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Spotify is a platform that allows users to enjoy a range of audio content online, including music, podcasts, and audiobooks. It has a large library for all tastes and interests.
If you're a music enthusiast, a podcast lover, or enjoy immersing yourself in audiobooks, Spotify has a lot to offer &mdash; and it makes it easy to find new favourites and old classics.
Here we&rsquo;ll provide a beginner&rsquo;s guide on how to use Spotify. Not sure of the best platform for listening to music online or how to pick the best one? You can find out how to<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/listening-to-music-online"> use the internet to find music</a> in our guide.
 
<h2>What is Spotify?&nbsp;</h2>
Spotify is a music streaming platform. It&rsquo;s hugely popular in the UK, with <a href="https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1328625/spotify-digital-music-services-brand-profile-in-the-uk">57%</a> of UK streamers saying they enjoy Spotify. There are many features beyond music though.
It has incredible discovery and personalisation options, where it curates playlists and builds recommendations based on what you listen to, making it easy to find new songs.
Spotify is convenient as an app or in a browser and has a library of over <a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/company-info/">100 million tracks</a>, alongside podcasts and audiobooks &mdash; so there&rsquo;s always something to explore.
You can use it for free, but there are ad-free subscriptions that offer extra features.
 
<h2>Getting started with Spotify</h2>
Spotify works very intuitively but this step-by-step guide will help you get started and enjoy everything the streaming service offers. We&rsquo;ll explore the basics, as well as the fun features.
<ol>
<li>
<h3 role="presentation">Get the app</h3>
</li>
</ol>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/jYDJEbPkQqWRHL1V5nYS" alt="undefined" width="390" height="200">
You can use the web player, but for the best Spotify experience you&rsquo;ll need the app:
<ul>
<li>
On a computer or laptop: Go to the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/download">Spotify website</a> and click &ldquo;Get our free app&rdquo;, then follow the instructions to install it on your operating system.
</li>
</ul>
On a phone or mobile device: Go to your app store (like Google Play for Android, or the App Store for iOS), look for "Spotify," and tap "Install."

<h3>2. Create an account</h3>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/ZaFJzAesSBud4QMGFiXO" alt="undefined" width="380" height="555">
Creating a Spotify account is easy and you&rsquo;ll need one regardless of the plan you choose to get:
<ul>
<li>
On an app or browser: Click "Sign Up" and fill in the form to create an account and choose a plan. You&rsquo;ll need to provide an email address and other information.
</li>
<li>
Using social media: If you&rsquo;ve already got a Facebook, Apple or Google account you can sign up using this for faster access.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>3. Listen to some music</h3>
<img src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/l8LjtRruRNODU95NfAvF" alt="undefined" width="376" height="236">
There&rsquo;s a huge range of music on Spotify for all tastes, try some of the following:
<ul>
<li>
Use the search bar:&nbsp; Look for artists, songs, and playlists. You can browse genres and other curated offerings via the "Home" section.
</li>
<li>
Create a playlist: In your library click on "Create Playlist," name it, and add songs by clicking the three dots next to any track and then "Add to Playlist."
</li>
<li>
Like some songs: When listening to a song you like, tap/click the heart icon next to any song to add it to your "Liked Songs" playlist.
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>4. Listen to podcasts and audiobooks</h3>
Spotify also has a variety of podcasts and audiobooks, here&rsquo;s how to look for some:
<ul>
<li>
Podcasts: Use the search function or browse the "Podcasts" section on your home screen to find shows on various topics.
</li>
<li>
Audiobooks: Look for audiobooks via the search bar - note that Spotify Premium only offers 15 free listening hours per month for audiobooks.
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>5. Share your favourite audio with friends and family</h3>
Sharing is easy on Spotify, so you can share your favourites with whomever you want. To do so, just click or tap the three dots next to any song, album, or playlist, and select "Share". You can share via social media, messaging apps, or a direct link.
&nbsp;
<h3>6. Try out some fun features!</h3>
Once you&rsquo;ve got to grips with the basics, Spotify also gives you some fun features:
<ul>
<li>
"Discover Weekly", which is a custom playlist based on your listening habits.
</li>
<li>
Spotify songs as your alarm tones, available with compatible alarm clock apps.
</li>
<li>
Insights into your listening habits at the end of each year with their very cool<a href="https://www.spotify.com/wrapped/"> Spotify Wrapped</a> feature.
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h3>7. Use Spotify Premium</h3>
It feels similar, but Spotify Premium offers additional benefits over the free version:
<ul>
<li>
Enjoy ad-free listening, offline playback, and better sound quality.
</li>
<li>
Current plans vary, so check the Spotify website for the latest options.
</li>
</ul>
 
