Spotify has initiated a discreet test of a new feature that is generating divided opinions: a button intended to allow users to skip ad segments within podcasts. While this innovation may be well-received by listeners, it concerns content creators who rely on advertising for their shows.
As reported by the website Semafor, the test was implemented a few days ago. This button is specific to advertising segments inserted into the body of the podcast, differentiating it from Spotify's own ads that pause episode playback, which can be skipped using the 15-second forward button.
Semafor informed that the scope of this test is currently limited: only Premium plan subscribers have access to this function, and it only becomes visible when the service's application is active in the foreground, excluding use in the lock screen widget.
The company indicated to media outlets that, because it is an experiment, the official launch of the button is not yet guaranteed. In a statement, Spotify affirmed: 'We regularly conduct tests on Spotify—some become permanent features, while others help guide future product development. We are exploring ways to make the consumption and viewing of podcasts more intuitive for Premium subscribers, based on how people use the platform, with the goal of helping listeners spend more time enjoying podcasts. We will continue to improve the experience as we learn.'
Despite being only in the testing phase, the feature has generated immediate complaints from podcasters and industry professionals. Tommy Vietor, co-founder of the podcast network Crooked Media, expressed his criticism via X, ironically stating: 'It's great that Spotify is trying to destroy the podcast industry. What a great partner!'
Semafor learned that some podcast networks are considering moving their publications to other platforms, such as Apple Podcasts, if the button is officially launched. On the other hand, Spotify claims to content producers that implementing this change could actually strengthen the audience and increase user engagement.
Thousands of Spotify users encountered difficulties listening to music through the browser on Wednesday, the 5th. The web version of the service showed instability and began displaying error messages during the playback process.
According to data collected by DownDetector, failure reports started in the United States and extended to other areas, including Brazil. The first complaints were reported around 12 am, Brasília time, and shortly after, DownDetector was already registering hundreds of notifications from Brazilian users about Spotify.
Although most reports referred to the browser version, some users also mentioned problems with the application and possible connection failures to the servers.
The data compiled by the platform indicated that some internet users saw the message 'Something went wrong' when trying to start playing music. With this instability, users began sharing screenshots on social media, documenting the error presented by the service.
Other people reported that the Spotify Web page kept repeating the failure notification when trying to load a track. Available reports pointed out that the highest concentration of complaints was in the browser version, with fewer records related to the application.
Despite the significant increase in notifications, the official Spotify Status profile on X had not yet formally communicated any platform failure at the time the source made the report.
