Spotify Play Button embeds unlimited music on the web
updated 07:50 am EDT, Wed April 11, 2012
Spotify now has pseudo-embedded audio option
Spotify on Wednesday hoped to give more public exposure to its music through the Play Button. The new web code lets sites post individual songs or whole playlists that, while they need Spotify open in the background, can be controlled directly from the browser. Spotify sees it as a way to legally embed music and, by extension, pay artists for each listen.
Those who don't have the app will be given a download if they live in a country where Spotify is active. They won't need more than the basic free account to get started, although countries where play count limits and capped listening hours are in effect might limit use.
Accordingly, the streaming music service is partnering with 21 companies and sites, including not just music sites but news and social services. Tumblr is one of the more extensive and will let users search Spotify and embed a Play Button widget that mirrors the Tumblr blog's given theme. Elle, NME, Pitchfork, and ShareMyPlaylists.com are among the examples.
Along with the US, Spotify runs in several larger European countries. The US and some European countries have at least temporarily suspended song limits on the free service, although paying for as little as the $5 monthly subscription is enough to remove the limits.
