2006 founded Standing
music · spotify.com
Spotify
the moat is real
20 years 119 days and counting
Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, 2006, Stockholm. Still the default paid listening.
Why it lasted
- It won the 'all the music in a rectangle' war against piracy and then against the stores.
- Playlists as social objects. Discover Weekly as a habit.
- Podcasts and audiobooks are the hedge. Music is still the reason.
Times it almost ended
- Label negotiations that could have pulled the catalog. They always almost do.
- Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon: the phone vendor always has a bundle. Spotify kept the identity of being a music person.
What would finish it
- Artists actually leaving en masse for a fairer store, plus Apple making Music the only nice player on the phone. Always one deal away.
Questions
Is Spotify still up?
Yes, with a Standing verdict: the moat is real. Founded 2006.
How long has Spotify been around?
Spotify has been up since 2006-04-23.
Why did Spotify survive?
It won the 'all the music in a rectangle' war against piracy and then against the stores.
Could Spotify still die?
Artists actually leaving en masse for a fairer store, plus Apple making Music the only nice player on the phone. Always one deal away.