Spotify's algorithm has been promoting podcasts with white noise content, such as waves, vacuums, and fans, to its listeners who use them to relax or sleep. An internal document reveals these podcasts account for three million hours of consumption every day. And some creators supposedly make up to USD 18,000 a month using Spotify's free hosting software Anchor.
However, Spotify is reportedly not happy with this situation, as white noise podcasts are less profitable than other types of programming. The company considered removing them or replacing them with "comparable programming" that would save USD 38 million a year. Some users and creators noticed that their white noise podcasts had disappeared for a while, but Spotify denied any intentional action. The company said it still has white noise podcasts on its platform.