Spotify is more than aware of one of the bigger issues preventing it from making bigger profits: Multiple users on one account. Odds are that if your family computer features access to a premium Spotify account, you share it with your kids/parents. Although this saves money, it prevents you from accessing more personalized service because the one account is trying to balance your Dad's love of U2, your mom's love of Enya and your own preference for Napalm Death. The streaming service is rolling out a new plan to tempt you into springing for multiple accounts: family plans.
Spotify Family will allow you to add multiple accounts to your Spotify Premium plan for 50 percent off of the price of a standard account, according to Billboard. As an example, our premium account costs $10 a month but if we wanted to get one for our three cats (who tend to listen to '80s gangsta rap), then we can get each its own subscription for $4.99. Now this plan only applies to up to four family members so don't try to get your whole fraternity on one account.
Ultimately the deal is aimed more at the mobile market, as many premium subscribers prefer to use premium services while on the move. This becomes an issue for families when two or more users are trying to get on the same account at the same time.
"This is one of the most asked for features from our audience," said Ken Parks, Spotify's Chief Content Officer. "With today's announcement we're making it easier than ever for the whole family to experience Spotify Premium on their phones, at home and on the go."
And of course the company would prefer to make money from your family members, rather than have you share with them. It's a very similar idea to Netflix's $11.99 family plan that allows for up to four simultaneous streams at one time.
Family plans will roll out over the next few months, according to Spotify.
