Spotify Announces No More Time Limits On Free Accounts

Spotify is taking yet another step in the direction of becoming completely free and open to all users, even those who opt to not pay for the $10 a month service. Spotify, a music streaming application that can boast one of the most impressive on-demand libraries on the market, made the announcement on Thursday that there will no longer be any time limits.

"In the past, we had to restrict your listening time to some hours a month once a 6-month unlimited grace period had passed. But now, if you haven't noticed, there's no more time limit if you are using Spotify for free. We have removed these caps completely across all platforms - you can listen to your favorite songs as many times as you like, for as long as you want," the company writes in a new blog post.

The note follows a note that reads: "This news only affects markets where time caps for free users existed. This does not affect the US, where free users have had, and continue to have no caps on listening time."

So, while the news isn't exactly a shock to the Spotify eco-system, it does mark a significant milestone of growth for the relatively young media streaming service. Recently the company brought a similar initiative to the free version of its mobile app. Where once Spotify Radio was the only thing available to mobile users, the service now allows its free users to shuffle from within customized playlists.

According to Inferse, the move is especially significant given its timing. It comes just a few days ahead of the debut of Beats Music, a competing streaming service operated by the group of Dr. Dre, which will open in the United States next week.

Tell us what you think of Spotify's new policies. Does the service's ever-expanding attempts to go as free as possible off of advertisements appeal to you as a long-term self sustaining music platform, or would you still prefer Pandora or purchasing your own library on iTunes? Comment and share your thoughts with us below.