Spotify Posts 16% Revenue Growth as Subscribers Reach 306M

WHO:

Bloomberg - Spotify Technology SA reported its quarterly results.

Variety - Spotify, described as a streaming-audio company, reported subscriber and user growth.

Billboard - Spotify Co-CEO Alex Norström said, “This was a quarter where we did what we said.”

WHAT:

Bloomberg Markets - Spotify shares rallied after its results and forecast signaled improving margin trends.

Bloomberg Markets - Spotify’s paying subscribers increased 2% during the quarter, reaching 306 million, above Wall Street’s estimate of 305.1 million.

Bloomberg - Spotify’s revenue increased 16% year over year to €4.97 billion, below the €4.98 billion estimate.

Bloomberg - Paid subscribers increased 9% to 306 million.

Bloomberg - Monthly active users rose 11% to 788 million, meeting the estimate; monthly active users grew 1% compared with the previous quarter.

Bloomberg - Spotify reported €672 million in operating income.

Variety - Spotify added 6 million subscribers during the quarter, reaching 306 million, and met all its key targets.

Variety - Spotify added a net 11 million monthly active users on its free, ad-supported service.

Variety - Spotify saw healthier growth in advertising revenue.

Billboard - Spotify recorded double-digit revenue growth, with subscriber gains exceeding expectations.

WHEN:

Bloomberg - The reported results cover the third quarter.

Variety - Spotify’s results cover the third quarter of 2026.

HOW:

Variety - Spotify’s subscriber base grew by 6 million during the quarter, while its free, ad-supported service added a net 11 million monthly active users.

(UPDATED October 22, 2026 16:18 UTC)

Spotify shares rallied after the company reported third-quarter results showing stronger subscriber growth and a forecast pointing to improving margins. The streaming-audio company added 6 million paying subscribers during the quarter, bringing the total to 306 million and beating Wall Street’s estimate of 305.1 million. Paid subscribers were up 9% from a year earlier. Monthly active users rose 11% year over year to 788 million, matching expectations, and increased 1% from the previous quarter. The free, ad-supported service added a net 11 million monthly active users, while advertising revenue also grew more healthily. Revenue climbed 16% to €4.97 billion, just below the €4.98 billion estimate, and operating income reached €672 million. Co-CEO Alex Norström said, “This was a quarter where we did what we said.” Spotify said it met all its key targets.

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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 12:02 UTC)

Spotify reported strong user growth in the third quarter, adding 6 million paid subscribers to reach 306 million. That’s a 9% increase from a year earlier, and subscriber gains exceeded expectations. Monthly active users climbed 11% year over year to 788 million, in line with estimates, though growth was 1% compared with the previous quarter. The company also added a net 11 million monthly active users to its free, ad-supported service and reported healthier growth in advertising revenue. Revenue rose 16% to €4.97 billion, just below the €4.98 billion forecast. Spotify posted €672 million in operating income and said it met all its key targets. Co-CEO Alex Norström summed up the quarter this way: “This was a quarter where we did what we said.”