Spotify has revolutionised the way we consume music, offering an extensive library of songs, albums, and podcasts at our fingertips. However, users on the free tier are all too familiar with the frequent interruptions of advertisements. These ads can disrupt the listening experience, often prompting users to consider upgrading to Spotify Premium. While Premium provides an ad-free experience along with additional features, not everyone is keen to pay for the service. Fortunately, there are various methods to block ads on Spotify without subscribing to Premium.
Considering Spotify Premium
Before diving into ad-blocking methods, it’s worth considering the benefits of Spotify Premium. Premium not only eliminates ads but also grants access to features such as offline downloads, higher audio quality, unlimited skips, and time-synced lyrics. Additionally, Spotify often offers discounts on Premium subscriptions, making it more affordable. Despite these perks, many users may still prefer to stick with the free tier, necessitating the need for ad-blocking solutions.
Understanding Spotify Ad Blockers
Ad blockers for Spotify come in two main forms: those that remove ads entirely and those that mute ads when they play. It’s important to note that these blockers do not grant access to all Premium features. Moreover, using modified Spotify clients to gain Premium features for free carries risks such as account bans or security threats from malicious applications.
Blocking Ads on Spotify’s Web Player
For users who prefer Spotify’s web player, browser extensions can effectively block ads. The most popular option is uBlock Origin, a versatile ad blocker that can be configured to target Spotify ads specifically. However, this extension blocks ads across all websites, which may not be ideal for everyone. For a more focused approach, Blockify is a Chrome extension designed to block only Spotify ads, leaving ads on other websites untouched.
Blocking Ads on Spotify’s Windows App
Blocking ads on Spotify’s Windows app requires downloading the app directly from Spotify’s website, as these solutions do not work with the Microsoft Store version. Two prominent tools for Windows are BlockTheSpot and BurntSushi.
BlockTheSpot: This ad blocker modifies the Spotify client to remove audio, video, and banner ads. It also hides the Upgrade button and claims to maintain functionality even after Spotify updates. However, it does not enable music downloads.
BurntSushi: Unlike BlockTheSpot, BurntSushi blocks ads by intercepting network requests. This method is potentially more resilient to updates. Both tools have been reliable for years, offering users different approaches to achieve an ad-free experience.
Blocking Ads on Mac and Linux
Mac users can turn to BlockTheSpot-Mac, a version of BlockTheSpot tailored for macOS. Installation involves downloading the Spotify app, quitting it, and following instructions on the GitHub page to set up the ad blocker.
For Linux users, Spotify-adblock is available, but compatibility with specific Linux distributions should be verified before installation. Additionally, Spicetify offers a command-line interface solution for those comfortable with such tools, providing an alternative method to manage and block ads.
Muting Ads on Android
On Android devices, completely blocking ads on the Spotify app is challenging, but muting them is a viable option. Mutify is an app designed to mute Spotify ads. Users need to enable Device Broadcast Status in Spotify’s settings, allowing Mutify to detect when ads are playing and mute the audio. This method doesn’t block ads entirely but significantly reduces the annoyance by silencing them.
While Spotify Premium offers a seamless and feature-rich listening experience, various ad-blocking methods can make the free tier more bearable for users unwilling or unable to pay for Premium. From browser extensions to specialised apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, there are numerous ways to enjoy Spotify without the constant interruption of ads. However, users should remain cautious about the potential risks associated with third-party tools and modified clients. As Spotify continues to evolve, these methods may need updating or replacing, but for now, they offer a practical solution to one of the free tier’s biggest drawbacks.
