Music streaming has revolutionized the way we consume music, and Spotify is one of the most popular platforms in the world. With over 200 million active users, Spotify offers a free and premium version of its service. While the premium version offers ad-free listening, offline playback, and unlimited skips, the free version has some limitations. One of the most critical limitations is the number of skips allowed. But, have you ever wondered how many skips you can make on Spotify Free PC?
Understanding Spotify Free: The Basics
Before we dive into the number of skips, let’s quickly go over the basics of Spotify Free. Spotify Free is a free version of the music streaming service that allows users to stream music online. While it’s free, it comes with some limitations, including:
- Advertisements: Spotify Free displays ads periodically, which can be annoying, especially during long listening sessions.
- Limited skips: As we’ll discuss in detail, Spotify Free has a limited number of skips, which can restrict your music listening experience.
- Low-quality audio: Spotify Free streams music at a lower quality (128 kbps) compared to the premium version (320 kbps).
Despite these limitations, Spotify Free is an excellent way to discover new music, create playlists, and listen to your favorite tracks.
Skips on Spotify Free: The General Rule
So, how many skips do you get on Spotify Free? The general rule is that you can skip up to 6 tracks per hour. This means that if you’re listening to a playlist or a radio station, you can skip up to 6 tracks within an hour before you’re forced to listen to the same song again.
However, there’s a catch. Spotify has a 30-second wait period between skips. This means that if you skip a track, you’ll have to wait for 30 seconds before you can skip another track. This wait period is designed to prevent users from skipping through an entire playlist or radio station.
Skips on Spotify Free: The Fine Print
While the general rule is 6 skips per hour, there are some exceptions and nuances to consider:
- You can only skip 6 tracks per hour on the same playlist or radio station. If you switch to a different playlist or radio station, the skip counter resets.
- You can’t skip the same track twice. If you skip a track and then try to skip it again, you won’t be able to do so. You’ll have to wait until the track finishes playing or skip to a different track.
- Skips are only limited on the desktop app. On mobile devices, you can skip tracks unlimited times, but you’ll still have to deal with ads and lower audio quality.
Skips on Spotify Free: The Hacks
While Spotify has implemented these limitations to encourage users to upgrade to the premium version, there are some workarounds to get more skips on Spotify Free:
- Create multiple playlists: If you have multiple playlists, you can switch between them to reset the skip counter. This hack allows you to skip more tracks than the usual 6 per hour.
- Use the “I don’t like this song” button: If you don’t like a particular track, you can click the “I don’t like this song” button instead of skipping it. This won’t count towards your skip limit, and Spotify will try to suggest a more suitable track.
- Use third-party apps: There are some third-party apps available that claim to bypass Spotify’s skip limitations. However, be cautious when using these apps, as they might violate Spotify’s terms of service.
Skips on Spotify Free: The Verdict
While the skip limitations on Spotify Free can be frustrating, they’re a necessary evil to keep the service free. With some creativity and workarounds, you can still enjoy a decent music listening experience on Spotify Free. However, if you’re a heavy music listener, it’s worth considering upgrading to the premium version for unlimited skips, ad-free listening, and offline playback.
| Spotify Feature | Free Version | Premium Version |
|---|---|---|
| Skips | 6 tracks per hour, with 30-second wait period | Unlimited skips |
| Advertisements | Periodic ads | Ad-free listening |
| Audio Quality | 128 kbps | 320 kbps |
| Offline Playback | No offline playback | Offline playback available |
By understanding the skip limitations on Spotify Free, you can make the most of the service and enjoy a great music listening experience.
How many skips do I really get on Spotify Free?
You get a limited number of skips on Spotify Free, but the exact number isn’t fixed. Spotify’s algorithm adjusts the number of skips based on your listening habits and the type of content you’re playing. Generally, you can expect to get around 6-8 skips per hour, but this can vary. It’s also worth noting that you can only skip a maximum of 6 times in a 30-minute window.
Keep in mind that Spotify Free is an ad-supported service, and the limiting skips is one way the company encourages users to upgrade to Spotify Premium. If you find yourself hitting the skip limit frequently, you might consider upgrading to Premium, which offers unlimited skips and ad-free listening.
What happens if I hit my skip limit on Spotify Free?
If you hit your skip limit on Spotify Free, you’ll see a message indicating that you’ve reached your limit. At this point, you won’t be able to skip tracks for a certain period, usually around 30 minutes. During this time, you can still listen to music, but you’ll have to listen to the current track in its entirety before moving on to the next one.
Don’t worry, though – your skip limit will reset after the time period is up, and you’ll get a fresh set of skips. You can also try closing and reopening the app or desktop client to see if the limit resets early. However, be aware that frequent skip limit hits might lead to a temporary or permanent ban on your account, so use those skips wisely!
Can I get more skips on Spotify Free?
Unfortunately, there’s no official way to increase your skip limit on Spotify Free. The limit is set by Spotify’s algorithm, and it’s designed to encourage users to upgrade to Premium. However, you can try some workarounds to get more skips. For instance, you can try closing and reopening the app or desktop client, as mentioned earlier.
Another way to get more skips is to use a different device or account to listen to music. If you have multiple devices or accounts, you can try switching between them to get a fresh set of skips. Keep in mind that abusing this workaround might lead to account restrictions or bans, so use it responsibly.
Is Spotify Free worth it if I only get a limited number of skips?
Spotify Free is still a great option for casual listeners or those on a budget. Even with the limited skips, you get access to millions of tracks, playlists, and features like Discover Weekly and Release Radar. You can also create your own playlists and listen to music on demand.
While the skip limit can be frustrating, you can still enjoy a great listening experience on Spotify Free. Plus, you can always try out Spotify Premium for free for a month to see if the unlimited skips and ad-free listening are worth the upgrade.
What are some alternatives to Spotify Free?
If you’re not satisfied with Spotify Free’s skip limit, you might consider alternatives like Apple Music, Tidal, or Amazon Music. These services offer their own free trials or ad-supported options with varying skip limits. You might find that one of these services better suits your listening habits and preferences.
Keep in mind that each service has its own unique features and limitations, so it’s worth exploring them before making a switch. You might also consider using free music streaming services like YouTube Music or SoundCloud, which offer different features and monetization models.
Can I upgrade to Spotify Premium to get unlimited skips?
Yes, you can upgrade to Spotify Premium to get unlimited skips, ad-free listening, and other premium features. Spotify Premium is a paid subscription service that starts at $9.99/month for individual plans. You can upgrade through the Spotify app or website, and you’ll get a free trial period to test out the premium features.
With Spotify Premium, you’ll get unlimited skips, offline playback, and high-quality audio streaming. You’ll also get access to exclusive content, like behind-the-scenes stories and podcasts. If you listen to music frequently, Spotify Premium is definitely worth considering.
Will Spotify ever remove the skip limit on Spotify Free?
It’s unlikely that Spotify will remove the skip limit on Spotify Free in the near future. The skip limit is a key differentiator between the free and premium services, and it encourages users to upgrade to Spotify Premium. Spotify has experimented with different skip limits and features on Spotify Free, but the core concept remains the same.
That being said, Spotify is constantly evolving and testing new features, so it’s possible that the company might revisit the skip limit in the future. If you’re unhappy with the skip limit, you can always provide feedback to Spotify or try out alternative services.