<h2>Using Spotify on the internet</h2>
To enjoy its full range of features, an internet connection is required. However, Spotify also offers some offline functionality. Here&rsquo;s what you need to know:

<h3>Using Spotify online</h3>
You can access all the features Spotify has to offer while online. Whether streaming songs, discovering new music through playlists, exploring podcasts, or creating your own playlists &ndash; it&rsquo;s simple and easy with the online experience.
<h3>Using Spotify offline</h3>
You can download songs, albums, and playlists while online and listen to them offline later &mdash; the same is true for podcast episodes. Just look for the three dots and click &ldquo;Download&rdquo;. Music is only downloadable for Spotify Premium users.
<h3>How much data does Spotify use?</h3>
Spotify uses low amounts of data, so data caps are not a concern. If your internet provider limits your data usage, it might be worth considering switching to a provider with better data allowances.&nbsp;
Remember that <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/the-difference-between-broadband-and-wifi">broadband, bandwidth and data use are different</a>. Broadband is fast internet, bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted at a given time, and data use is the amount required by your activities online.
Spotify&rsquo;s data usage depends on the audio quality setting. Here&rsquo;s a quick breakdown:
<div align="center">
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 42.5722%; height: 161.188px; border-width: 1px; border-spacing: 2px; background-color: #f4f4f4;"><colgroup><col style="width: 53.291%;"><col style="width: 46.7423%;"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Normal quality
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
Approximately 96 kbps
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35.3542px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
High quality
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
Approximately 160 kbps
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Very high quality
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">
Approximately 320 kbps
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
You can adjust the settings by selecting your profile and then &ldquo;Settings and privacy&rdquo;, where you can view or change the &ldquo;Audio Quality&rdquo; settings. Tweak them to your liking.
 
<h2>Learn how to use more apps with Community Fibre</h2>
We&rsquo;re dedicated to helping people make the most out of the internet and ensuring no one is left across the digital divide. Here&rsquo;s how we&rsquo;re making a difference:
<ul>
<li>
Amazing value <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">full fibre broadband packages</a>
</li>
<li>
Great <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/deals">deals</a> on our packages, with options for households and businesses
</li>
<li>
Top <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/digital-skills">resources</a>, like this one, designed to boost your digital skills
</li>
<li>
Addressing <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-community-fibre-is-helping-to-bridge-the-digital-poverty-gap">digital poverty</a>, with affordable internet solutions and support
</li>
</ul>
Use our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">postcode checker</a> to see if you can get London's fastest full fibre broadband.

Learn how to use the popular app, Spotify. Find out how Spotify works, its data usage, offline listening, and ways to get the most out of Spotify Premium.

How to Use Spotify: What it is & How it Works

Spotify is a popular way to listen to music, audiobooks, and podcasts in one convenient app. Learn how to get the most out of Spotify and elevate your online listening today.

Beginner’s guide to using Spotify

Listening to music on the internet means having almost every song at your fingertips. New hits, deep tracks, classic albums and more are all available to stream &mdash; so it&rsquo;s a great way to listen.
Whether you want to rediscover music, catch up on your favourite acts pre-festival, or find something new, it&rsquo;s easier and more convenient to listen online than to CDs or vinyl.
But what&rsquo;s the best way to listen to music on the internet? We&rsquo;ll cover how to listen to music online, bandwidth usage, and how to get the perfect listening experience.
 
