Music streaming giant Spotify has acknowledged an issue affecting some of its paid Premium subscribers, who are encountering ads while trying to play music. The company took to its customer service account on X to address the problem, stating that it is investigating the cause and has linked to its Community website where users have been documenting the issue over the past four weeks.

According to Spotify, the current issue has a different cause from a previously reported bug, and a small number of users are affected. The company claims to have deployed a fix, although its customer service account has not yet updated users on the resolution. In the meantime, the account continues to respond to user complaints, suggesting workarounds such as logging out and back in.

User reports on Spotify's site and elsewhere on the web reveal that Premium users who encountered the issue were frustrated, as they were paying for an ad-free experience but were still forced to hear ads. Many users reported that suggested solutions, like logging out, did not work, and some even demanded refunds since they were not receiving the upgraded experience they paid for.

The issue appears to have affected users across mobile, desktop, and web platforms. Notably, some users emphasized that the problem was not on their end, as they had ensured their payment information was up-to-date before registering a complaint on Spotify's site.

This issue with the buggy Premium tier comes at an inopportune time for Spotify, as the company prepares to launch new subscription tiers, including a "superfan" offering that will include a deeper music and video catalog and other fan experiences. Warner Music Group (WMG) is a partner in the new effort.

In related news, Spotify competitor YouTube recently launched a Premium Lite subscription, offering ad-free videos outside of music content for $7.99 per month. This more affordable option does not include access to YouTube Music or other features like background play and downloads.

The ad issue affecting Spotify's Premium users raises questions about the company's ability to deliver on its promise of an ad-free experience. As Spotify expands its subscription offerings, it will need to address these technical issues to maintain user trust and satisfaction. The incident also highlights the intense competition in the music streaming market, where companies are constantly seeking to outdo each other in terms of features, pricing, and user experience.

As Spotify works to resolve the issue and launch its new subscription tiers, the company will need to prioritize transparency and communication with its users. By doing so, Spotify can rebuild trust and maintain its position in the competitive music streaming landscape.