Spotify, founded by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, publicly launched its streaming service in October 2008 in Sweden and helped transform how people access, discover and monetise music worldwide
Founding and launch
Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon started Spotify with the goal of offering a legal, on‑demand alternative to music piracy that would be convenient for users and financially sustainable for rights holders. The service launched to the public in October 2008 in Sweden, initially by invitation and later opening to a broader audience as the platform scaled its catalogue and infrastructure.
Product innovation
Spotify popularised streaming with a polished desktop client and later mobile apps that provided instant access to millions of tracks without requiring downloads. It combined freemium access with advertising and premium subscriptions, introduced algorithmic recommendations and made personalised playlists a central discovery mechanism for listeners.
Features and evolution
Over time Spotify expanded beyond music to include podcasts, curated and algorithmic playlists, social sharing features and integrations with third‑party devices and platforms. Continuous product iteration introduced features such as Discover Weekly, Wrapped year‑end summaries and tools for creators and advertisers, broadening the platform’s role in the audio ecosystem.
Industry impact
Spotify’s arrival reshaped revenue models in the music industry by emphasising streaming royalties and data‑driven promotion. The platform altered how listeners discover new artists, how labels plan releases and how independent creators reach audiences, accelerating a global shift from ownership of tracks to access through subscription and ad‑supported models.
Legacy and future
Starting as a Swedish startup in 2008, Spotify grew into a global audio leader that influenced technology, culture and business practices across music and audio content. Its continued focus on personalised experiences, creator tools and new formats suggests streaming will remain central to how people consume audio for years to come.