That $0.003 to $0.005 figure might feel tiny. Here’s why: • Billions of streams: Divide the total revenue by all those plays, and each one is a small slice • Licensing costs: Spotify pays labels, publishers, and songwriters first, leaving a smaller pool for artists • Free vs. Premium users: Free listeners generate less revenue than Premium subscribers, dragging the average down Real-World Snapshot: If your song hits 100 million streams, 100,000,000 × $0.004 = $400,000 before anyone else takes a cut. So while per-stream feels low, volume can translate into real money.

The platform doesn’t pay podcasters directly. However, it does offer tools to integrate ads, and Spotify pays subscription proceeds once you create pay-to-view content.

Podcasters can use the Podcast Subscription Program with a free Spotify account. They receive 100% of the subscription earnings minus transaction and payment processing fees.