Spotify Streams vs Spotify Monthly Listeners

Aug 13

Are you an artist or a music enthusiast? If so, you may have noticed that Spotify streams and monthly listeners aren't the same. While both are crucial in evaluating your presence and popularity on the platform, they serve different purposes.

I’m here to clarify what these terms mean, how to track them, and why they’re important for your music career.

How Does Spotify Count a Stream for a Song?

A Spotify stream is counted when your track is played for at least 30 seconds. So, every time someone listens to 30 seconds or more of your song, it adds one more stream to the count. This will show up the next day on your artist profile in Spotify for Artists.

However, beware of trying to game the system. Spotify can remove your streams and even delete your tracks or account if they detect fraudulent activity. Buying streams or followers is not a sustainable way to grow your career.

On the positive side, streams are vital for earning royalties from Spotify. The more streams you accumulate, the higher your earnings will be!

FAQ: Do Spotify Plays Count if the Song Is Muted?

Spotify does not count streams if the song is muted. For a stream to be counted, the music must be audible.

FAQ: Does Spotify Count Streams on Repeat?

Yes, Spotify counts each play as a stream if a track is listened to for at least 30 seconds. So if someone plays your song twice, each for 30 seconds or more, it will be counted as two streams.

What Does "Monthly Listeners" on Spotify Mean?

When you visit an artist’s page on Spotify, you’ll often see their name, photo, a blue checkmark if they’re verified, and the number of monthly listeners. But what exactly does Spotify count as a monthly listener?

Monthly listeners on Spotify refer to the number of unique individuals who have streamed your music at least once within a 28-day period. The key term here is “unique listeners.”

The number of times a listener plays your music does not affect the monthly listener count; it’s based purely on the number of distinct listeners.

What’s the Difference Between Spotify Streams and Monthly Listeners?

To keep it simple:

Spotify Streams: The total number of times a song has been played.
Monthly Listeners: The number of unique people who have listened to your music within a 28-day period.

For example, if you release a new song and one fan listens to it on repeat for two weeks while another listens just once, both are counted as monthly listeners. However, the first fan’s repeated listens will add to your total stream count but not to your monthly listeners.

Additional Tips to Keep in Mind:

If your streams are increasing while your monthly listeners remain steady, it likely means the same people are repeatedly playing your music.
Monthly listener numbers can fluctuate, but stream counts always add up.
A consistent increase in both listeners and streams is a great indicator of growing popularity.

How Can You Check Your Monthly Listeners?

Tracking your monthly listeners over time gives you valuable insight into how your music is resonating with your audience. You can view this data on your artist page, which updates daily.

It’s important to note that unlike streams, monthly listener counts do not accumulate over time. You’ll need to keep working to maintain and grow this number.

How Do Spotify Streams and Monthly Listeners Impact Artists?

Both Spotify streams and monthly listeners are crucial metrics for musicians. They affect how much Spotify pays you and where you rank on Spotify’s charts and playlists.

Spotify pays artists based on the number of streams their music generates in comparison to all streams on the platform. The payout per stream varies based on factors like the listener’s location, currency, and subscription type.

The number of monthly listeners is also essential as it reflects your reach and potential for exposure. More listeners increase your chances of being featured on popular playlists, leading to more streams and followers.

What Matters More: More Streams or More Listeners?

Having more streams than listeners is generally a positive sign for your music.

Here’s why:

If streams exceed listeners, it means your fans are listening to multiple tracks.
A higher stream-to-listener ratio indicates that fans are replaying your music.
This favorable ratio helps the Spotify algorithm recommend your music more frequently, increasing your chances of appearing on playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly.

How Many Monthly Listeners Is Good on Spotify?

It depends on your goals and how engaged your listeners are. If you have between 10,000 and 50,000 monthly listeners, and most of them are dedicated fans, you’re in a good place, potentially earning between $100 and $600 per month or more.

How Many Monthly Spotify Listeners Are Needed to Make a Living?

Let’s do some math:

If each of your monthly listeners generates 4 streams on average, you would need around 200,000 monthly listeners to earn about $2,000 per month. If they only provide 2 streams each, you’d need closer to 400,000 listeners for the same income.

So, anything above 200,000 listeners would be a solid milestone for a sustainable music career!

How Many Monthly Listeners Does It Take to Be Famous?

Fame is subjective, and there’s no set number that defines it. For example, some artists with fewer than 100,000 monthly listeners may still draw large live audiences. Popularity varies across different genres, so success should be measured by more than just monthly listeners.

How Many Monthly Listeners Do the Biggest Artists Have?

Here are some examples:

The Weeknd: Over 106 million monthly listeners

Taylor Swift: Over 90 million

Ed Sheeran: Over 86 million

Miley Cyrus: Over 77 million

Checklist to Get 3,000,000+ Spotify Streams

Create High-Quality Music: Ensure your music is well-produced, unique, and resonates with your audience.
Utilize Spotify Playlists: Aim to get your music on both Spotify-curated and user-generated playlists to increase your exposure.
Promote on Social Media: Be active on social media, sharing previews, and engaging with your audience.
Collaborate with Other Artists: Partnering with artists in your genre can help you reach new listeners.
Engage with Fans: Respond to comments, share fan content, and interact with your audience through live sessions.
Consider Paid Advertising: Paid promotions can help boost your streams and reach new listeners.
Keep Your Profile Updated: Ensure your Spotify artist profile is complete with current information and attractive visuals.
Consistently Release New Music: Regularly dropping new tracks keeps your audience engaged and increases your chances of being featured on playlists.
Use Spotify Analytics: Leverage the data available on Spotify for Artists to refine your strategies.
Seek Professional Help: A music promotion service could provide the extra push needed to reach your streaming goals.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between Spotify streams and monthly listeners is essential for any artist. Streams measure how often your songs are played, while monthly listeners count the unique individuals who listen to your music within a 28-day period.

These metrics not only affect your earnings but also influence your ranking on Spotify’s charts and your overall visibility. Focus on creating high-quality music, leveraging playlists, actively promoting your tracks, and engaging with your audience to grow both your streams and listeners.

Every listener counts, and each stream contributes to your success. Stay persistent, release new music regularly, and continuously hone your craft.

Looking for a way to take your music career to the next level? MRNA is here to help! We specialize in connecting artists with top playlist curators on Spotify, ensuring your music gets the attention it deserves. Join us today and start making your mark in the music industry!

Edward Morton

Edward Morton is a passionate music blogger known for his insightful reviews and eclectic taste. With a background in both classical music and modern production, Edward brings a unique perspective to his writing, blending technical knowledge with a deep appreciation for all genres. He started his blog, "Norton's Notes," in 2015, quickly gaining a dedicated following for his honest, detailed critiques and his ability to uncover hidden gems in the music world.

Edward grew up in a musical family in Seattle, where he learned to play the piano and guitar at a young age. His love for music led him to study music theory and composition at the University of Washington. After graduating, he worked as a freelance music producer, which gave him an insider's view of the industry and fueled his desire to share his insights through writing.

Edward's writing is known for its eloquence and depth, often exploring the emotional and cultural contexts of the music he reviews. He is a regular contributor to several well-known music magazines and websites, and his work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and NPR Music.

In addition to his writing, Edward is an avid vinyl collector and hosts a weekly podcast where he interviews musicians and industry insiders. His ability to connect with artists and convey their stories has made his podcast a favorite among music enthusiasts.

Outside of his professional life, Edward enjoys hiking in the Pacific Northwest, attending live concerts, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. His passion for music and his commitment to sharing it with the world continue to inspire his readers and listeners alike.