Spotify dominates market share but lags in global subscribers [IMS Business Report]

According to the 2023 IMS Business Report, Spotify dominates the market share in the music streaming industry with a 30.5% share. However, the report also reveals that the platform lags behind in global music subscribers, with less than a third of the total number of subscribers worldwide.

Spotify dominates the market share, is one of the many interesting highlights that was published by the IMS (International Music Summit) this year. But the data also reveals that the platform may be lagging in terms of global music subscribers with stiff competition from other online streaming platforms.

Spotify has come a long way since its launch in 2008. The platform has successfully attracted millions of users, thanks to its vast library of songs, personalized playlists, and curated content. The platform’s early start and ability to adapt to changing user preferences have allowed it to maintain its position as a leader in the music streaming industry. However, despite its success, Spotify faces fierce competition from other streaming platforms like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. These platforms have been gaining ground in recent years and have amassed large numbers of subscribers worldwide.

The IMS Business Report 2023 has provided valuable insights into the market share of music streaming services. As per the report, Spotify currently holds the top spot with a 30.5% market share, followed by Apple Music at 13.7%, Tencent Music at 13.4%, Amazon Music at 13.3%, and YouTube Music at 8.9%. The remaining market shares are held by other services such as Deezer, Yandex, NetEase, and more. This data highlights the competitive nature of the industry, with several major players vying for a significant share of the market. It also emphasizes the need for these services to continually innovate and adapt to remain relevant and competitive.

Notably, emerging markets, particularly China, are driving the strongest growth in the industry, and their increasing influence on global music culture is set to shape the mid-to-long-term future of music streaming. As these markets continue to see fast user growth, their impact on the industry will only continue to grow.

In 2022, the growth of subscribers outpaced the growth of subscription revenue. While this resulted in a lower average revenue per user (ARPU), it also indicates a strong underlying consumer demand for music streaming services, even during difficult economic times. Although Spotify remains the leading player in the industry, it is just one part of an increasingly diverse and nuanced market, with YouTube and Amazon gaining ground.