Today, Explained How Spotify picks its winners
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Jun 27, 2024 
Sabrina Carpenter, a rising pop star known for her hit song "Espresso," and David Israelite, the President of the National Music Publishers Association, dive into Spotify's recommendation algorithms and their impact on artists. They discuss the unexpected popularity of "Espresso" amid controversies over playlist placements and undisclosed advertising. The pair also tackle the struggles songwriters face with Spotify's changing business model, including fair compensation and the ethical implications of the platform's practices.
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The Espresso Phenomenon
- Users reported that Spotify repeatedly played Sabrina Carpenter's song "Espresso" after every song.
- This led to the "Espresso Conspiracy" theory, with users suspecting payola or industry planting.
Payola Misconception
- Some listeners suspected payola was behind the "Espresso" repetition, but payola refers to undisclosed payments on public airwaves.
- It's not applicable to internet streaming services.
Industry Plant Theory
- Another theory suggests Sabrina Carpenter is an "industry plant," an artist artificially promoted to success.
- However, Carpenter's Disney Channel background complicates this narrative.