Live data from Hacker News

Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

newsroom.spotify.com

201–210 of 1001 posts

Re: Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

#203
post #198

There were 1,600 people at Spotify?

> Spotify reported that it had 9,400 employees at the end of the third quarter of 2023. It had already cut back employee numbers by 6% in January and by a further 2% in June.

I wonder what they were all doing. Their special apps, like the iWatch, are below par and they are pretty much the last service that doesn't offer HQ audio. AI does most of the editorial playlist generation. What are nearly 10K people doing?

Re: Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

#204
post #200
post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Spotify reported that it had 9,400 employees at the end of the third quarter of 2023. It had already cut back employee numbers by 6% in January and by a further 2% in June.

I'm also curious what they need 10k people for. What of the business is so labor-intensive?

Every Spotify wrapped is put together by hand

Re: Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

#205
post #200
post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Spotify reported that it had 9,400 employees at the end of the third quarter of 2023. It had already cut back employee numbers by 6% in January and by a further 2% in June.

I'm also curious what they need 10k people for. What of the business is so labor-intensive?

I would like to say "curating the library" but it's probably license paperwork and negotiations with the rightsholders.

Re: Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

#206
post #200
post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Spotify reported that it had 9,400 employees at the end of the third quarter of 2023. It had already cut back employee numbers by 6% in January and by a further 2% in June.

I'm also curious what they need 10k people for. What of the business is so labor-intensive?

the constant interface overhauls they do, probably

Re: Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

#207
post #200
post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Spotify reported that it had 9,400 employees at the end of the third quarter of 2023. It had already cut back employee numbers by 6% in January and by a further 2% in June.

I'm also curious what they need 10k people for. What of the business is so labor-intensive?

I'd guess managing labels, podcasters, marketing & ads + moderation takes a huge chunk there.

Re: Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

#208

This isn't about rising costs though, this is about the labels and shareholders being greedy and wanting an even bigger piece of the cake that is already massive. Meanwhile artists are getting paid next to nothing and now even workers are getting the short end of the stick.

Are you not aware how dire inflation and the very high interest rate make the current situation?

Re: Spotify will reduce total headcount by approximately 17%

#209
post #205
post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm also curious what they need 10k people for. What of the business is so labor-intensive?

I would like to say "curating the library" but it's probably license paperwork and negotiations with the rightsholders.

Probably those require a lot of local branch offices for legal reasons, so that's a lot of HR/admin overhead.
Post reply on HN