Spotify Payouts Soar Past $11 Billion, Independent Artists Gain Larger Share

• Spotify paid over $11 billion to the music industry in 2025, the largest annual payment by a single retailer.
• Payouts increased by more than 10% from 2024, with independent artists and labels receiving roughly half of all royalties.
• Spotify faces intense competition from rivals like YouTube and Apple, driving its focus on retaining and attracting artists.
• The company distributes nearly 70% of its music-related revenue to rights holders, reinvesting the rest into platform expansion.
• Spotify is raising premium subscription prices and expanding into podcasts, video, and audiobooks to boost profitability.

Why It Matters: Spotify's record $11 billion payout in 2025 highlights its growth and independent artists' rising influence.