Spotify has implemented significant restrictions to its API access for developers, effective November 27. The changes primarily affect new applications while existing apps remain unaffected.

Key API Access Restrictions:

• Related artists data
• Recommendation features
• Audio features and analysis
• Featured playlists
• Category playlists
• 30-second preview URLs
• Spotify editorial playlists
• Algorithmic playlist creation

The removal of audio analysis functionality is particularly impactful, as it eliminates developers' ability to access track structure details like beats per minute (BPM). This change makes it significantly harder for users to create specialized playlists based on tempo or other musical characteristics.

Spotify states these changes aim to enhance platform security. However, developers have expressed frustration, particularly regarding the inability to access basic music data like BPM. One developer on Reddit noted, "It's unbelievable that with these restrictions there is now NO way to find out the song BPM... These restrictions came overly hasty and f*cked up so many developers."

Alternative Solutions: ListenBrainz has emerged as an alternative platform offering developers access to music data through their Labs API, including:

• Similar artist exploration
• User recommendations
• Custom playlist generation
• Artist popularity data

While ListenBrainz's data may not match Spotify's comprehensiveness, it provides a viable alternative for developers needing music data for their applications.

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