Spotify plans to launch a podcast service that will offer a whole range of new features. The service will provide free podcasts for all members and users, and advertisers will have new tools to target subscribers through emails and social media.
Free to listen to on the platform
The podcasting world is undergoing a major transition. One of the leading streaming services is rolling out features that will change the way people listen to them. While some of the changes may be annoying, some users may find it worth it.
Spotify is taking a multi-pronged approach to the podcasting game. This includes not only purchasing and acquiring popular podcasts, but also investing heavily in content. It will also be launching a number of new features, such as video podcasts. These changes are aimed at improving the overall listening experience.
Spotify will allow users to share songs with friends directly from the app. There is also a way to create a playlist of your favorite songs. Those who choose to upgrade to a premium subscription will be able to download these tracks and listen to them offline.
Another feature is Group Sessions, which allows you to host a live listening party. You can also listen to a song on demand, even without an internet connection.
Lastly, Spotify has a vested interest in podcasts, as they acquired the Parcast podcast network in a deal involving Joe Rogan. They have also invested $500 million in podcast acquisitions, including the Joe Rogan Experience.
If you want to get started using Spotify, you will need to create an account. Make sure to use the same email you used to sign up for the hosting site. Once you have done that, you will be prompted to enter some details about your podcast.
You can do this in both the desktop and mobile versions of the app. Next, you will need to find the podcast’s RSS feed. Oftentimes, you can access this information via your hosting provider’s dashboard. Alternatively, you can grab a direct link to the show’s listing.
Finally, you’ll need to make sure you’re following the Spotify guidelines. To do that, you’ll need to know the maximum recommended length for your episode. Also, you’ll want to save your cover art as the highest resolution possible.
Of course, the best way to use Spotify to your advantage is to take advantage of their podcasting-specific marketing tools.
New funding model
Spotify has announced that it is going to introduce a new funding model for podcasts. This could have a major impact on the entire podcast ecosystem. The company is planning on introducing paid podcast subscriptions in US today, and it plans to expand to other markets in the future.
In order to offer the service, Spotify will need to invest in tools and resources. This could mean thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars per year, but it also means the company has the potential to make millions of dollars in revenue each year.
Spotify is currently offering four premium plans: Premium Individual, Premium Family, Premium Student, and Premium Duo. Each of these plans offers various benefits. Some of them allow you to create a personalized playlist. You can also add videos and audio to your playlist, which can help you to drive engagement from your listeners.
Spotify plans to launch a Greenroom Creator Fund in June 2021, which will allow individuals and organizations to apply for a grant. The company is also offering a freemium subscription plan for new users.
In addition, Spotify recently acquired podcasting startup Gimlet Media. It has also teamed up with SoundHound and Uber.
According to Spotify, its current subscriber base is 172 million worldwide. In 2020, the company plans to expand its services and increase its monthly active subscribers.
The company is also working on developing a new developer platform. The pricing model for this will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The platform will be priced per developer, and it will be priced on individual customer parameters.
According to Spotify, it will start taking a 5 percent cut of total subscription revenue in 2023. However, it is a little unclear how the subscription integration will work.
In the meantime, creators who choose to offer a subscription plan should point their subscribers to a dedicated Anchor landing webpage. Alternatively, they may decide to host their paid content through Anchor, which is already available on Spotify.
Spotify also wants to become the default app for podcasts. It plans on launching ad-free versions of popular shows in the future. It also aims to increase the amount of premium subscribers it has.
List of email addresses for subscribers
As part of their new foray into podcasting, Spotify is launching a suite of tools that podcasters can use to help their fledgling show make the leap from internet star to bona fide app. Included in the list of goodies are the standard array of features, including a subscriber-only version of the popular NPR show and ad-free versions of popular shows.
To get your hands on all this and more, you’ll need to sign up for a Spotify account and tell the company your RSS feed. Once you have that done, you’re ready to get started.
The aforementioned rss feed will be your ticket to entry, and you’ll have to use the same email address you’re using to access your host’s feed. You can then enter that into the aforementioned portal and you’re good to go.
One of the most useful features of Spotify is the ability to search for a particular show. If you know what you’re looking for, you can find it without a hitch. However, if you’re searching for something a little more random, you may need to dig a bit deeper.
Another way to go about this is to check out a service such as Buzzsprout, which offers free podcast hosting for up to 90 days. After that, you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription fee for additional content. For a reasonable monthly rate, you can have your wares up and running in no time.
Lastly, you can take advantage of Anchor, an all-in-one podcast maker – think of it as iTunes for podcasts. This is a platform that’s designed to let you manage the subscriptions on your behalf, and to deliver a top-notch user experience, all while eliminating the need for you to do any work on your end. It’s also a platform that you can test drive by taking advantage of the 14-day trial offered by their website.
While there’s no tying for first place in the aforementioned award, Spotify is still a worthy addition to your podcasting arsenal, and you can’t beat a good free service for your next project.
Advertising tools
The leading podcast ad platform, Megaphone, has been acquired by Spotify. As part of its podcast advertising strategy, the company plans to introduce a number of new tools to advertisers.
Spotify’s Megaphone Targeted Marketplace will allow podcast publishers to sell advertising slots based on confirmed ad impressions. This technology will make ads more relevant to listeners. Advertisers will also be able to reach specific audiences via the ad network. It’s currently being used by top brands such as Walmart, Starbucks, and Google.
Podcasting is highly fragmented, and smaller publishers often struggle to compete with larger networks. Many of these publishers have to negotiate with multiple podcast creators in order to reach a targeted audience. That’s why Spotify is developing its own podcast advertising technology.
For the first time, advertisers will be able to measure the performance of their podcast ad campaigns. Thanks to its “Streaming Ad Insertion” (SAI) tool, advertisers will be able to track the reach, demographics, and frequency of their target audiences. These insights will help advertisers justify higher ad bids.
In addition, advertisers will be able to target ads based on the context of the show. They will be able to exclude sensitive topics, or to select specific audiences. Some examples include ad targeting for animal shelters.
Spotify will also release a brand safety solution for podcast advertisers. According to the company, this new tech will help to protect advertisers from fraud and misrepresentation. To implement this new technology, the company plans to work with Integral Ad Science.
Integral Ad Science will analyze the podcasting industry and create a suitability reporting tool for advertisers. Together with UM Worldwide, the global media agency that will be the first holding company to test the solution, Integral Ad Science and Spotify will explore the digital audio industry.
With Spotify’s new ad technology, it’s possible to imagine a future in which the company could become a full-fledged podcast ad network. But the ad tech is still in its early stages, so it’s not yet clear how it will affect the podcasting market. However, it’s likely that some advertisers will be more comfortable spending money on third-party podcasts available through the service.