For many of us, Spotify is synonymous with music. We listen on the go, at work, while studying, while exercising... Music is always available, everywhere thanks to streaming. Yet, criticism of the Spotify music service is growing.
Not only artists, but also some listeners feel uncomfortable with how the streaming service works. Ghent University music researcher Edith Van Dyck also has questions.
Attention is more important than music
According to Van Dyck, few users realize how strongly Spotify influences their listening behavior. The algorithm isn't transparent, but much of this was revealed in the book Mood Machine by music journalist Liz Pelly.
"Spotify primarily wants to avoid silence," says Van Dyck. "They use research from music psychology and the humanities to keep you listening for as long as possible. This isn't about your musical enrichment, but about holding your attention."
For example, some music is specifically created by Spotify to fill playlists for specific moods or situations, also called "perfect fit content" within the company. "That music is commissioned," says Van Dyck. Creators do receive compensation, but no royalties. Spotify itself handles the checkout process for every stream. And with AI, it becomes even more complex. You think you're listening to a 'real' artist, but that's not always the case.
Edith Van Dyck: “The idea that money you spend listening to music ultimately goes to war technology is galling.”
Little income for artists
For musicians, the biggest issue is pay. Spotify pays an average of €0.003 to €0.004 per stream. "You have to get thousands of streams to even make a few euros," says Van Dyck. "Moreover, since 2024, artists only receive their money after at least a thousand streams. Anything less yields nothing. So smaller artists are simply missing out."
Yet most musicians stay on Spotify. "Not because they agree with the company's philosophy, but because they have little choice," according to Van Dyck. "Spotify is so dominant that for many artists, leaving feels like shooting themselves in the foot."
CEO investments in focus
But for some artists and listeners, enough was enough in 2025. They deleted their accounts after then-Spotify CEO Daniel Ek personally invested millions in military AI. "A lot of people said at the time: this just feels wrong," says Edith. "The idea that money you spend listening to music will ultimately go to war technology is painful."
Streaming is here to stay
Streaming as the primary way to listen to music won't disappear, according to Van Dyck. "It's too convenient and too commonplace. But that doesn't mean you should remain uncritical of your streaming service. Anyone who wants to can easily switch. It's like switching energy providers: a small step, but a signal nonetheless."
De Vooruitblik
Want to know Edith Van Dyck's vision for Spotify in 2026? Read her contribution to De Vooruitblik, a new project by the University of Flanders, the five Flemish universities, Pelckmans, and VRT.
In "De Vooruitblik" (The Outlook), six Ghent University researchers and twenty colleagues from other universities explain in clear language what you need to know to truly understand the current events of 2026. They don't predict, but analyze and interpret: What major issues are on the table, why are they so critical right now, and what does the world order look like in which they are unfolding?
Edith Van Dyck is a visiting professor at the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy. She also teaches music history at RITCS in Brussels. She prefers to experience music live and in a wide range of genres, with a preference for eclectic styles and screaming guitars.
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