The topic Spotify’s newest feature lets you focus on audio without distractions is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
Spotify has introduced a new universal switch for making the app all about audio. No, it’s not a toggle for hiding podcasts and audiobooks, but it does turn off almost all videos.
Spotify suggests users want a way to disable video features as a way to make the app less distracting and more about listening to audio.
For that reason, the app is adding Videos and Canvas controls for toggling off different video types. This was already available as a parental control feature for younger users.
Users can disable music videos, which even turns live video performances into audio-only streams. Canvas is a separate toggle, which disables “short, looping visuals” that appear when music plays.
And finally, there’s a control for “All other videos” which includes vertical videos and creator videos, including video podcasts. These will play as audio-only if toggled off.
Rolling out globally starting today, Family Plan managers will be able to switch video content on or off for any plan members through their subscription settings. […]
We’ll also be introducing new settings so all Premium and Basic users—whether on Individual, Duo, Family, or Student plans—and all users on our free service can control how video appears in their app. The settings update will begin rolling out to all users globally this month.
The new controls can be found in Spotify’s Settings > Content and display > Videos and Canvas. Spotify says the toggle won’t affect video ads, and some ads will still include Canvas-like motion visuals.