Spotify has changed its new podcast play count feature after facing strong criticism from creators. The streaming platform announced on May 10 that it would begin showing public play counts on all podcasts. According to Spotify, the idea was to help attract more listeners by offering clear data on a show’s popularity. However, this move didn’t sit well with many podcasters, especially those producing smaller or independent shows.
Why podcasters pushed back
Showing play counts would make it easier for people to discover good content. But many podcast creators quickly pointed out that it could do the opposite. If you run a small show, publicly displaying your play count could make your podcast look less appealing compared to one with thousands or millions of plays. This could push new listeners to favour already-popular shows, making it even harder for smaller creators to grow their audience.
Another issue raised was fairness. Unlike other platforms, podcasting has long stood out because it hasn’t focused so much on public numbers. Apple Podcasts, for instance, shows charts and reviews, but it doesn’t reveal actual play counts. In that space, your content can speak for itself. However, adding visible numbers could make podcasting feel like YouTube or Instagram, where popularity often drives success.
Spotify’s updated approach
In response to the criticism, Spotify announced a change in its plans. Rather than displaying play counts for every podcast, the feature will only appear for shows with at least 50,000 plays. Even then, the number won’t update in real time. Instead, you’ll see only rounded milestones, such as 100,000, 1 million, or 10 million plays.
Spotify explained the shift in a blog post: “This update reflects our evolving efforts to provide the best insights for creators and a clear experience for their fans.” The company plans to roll out this revised version of play counts in the coming week.
The debate over ‘plays’ and transparency
Beyond just the numbers, there’s confusion about what a “play” means. Different platforms count things in various ways. For example, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has worked to create standard rules for how podcast plays are counted. This helps advertisers and podcasters make fair deals based on real audience engagement.
However, even with IAB guidance, platforms like Spotify and YouTube still use different standards. According to Podnews, Spotify says a play is when someone “actively tried” to listen to an episode. In contrast, for something to be counted as a “stream” or “download,” the listener must stay for at least 60 seconds.
This inconsistency makes it hard for podcasters to trust the numbers they see or show others fully. It also complicates things for advertisers who rely on clear data when deciding where to place ads.
While Spotify’s update is a small win for creators worried about fairness, the wider debate about podcast transparency and metrics continues. If you’re a podcaster or a fan, you’ll likely keep seeing changes in how platforms present and count your favourite shows.
