Spotify for Creators has rolled out a new set of terms and conditions that clarify several important rules for podcast creators — including how music and advertising are handled on the platform. Spotify emailed creators outlining these changes, and a side‑by‑side comparison of the old and new terms highlights several key updates.
One of the most significant shifts affects music in podcasts. Previously, Spotify prohibited any music content within podcast episodes distributed via Spotify for Creators.
Under the updated terms, creators can include music in their podcasts if it has been properly cleared for use by the creator on the Spotify platform — meaning you must have the rights to use that content and ensure it’s licensed correctly. This is a departure from the former blanket ban and brings the terms closer to standard copyright requirements that apply across digital audio platforms.
This update aligns with Spotify’s broader intellectual property policies which historically restrict music distribution through podcast channels, recommending that music be delivered via dedicated music distribution paths rather than embedded in podcast episodes.
Spotify’s existing guidance warns that podcasts should not be used to distribute music tracks or mixes, and episodes may be removed if they violate these rules regardless of licensing status.
Another major update involves advertising in podcasts. Previously the language focused on “embedded” ads — ads baked directly into the files you upload. The new terms specifically extend the rules to dynamically inserted ads, which are ads added by Spotify or ad partners at playback time.
Creators must now ensure that dynamic ad placements comply with Spotify’s Advertising Policies, a broader set of rules that cover ad content, placement, and legal compliance.
This change reflects the growing sophistication of ad technology in podcasting and Spotify’s desire to maintain consistent ad quality and legal safety across its platform.
The updated terms also cover other areas of the Spotify for Creators service — including how monetization features work, creator responsibilities for compliance, and the rights Spotify retains regarding user‑generated content.
Like all legal agreements for digital platforms, these terms balance Spotify’s operational needs with creators’ desire for clarity and control over their content.
For podcasters, the most immediate impacts are in content licensing and advertising flexibility: creators who want to include licensed music must proactively clear rights, and those using dynamic ad insertion should review Spotify’s ad policies to avoid content removal or account issues.
Overall, these changes reflect Spotify’s effort to modernize its creator agreements in line with evolving industry practices and legal expectations for content use on major audio platforms.
