ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Liz Pelly: Spotify Treats Music as a Commodity

opinion-review · 2026-05-14

In an interview with Le Monde, journalist Liz Pelly, author of an investigation into Spotify, argues that the streaming platform deliberately pushes users toward low-value music consumed passively. Pelly's research reveals how Spotify's algorithms and business model prioritize quantity over quality, treating music as a commodity rather than an art form. She criticizes the platform for exploiting artists and devaluing musical works. The interview was published on May 14, 2026.

Key facts

  • Liz Pelly is a journalist and author of an investigation into Spotify.
  • The interview was published in Le Monde.
  • Pelly argues Spotify treats music as a commodity.
  • Spotify pushes users toward low-value, passive listening.
  • The platform's algorithms prioritize quantity over quality.
  • Pelly criticizes Spotify for exploiting artists.
  • The interview was published on May 14, 2026.
  • The article is part of Le Monde's ideas section.

Entities

Artists

  • Liz Pelly

Institutions

  • Le Monde
  • Spotify

Sources