Spotify unveils new feature that will let users donate directly to artists struggling to make up for lost income during the coronavirus pandemic
- Spotify has launched a new feature to help artists raise money during COVID-19
- Called Artist Fundraising Pick, the feature will let users make donations through an artists Spotify profile page
- Artists can link to outside charities or raise funds for themselves
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Spotify has launched a new feature that will allow subscribers to donate money directly to their favorite artists through the app, part of the company’s efforts to help musicians struggling with loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new feature, called Artist Fundraising Pick, will add a link on each artist’s page pointing fans to a particular cause or fundraising platform.
Artists can link to other charity organizations or just raise funds for themselves through Spotify’s partnerships with PayPal, GoFundMe and Cash App.
Artist Fundraising Pick is a new feature from Spotify that will let users donate directly to artists, or to causes artists want to promote on their profile pages, part of the company’s efforts to support musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic
Cash App has promised to donate an extra $100 to every artist who receives at least one donation through their platform on Spotify, up to a total of $1 million.
The feature was based on a previous Spotify idea called Artist’s Pick, which allows a band or artist to recommend the work of another band or artist as part of their profile.
According to Boy Scouts, the musical alter ego of Taylor Vick, the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for musicians who relied on touring and live performance to earn income.
‘Like so many others right now, I am out of work as our tours have been cancelled or postponed because of COVID-19,’ Vick said in a prepared statement for Spotify.
‘Any help is appreciated as we keep in our efforts to find new ways to get by.’
Pop singer Benjamin Ingrosso is using the service to raise funds for a Swedish non-profit Musikerförbundet.
‘I want to be helpful in the ways I can during these difficult times,’ Ingrosso said.
‘I’ve seen lots of my fellow musicians lose work due to the current situation. Most of us don’t know when we will be able to go back to work.’
The new feature will let artists link out to outside charities or accept donations for themselves through Spotify’s partnership with GoFundMe, PayPal, and Cash App
According to a BBC report, the company has also promised to donate up to $10 million to organizations offering support to musicians and artists during the COVID-19 pandemic, including MusiCares, Help Musicians and the PRS Foundation.
Earlier this year, musician Evan Greer set up a petition to ask the company to increase its royalty fees for artists during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Spotify hasn’t responded.
Past reporting has shown the company pays between $0.006 and $0.0084 per play on its service.
Spotify generated $7.44billion in total revenue for 2019, with more than 124 million paying subscribers.