Spotify is testing a skip button that might let you skip podcast ads

Spotify is testing a new feature that allows some users to bypass podcast advertisements not directly sold by the platform, according to a confidential report by Semafor. This development is seen as a simplified version of the existing skip button, but industry insiders argue it could severely impact the ad revenue of podcast producers.

Podnews labeled the update as a "significant threat" to ad-supported shows, while Crooked Media co-founder Tommy Vietor called it "very cool" of Spotify to attempt to "destroy the podcast industry." Spotify has reached out to major audio networks following the announcement to address their concerns over monetization. The company has argued internally that the feature could actually benefit publishers by increasing overall listening time, citing engagement data, and emphasized that the button is still in the early testing stage, with the possibility of being withdrawn.

The rollout is currently limited to paid subscribers and only appears when the app is in the foreground, described as part of routine product testing to make podcast listening more intuitive for Premium users. This move comes at a time when the podcast industry is already facing a shift towards video platforms like YouTube, and it's not the first time Spotify has faced pushback from publishers, as the company partially reversed a podcast play-count rollout last year due to similar complaints.