A Guide to the Spotify Music Library
Listen to Music Online Free and Legally With Spotify's Music Site
Aug 22, 2009
Spotify is fast turning into one of Europe's most talked about online music sites. Based on Internet streaming, this site allows its members to access a vast music library that they can use to listen to music online.
The service is 100% free (unless you choose a paid subscription option) and 100% legal. It's little wonder that Spotify is gaining member momentum at an impressive rate especially since they launched a range of mobile phone based services (including one for Symbian phones) that could revolutionise the mobile music market.
How Does Spotify Work?
Spotify gives its members access to an ever growing music library that they can listen to via a computer or laptop as and when they like. The site was established in Sweden and is currently available in a variety of countries in a beta format with the aim of rolling it out to further locations in the future.
After signing up to the service users will need to download the free application that will run the streaming service on their computer. Many users will use Spotify on more than one machine. They do have to download the software on to each machine which they will use to listen to music online but can access their account with the same log-in info from that point on.
Spotify basically works on a streaming basis. Users search for music that they want to listen to and simply listen to it. They can also:
- Build playlists
- Stream radio stations based on their musical tastes
- Share music with others via IM and email
They cannot download the music they listen to from the site (see below for download information) - this is purely a streaming service.
How Much Does Spotify Cost?
Spotify is 100% free to join and use for members who don't mind having to watch the odd advert here and there. Those who prefer an ad-free music library and who want state of the art streaming speeds can take out a premium subscription instead (currently charged at £9.99 a month). The site is aiming to keep adverts at lower levels of frequency than commercial radio stations so they aren't too intrusive.
Although users can listen to pretty much anything they like on the site free of charge they will need to link through to other sites or partner services if they ultimately decide that they want to buy legal music downloads of the songs they've been listening to. Many will indeed use the service to check out new music before they decide to buy. Others simply really enjoy having a high-quality music library to listen to.
Bear in mind that Spotify may revert back to invite only free membership in certain regions and when demand gets too great. People can still take up a paid membership when this happens but may have to wait to join for a period otherwise unless they can get a referral from a friend.
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