🔵 Spotify payouts: a snapshot of what Joe Public thinks

I fed 900+ comments into ChatGPT to run a sentiment analysis, and the results are... telling.

Something I am often quite keen to establish, when discussing music industry topics, is what Joe Public thinks. The music industry can be quite a bubble, and often something we all miss is that - unsurprisingly - those working in music care deeply about the artform and the performers etc.

Joe Public, on the other hand, can often hold quite a different view. Historically, it has been interesting - and a little depressing at points - to see people discussing the likes of Spotify, as it provides a more real world insight into sentiment.

To that end, when the BBC posted an article yesterday about Spotify’s latest Loud & Clear update (which details how much it has paid to rights holders - essentially all set up as something of a marketing/propaganda effort for the company), I was excited to see that the piece was open for comments, and that over 900 people had offered their thoughts.

This is one area where AI can be extremely helpful, so I fed all 900+ comments into ChatGPT, asking it to run some analysis of what it found.

Here, in full, is its response. I’ve not edited anything here (including US spellings) and you can read the original prompt and response here as proof that what is below is verbatim.

Let’s see what it said:

“The comments in the document reflect overwhelmingly negative sentiment toward Spotify, with users expressing frustration about its impact on musicians and the broader music industry. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key themes and sentiments:

1. Criticism of Spotify’s Payment Model

Many commenters argue that Spotify’s royalty distribution model is deeply flawed and disproportionately favors a small group of top-tier artists and major labels. Several users highlight that:

• Most artists earn mere pennies from thousands of streams.

• The majority of Spotify’s revenue benefits major stars while independent or lesser-known musicians struggle.

• Session musicians and supporting artists see no financial benefit from streaming at all.

Example comments:

• “Spotify is a cancer on the creative music industries.” (mudtree)

• “A track has to be streamed around 1,000 times to earn 1 cent.” (Tim Baker)

• “Spotify rakes in billions while paying artists peanuts.” (vW4)

Sentiment: Strongly negative. Many see Spotify as an exploitative platform that fails to fairly compensate artists.

2. Streaming Has Made Music Less Valuable

Many users lament that Spotify and similar platforms have devalued recorded music by creating an expectation that unlimited access should cost very little. They point out that:

• The streaming model has shifted the primary income source from music sales to live performances, making it harder for artists who can’t tour.

• People no longer feel ownership over the music they listen to.

• The system forces artists to focus on quantity over quality.

Example comments:

• “Spotify like all streaming services, pays a pittance to artists.” (Original Recipe Ianmoticon)

• “If a tune is played on the radio or TV, it is heard by thousands, and they get paid. One stream should get a tiny percentage of a penny in revenue.” (Brontosaurus)

• “I only buy CDs and rip them to my phone. At least then I own the music and royalties go to the artist and record company.” (Halloween Man)

Sentiment: Negative, with some nostalgia for the days when buying music directly supported artists.

3. Alternative Platforms Suggested

Some commenters promote alternative platforms, especially Bandcamp, which is perceived as more artist-friendly. Bandcamp is frequently praised for:

• Allowing direct purchases where artists receive a greater share of revenue.

• Supporting lesser-known or independent musicians.

Example comments:

• “Bandcamp treats artists much better, and also promotes lesser-known artists and genres.” (planetShhhh)

• “Use Bandcamp instead. Money goes to artists, not the leeches.” (bluen0se1875)

Sentiment: Mixed. While users appreciate that alternatives exist, they recognize that Spotify's dominance makes it difficult for musicians to avoid.

4. Streaming’s Effect on Music Quality

Many users argue that Spotify’s model incentivizes “bland” or formulaic music that maximizes streaming numbers rather than artistic creativity. Some users blame algorithms for reinforcing mainstream, commercial music at the expense of niche or experimental artists.

Example comments:

• “Music has been standardised/homogenised and factory-made for attracting streams.” (Trumped)

• “There is no ‘second tier’ of stars making decent money. There are no bands anymore.” (Brian Equator)

Sentiment: Negative. Many feel that streaming services have led to a decline in musical diversity.

5. Suggestions for Reform

A few commenters propose solutions, such as:

• Higher subscription prices: Some believe that access to unlimited music for £10 a month is unsustainable and devalues the product.

• Fairer artist compensation models: A suggestion that payments should be tied more directly to actual streams rather than a pooled revenue model.

• More artist control: Encouraging musicians to band together and demand better terms from streaming platforms.

Example comments:

• “If artists truly believe they are getting ripped off, they should get together and create a new streaming service.” (Steve Sutton)

• “We need an overhaul of the whole sector. Access to virtually all recorded music for £10 a month is ridiculous.” (RealisticGooner)

Sentiment: Mixed. While these comments recognize the issue, some express skepticism that meaningful change will happen.

6. Some Support for Spotify

A small minority of commenters defend Spotify, arguing that:

• Streaming helped reduce music piracy.

• Artists have the choice to not be on Spotify.

• Spotify does pay out a lot of money, but labels and publishers take most of it.

Example comments:

• “Spotify saved the music industry. Everyone was pirating before.” (McMaddon)

• “It’s only a tenner a month for a huge variety of music, which I listen to only via my phone’s speakers. Any loss of quality is lost on me.” (Steve Sutton)

Sentiment: Mildly positive, but significantly outweighed by criticism.

7. Skepticism Towards the BBC’s Coverage

Some users suggest that the BBC’s article is biased in favor of Spotify, portraying the company in an overly positive light.

Example comments:

• “Aww, how cute, the BBC wants to paint Spotify as the saviour of the music industry.” (Scott)

• “This is client journalism at its most transparent.” (mjhans101)

Sentiment: Negative toward media coverage, with suspicions of corporate influence.

Conclusion

The overall sentiment in the comments is overwhelmingly negative toward Spotify, with criticisms focused on its unfair payment model, the perceived devaluation of music, and its impact on artists' livelihoods. While a few users defend streaming as a necessary evolution, most express frustration with how it affects musicians, with many advocating for alternative platforms or major reforms.”

As I keep stating, I feel there’s a palpable shift in sentiment towards Spotify, and I’d argue these comments only lend weight to that. Doubtless points can be made that people tend to comment more when they have negative things to say, but I still think the sheer majority of comments being negative is still a telling reflection of wider sentiment.

I guess the question remains though: when will people care enough to cancel and find other means to enjoy music? Talk is one thing. Action is another.

Have a great evening,

D.

🎶 Listening to “Eleven PRESSURE night classics - Playlist by The Bug” on YouTube. This selection of the greatest tracks played at the PRESSURE nights run by Kevin Martin AKA The Bug is quite something. Ferocious bass, incredible production - it’s a gem of a thing. And the Now Thing riddim makes everything better, heheh.

📺 Watching “Paradise” on Disney+. Controversial view: I abandoned watching Severance after about 5 episodes as it was just too slow to keep me engaged. Paradise, on the other hand, had had me gripped and I’m only 2 episodes in. Recommended.

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Notes & followups in dispatches:

• I am also looking for a professional podcast studio (or radio station) to record a new show with my buddy Wrongtom. It needs to be either around Soho, or around Liverpool St/Shoreditch if possible. We just need the usual setup: mics and means to play music. Recommendations welcome! Thank you!

• I put my radio presenting hat back on last week to record a show with Wrongtom for Soho Radio. The show was a tribute to Roberta Flack, but also taking in Les McCann and Eugene McDaniels along the way. It airs this Saturday at 6pm UK on Soho Radio.

• I’m still posting over on Bluesky too, so if you want hot takes on stories as they break etc, follow me over there. 🦋

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