Apple Music is one of Apple’s most robust services, and there’s no reason for that to change.
As one of the largest companies in the world, Apple runs some policies with many detractors, but after each of them, those who have the bitten apple always have a reason. While one of the most controversial is undoubtedly the App Store’s 30% commission for developers, others like the charge for services that others offer for free they add up. So it is with Apple Music.
The perennial comparison between Apple Music and Spotify encompasses many elements. However, the fact that Apple’s service does not offer any paid level is one of the most controversial, since it does its main competitor. But Apple has many reasons not to change.
The value of Apple Music
Apple Music is one of Apple’s best-performing services with 88 million subscribers
Less revenue from paid subscriptions
Revenue from its services has been one of the fastest growing categories in recent years and it’s not something that makes sense to change. By offering free options, there is a risk that users with paid subscriptions will change their minds. This would directly affect Apple’s bottom line, affecting its privileged position in the tech world.
cost increase
Offering a free tier of Apple Music would also increase the cost of maintaining the service, requiring investment in additional server and other resources to support a larger user base, at a cost that would not be financially viable.
devalued service
After so many years of offering it as an exclusive service, offering a free tier would lead to a different perception of the service among customers, who might view it as less valuable or of high quality. And with that, affect paid subscriptions and decrease the overall perceived value of the service.
Cannibalization of other products and services
Offering a traditionally paid service would lead to wondering why not do the same with other services and could lead to lower sales of other products.
Strategy
Apple offers a different service not only for users, but also for artists. For years, those in Cupertino have prided themselves on paying better commissions than other platforms, adding this as yet another reason why it’s worth paying.
Currently, Apple Music has over 88 million subscribers and while offering the service for free for some isn’t a plan without perks, those don’t seem to be any better than what you get today.
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