Spotify & Shopify Partnership: Artists Now Sell Merch on Profiles

Spotify and Shopify Announce New Partnership for Artists

A new collaboration between Spotify and e-commerce platform Shopify has been unveiled. This integration will empower artists to directly connect their Spotify profiles with their Shopify stores.

This connection facilitates the marketing of merchandise directly to fans within the Spotify application. By linking Spotify for Artists accounts to their Shopify online store, artists gain the ability to synchronize their product catalog.

Enhanced Merchandising Opportunities

Artists can then selectively showcase products on their profile within the streaming music app. Fans will be able to easily browse and purchase these items.

The integration not only streamlines access to existing Shopify stores but also presents a potential new revenue source for artists who haven't yet established an online merchandise presence.

Furthermore, it may incentivize artists currently using other platforms to migrate to Shopify.

Shopify's Role in Artist Branding

Shopify reports that it currently supports the online stores of thousands of artists. These artists are actively expanding their businesses beyond music to cultivate comprehensive brands.

“Today’s artists are inherently entrepreneurial,” stated Amir Kabbara, Shopify’s Director of Product. “They are constructing diverse brands and businesses, and we are simplifying the process of reaching fans where they already are.”

Kabbara continued, “By integrating entrepreneurship into Spotify, we are enabling artists to move beyond conventional merchandise tables and explore innovative monetization methods, while also experimenting with their brands through commerce.”

Expanding Artist Services

Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem can also assist artists in implementing new services. Examples include print-on-demand solutions and product discovery tools.

The platform’s infrastructure is designed to handle substantial traffic volumes, particularly for artists with large fan bases experiencing surges in demand, such as during new product launches.

Previous Merchandising Integrations

While the Shopify partnership is noteworthy, Spotify has previously collaborated with other companies to offer artists merchandise marketing capabilities within its app.

For many years, Spotify has provided integrations with various merchandise service providers. A current partnership exists with Merchbar, and prior collaborations included BandPage and Topspin.

Currently, artists can showcase up to three products on their profile through Merchbar. The Shopify integration now offers the same functionality.

Getting Started with the Integration

Artists can initiate the process by logging into their Spotify for Artists dashboard on a desktop computer.

Navigate to the “Profile” tab and select “Merch.” From there, artists can choose three items from their Shopify store to feature on their profile. Currently, only one Shopify store can be linked per artist.

To incentivize adoption, Shopify is providing a 90-day free trial for all Spotify artists who sign up for the first time.

Beta Launch and Geographic Availability

The feature is presently in a “beta” phase. While artists globally can link their Shopify stores, merchandise visibility is currently limited to listeners in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S.

Shared Vision for the Creator Economy

Both Shopify and Spotify share a common interest in fostering the growth of the new creator economy, albeit with differing areas of focus.

Shopify positions its e-commerce platform as a valuable asset for creator businesses across all sectors, while Spotify’s primary focus remains on artists and, increasingly, podcast creators.

Spotify has previously introduced several tools for creators, including ticketing, tipping, and Fans First emails, designed to support the expansion of their businesses.

Discussions Between CEOs

Earlier this year, the CEOs of both companies – Daniel Ek of Spotify and Tobi Lütke of Shopify – participated in a Clubhouse discussion.

They explored the diverse ways creators are currently diversifying their monetization strategies. During this session, Ek alluded to the potential for closer collaboration with Shopify, acknowledging the widespread adoption of its platform by artists.

Ek remarked, “Almost every successful creator today is multi-talented and operates across multiple channels.”

He elaborated, “They are on YouTube posting videos, Instagram, potentially building brands on Shopify, releasing music and merchandise on Shopify and music on Spotify, and touring. They are engaging with their fan bases across numerous platforms.”