Highlights
- Spotify’s latest update for free users allows them to search and play any song directly, ending the long-standing shuffle-only limitation.
- After one chosen track, playback reverts to shuffle mode.
- Users also have a daily cap on on-demand time before skip limits return.
Spotify is making a major change for its free-tier listeners. Just days after rolling out lossless audio for Premium subscribers, the streaming giant has now lifted one of the biggest restrictions for free users – the inability to play specific songs on demand. Here’s more on the new update.
Free Spotify Users Can Now Search and Play Any Track
Previously, free users were forced into a shuffle-only experience. Even when selecting a specific song from an album or playlist, Spotify would shuffle tracks randomly. To make matters worse, skips were capped at six per hour, leaving many frustrated.
With the latest update, Spotify now allows free users to “pick and play any song you want”. The change is being rolled out globally, finally giving non-paying listeners more control over their music.
There Is A Catch?
While this is a big win for free-tier listeners, there are still limitations. According to CNET, users can only listen to one chosen song before playback switches back to shuffle mode.
Spotify spokesperson Luke Mackay explained the new system in a statement to The Verge, “Only Spotify Premium users have complete control to play and skip music without restrictions. Mobile listeners of the updated free experience will be able to tap on any song or search for what they’d like to play, or if they don’t like a track or simply want to hear what’s next, skip the occasional song and carry on listening. Each user has a daily allocated amount of on-demand time. Once this limit is reached, users will then be limited to six-skips per hour.”
Spotify Ads and Sharing Features Remain
The free version of Spotify will still include ads, but this update reduces one of the biggest reasons people turned to YouTube or rival platforms to hear specific tracks without restrictions.
It also helps boost Spotify’s social sharing push. In the past, non-paying users couldn’t immediately play songs shared by friends on Instagram, X (Twitter), or other platforms. Now, this update makes shared links far more seamless, encouraging engagement across social media.
FAQs
Q1. Can free Spotify users now play specific songs on demand?
Answer. Yes, free users can now search and play any song directly. However, after one chosen track, playback reverts to shuffle mode with limited skips.
Q2. Are there any limits to this new on-demand feature for free users?
Answer. Absolutely. Free users have a daily allocation of on-demand time. Once it’s used up, they’re restricted to six skips per hour and shuffle-only playback resumes.
Q3. Does this update affect Spotify’s ad-supported experience or social sharing?
Answer. Ads remain part of the free tier, but users can now instantly play songs shared via platforms like Instagram or X, making social sharing more seamless and engaging.