Spotify has had a strong start to the year, adding 5 million new premium subscribers in the first quarter. That’s a 12% rise compared to last year’s period, bringing the total number of paying users to 268 million. It’s the second-highest subscriber count ever for the company and the largest number of premium additions in a first quarter since 2020.
In its latest financial update, shared on April 29, Spotify also revealed it reached a record operating income of €509 million—around US$528 million. While this figure fell short of the company’s own forecast of €548 million (US$625 million), it still marks a significant milestone in Spotify’s continued growth.
Revenue also rose 15% year over year, bringing in €4.2 billion (roughly US$4.8 billion) during the quarter.
User numbers continue to climb
Spotify’s monthly active user base also grew. The platform now serves 678 million monthly active users (MAUs), including 423 million on its free, ad-supported tier. These figures underline Spotify’s global reach and ability to keep expanding in a competitive market.
The growth follows the company’s milestone last quarter, when it posted an operating income of €477 million (US$509 million), confirming a profitable trend after years of investment and expansion.
Outpacing rivals and rewarding creators
Spotify continues to hold its lead in the music streaming world, keeping ahead of rivals like Apple Music and Amazon Music. But it’s not just about music anymore. Spotify is focusing more on video content, particularly podcasts, to strengthen its platform. Today, over 330,000 video podcasts are available to users.
The company’s Spotify Partner Program plays a key role in this growth. In the first quarter alone, it paid more than US$100 million to podcast creators. This investment signals Spotify’s ongoing effort to attract top talent and provide more diverse content to listeners.
Expanding AI features to more countries
In addition to its financial and user growth, Spotify is pushing forward with new features. Its AI Playlist tool, which uses artificial intelligence to help users build personalised playlists, is now available in more than 40 countries. New markets include the Bahamas, Fiji, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, and Singapore.
This wider rollout shows Spotify’s commitment to delivering innovative experiences to its global audience and staying ahead in the fast-moving world of digital entertainment.
