FLASH DIARIO de El Siglo 21 es Hoy · @LocutorCo

Spotify sin videos

·13 min·1 clip

Spotify finally lets users turn off all videos, including music videos and looping backgrounds, starting April 2026.

The episode begins by announcing Spotify's new feature to turn off videos, a long-awaited option for users frustrated by the app's increasing visual clutter. Host Félix Riaño explains that this will apply to all video types: music videos, Canvas loops, video podcasts, and vertical clips. The rollout starts in April 2026 and will reach all users gradually, with family plan administrators able to control settings for other members. Riaño reflects on Spotify's shift over the years, starting with Canvas loops in 2018, then video podcasts in 2020, and full music videos in 2024 to compete with YouTube. This transformed Spotify from an audio app into a video-heavy platform, altering user behavior by encouraging screen time instead of background listening. The new settings allow users to disable three categories: music videos, Canvas, and all other videos, with configurations syncing across devices. Riaño notes that short videos boost engagement and ad revenue but also cause fatigue and distraction, especially for younger users. He mentions existing parental controls, with about 60% of parents having video disabled for children under 13. Practical concerns like data usage and battery drain are highlighted, as videos consume more resources than audio. Spotify's decision balances user control with its growth strategy, keeping video as an option but not imposing it. Importantly, video ads will continue to show even if other videos are turned off, preserving Spotify's ad-based revenue model. Riaño connects this to broader tech trends, referencing recent lawsuits against Meta and YouTube over addictive designs and mental health impacts. He suggests regulatory pressure might be influencing Spotify's move toward user empowerment. The episode cites a user divide: over 70% of users report video enhances their experience, while a minority, including Riaño, prefer less visual distraction. Spotify's pragmatic solution avoids alienating either group by letting users choose. The feature is available on all plans, including free tiers, indicating it's a strategic shift rather than a premium add-on. Riaño concludes by expressing personal approval for the change, framing it as a small but impactful daily improvement for diverse user preferences.

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