Spotify generally uses the "pro rata model" for the distribution of revenues. This means that artists are not paid according to the actual plays/streams achieved, but according to their share of all streams worldwide. There are also different "distribution categories" - depending on the month, country of origin of the stream and type of customer account (subscription vs. freemium).
Subscription type
Spotify generates revenue from subscription fees but also from advertising revenue. A stream generated via a freemium subscription, for example, is worth less than a stream generated via a family subscription. Streams on a premium account, on the other hand, generate more revenue per click. Streams generated via a Spotify test account are not remunerated initially and then gradually until the end of the test phase.
Country
A Spotify subscription does not cost the same in every country. In England, for example, a Spotify subscription is more expensive than in Germany. This means that there are also corresponding differences in the payment per play, depending on the country.
Minimum number of streams
Only songs that have achieved at least 1000 streams from at least 50 different Spotify accounts in the last 12 months are taken into account. If a track has been streamed less than 1000 times and/or from less than 50 different Spotify accounts in a running period of 12 months, these streams will not be remunerated.
Content
"Functional content" - for example, songs that only consist of natural sounds, white noise or similar - are only remunerated if they have a minimum duration of 2 minutes. These streams are also worth significantly less than music streams.
Spotify Discovery Mode
When your song is played via Spotify Discovery Mode, Spotify keeps 30% of the revenue.
Unfortunately, it is therefore impossible to say exactly how much Spotify pays out per stream, as not every stream is worth the same. You will find a detailed list of your Spotify income in your reports.
You can find more information here: