. [...] Spotify offers digital copyright restricted recorded audio content, including more than 100 million songs and 7 million podcast titles, from record labels and media companies. Operating as a freemium service, the basic features are free with advertisements and limited control, while additional features, such as offline listening and commercial-free listening, are offered via paid subscriptions. Users can search for music based on artist, album, or genre, and can create, edit, and share

  • What is Spotify? - Spotify

    Spotify Support Site # What is Spotify? Spotify is a digital music, podcast, and video service that gives you access to millions of songs and other content from creators all over the world. Basic functions such as playing music are totally free, but you can also choose to upgrade to Spotify Premium. Whether you have Premium or not, you can: [...] Spotify is available across a range of devices, including computers, phones, tablets, speakers, TVs, and cars, and you can easily transition from one to another with Spotify Connect. ## Can I keep music from Spotify? Spotify only gives access to music and podcasts through our apps. Our licensing means there's no way to export our content outside of the app. ## Related Articles ## Payments & billing ## Manage your account ## Premium plans ## In-app features ### Getting started [...] ### App settings ### Troubleshooting ### Playlists ### Features ### Social features ### Podcasts ### Audiobooks ### Live events ### Listening privacy ## Devices & troubleshooting ## Safety & privacy ## Need more help? Visit our help community to get answers from expert fans! ## Company ## Communities ## Useful Links ## Spotify Plans

  • Spotify | Description, History, & Facts

    # Spotify Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. ## News • Spotify, audio streaming service that offers users access to music tracks, podcasts, and other media through a subscription model. It is a publicly traded company that was founded by Swedish entrepreneurs Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon in 2006. Spotify is headquartered in Stockholm and has more than a dozen other office locations worldwide. ## Origins [...] Spotify initially launched in the United Kingdom in 2009. By March 2011 the company had gained 1 million paying subscribers across Europe; six months later it reported double that number. About that same time Spotify launched in the United States. Besides offering access to music tracks, the company introduced algorithms that enabled users to create custom playlists. By August 2012 Spotify had experienced significant growth, with 15 million active users, 4 million of them paying subscribers. [...] By 2024 the company had more than 100 million music tracks, 5 million podcast titles, and more than 300,000 audiobooks in its catalog, and the service was being accessed by more than 600 million users and more than 230 million paying subscribers. Spotify’s reputation was further bolstered by partnerships with such entities as The New York Times, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Sony as well as such social media platforms as Snapchat and Facebook.

  • Every Spotify Feature You Need To Know - Free Your Music

    Spotify says prompts based on genres, moods, or artists work best—but feel free to experiment with emojis, activities, or even fictional characters. Check the full list of newly supported countries here Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services for a reason. And, while it might not be their audio quality, they have more than just music to offer subscribers. Fancy testing out thier features? Transfer your playlists to Spotify today! [...] Spotify can add tracks to your playlists based on their similarity to what you have already listened to. [...] Perhaps one of the nicest things about having a home assistant or a Sonos setup is that you can stream your favorite music from Spotify. This is even better when used with Jam sessions or Collaborative playlists (big party vibes). What it is: Control music playback on different devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. How to use: Tap the "Devices Available" icon in the bottom-left corner and tap on the device name you want to connect to.

  • About Spotify

    #### Suggestions #### Popular Topics ## About Spotify ## About Spotify Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has revolutionised music listening. Our move into podcasting brought innovation and a new generation of listeners to the medium. In 2022, we took the next leap, entering the fast-growing audiobook market—continuing to shape the future of audio. [...] Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage and enjoy over 100 million tracks, nearly 7 million podcast titles, and 350,000 audiobooks a la carte on Spotify. We are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with more than 678 million users, including 268 million subscribers in more than 180 markets. ### Spotify Founder and CEO Daniel Ek Discusses the Economics of Music Streaming ## Life at Spotify [...] When competition is fair, both consumers and companies win. Learn about our efforts to even the playing field for all developers. #### Spotify Loud & Clear Artists deserve clarity about the economics of music streaming. This site sheds light on the global streaming economy and royalty system. Spotify ##### Communities ##### Company ##### Useful Links © 2025 Spotify AB.

Spotify (/ˈspɒtɪfaɪ/; Swedish: [ˈspɔ̂tːɪfaj]) is a proprietary Swedish audio streaming and media services provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. It is one of the largest music streaming service providers, with over 456 million monthly active users, including 195 million paying subscribers, as of September 2022. Spotify is listed (through a Luxembourg City-domiciled holding company, Spotify Technology S.A.) on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American depositary receipts. Spotify offers digital copyright restricted recorded music and podcasts, including more than 82 million songs, from record labels and media companies. As a freemium service, basic features are free with advertisements and limited control, while additional features, such as offline listening and commercial-free listening, are offered via paid subscriptions. Users can search for music based on artist, album, or genre, and can create, edit, and share playlists. Spotify is available in most of Europe, as well as Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, with a total availability in 184 markets. The service is available on most devices including Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, smart home devices such as the Amazon Echo and Google Nest lines of products and digital media players like Roku. Unlike physical or download sales, which pay artists a fixed price per song or album sold, Spotify pays royalties based on the number of artist streams as a proportion of total songs streamed. It distributes approximately 70% of its total revenue to rights holders (often record labels), who then pay artists based on individual agreements. According to Ben Sisario of The New York Times, approximately 13,000 out of seven million artists (0.19%) on Spotify generated $50,000 or more in payments in 2020.

DBPedia thumbnail
Location Data

Spotify Camp Nou, Avinguda de Joan XXIII, Sant Ramon, la Maternitat i Sant Ramon, les Corts, Barcelona, Barcelonès, Barcelona, Catalunya, 08028, España

attraction

Coordinates: 41.3808806, 2.1228182

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