Swedish Internet music streaming service Spotify has returned to the invitation-only format it used before its popularity surged.
Artwork: Chip TaylorAccording to Spotify, the format has been changed because the "huge demand" caused by the launch of an app for Apple iPhones and handsets running the Google Android platform, this week.
"We are going to have to temporarily reinstate our invite system in the UK. We are invite-only in all our other launch countries but we hope to be able to remove the need for an invite again very soon," said Spotify's Andres Sehr in a blog.
Spotify lets users create a playlist of songs for free, although tracks are peppered with adverts just like commercial radio.
The service also allows users to create 'collaborative' playlists, which are assigned their own web addresses, and can then be added to by other Spotify listeners.
The invite-only platform, which was removed in February, means that new users must be 'invited' to join the service by current member, or join a waiting list. However, Spotify did say that Premium members, that pay a £10 per month subscription to enjoy ad-free listening on the service, could register directly.
The music-streaming service gave no indication of how long the invitation-only format would be enforced for.
See also: SaveSpotify isn't an official add-on
Ad Choices