<h2>What are the options for listening to music online?</h2>
As of 2024, <a href="https://mixmag.net/read/digital-streaming-makes-up-85-percent-music-consumption-uk-news">87.7%</a> of music consumption is done via digital streaming. Whether you&rsquo;re a casual listener or a staunch audiophile, there are many options to listen to your tunes online.
Here are a few popular options people use to listen to music on the internet, which include many free and premium memberships:
<ol>
<li>
Spotify
</li>
<li>
YouTube Music
</li>
<li>
Pandora
</li>
<li>
Deezer
</li>
<li>
Amazon Music
</li>
<li>
Tidal
</li>
<li>
Apple Music
</li>
<li>
SoundCloud
</li>
</ol>
It&rsquo;s a fairly long list of services. There are many other competing services to choose from too! So, when choosing a streaming service, it&rsquo;s best to consider the following factors:
<ul>
<li>
Price: Although many have free options, they are ad-supported. Free options are good for testing a platform but you might want to pay a monthly fee for ad-free listening.
</li>
<li>
Audio quality: Higher-quality streams use more bandwidth but offer a better experience, essential to get the best out of speakers and headphones.
</li>
<li>
Music library: The size and variety of a platform&rsquo;s music library are important to weigh up. Some have huge collections, which are great for discovering new music.
</li>
<li>
User interface: Intuitive interfaces that make it easy to find and play songs, create playlists or discover new music can contribute greatly to a platform&rsquo;s strength.
</li>
<li>
Music discoverability: Existing playlists, either created by other users or the platforms themselves, are the perfect way to take the hassle out of deciding what to listen to and saves you the time of making your own playlists.
</li>
</ul>
Each platform has its own features and it&rsquo;s worth trying a few to see what fits your taste. This way, you can make a better decision and find the best way to listen to music online.
 
<h2>Our favourite music streaming platforms</h2>
A few platforms stand out when it comes to listening to music online in the UK, which is due to their popularity and features. Here are a few highlights and why they&rsquo;re a hit: 
<ul>
<li>
Spotify has a big library with lots of personalisation options and a simple interface.
</li>
<li>
YouTube Music is both music and video, so it&rsquo;s great if you want visual content.
</li>
<li>
Amazon Music offers top value for money and is convenient for current Prime members.
</li>
<li>
Apple Music dovetails with Apple devices and has a high-quality audio experience.
</li>
<li>
SoundCloud is ideal for discovering emerging artists and listening to indie music.
</li>
</ul>
When choosing a streaming platform to listen to music on the internet, it&rsquo;s good to understand the subscription options and free tiers that are available too.
<ol>
<li>
Spotify, free ad-supported or an ad-free, better quality premium membership.
</li>
<li>
Apple Music, no free option but with flexible individual and family plans.
</li>
<li>
Amazon Music, free subscription with limited music and ads or several paid plans.
</li>
</ol>
These are the biggest platforms, which offer flexible options for various budgets. But there are some more details and platform-specific features and benefits to consider.
<h3>Spotify</h3>
You can get <a href="https://www.spotify.com/uk/">Spotify</a> on a web browser, desktop, or mobile, and even your favourite game consoles. See a breakdown of the costs and packages available in the UK below:&nbsp;
<div align="center">
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 42.5722%; height: 454.021px; border-width: 1px; border-spacing: 2px; background-color: #f4f4f4;"><colgroup> <col style="width: 38.1364%;"> <col style="width: 61.8968%;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Free Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-supported</li>
<li>Lower sound quality</li>
<li>Streaming online only</li>
<li>No monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 80.5208px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Premium Individual Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free</li>
<li>Higher streaming quality</li>
<li>Download and listen offline</li>
<li>&pound;11.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Premium Student Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free</li>
<li>Higher streaming quality</li>
<li>Discounted for eligible students</li>
<li>&pound;5.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Premium Duo Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free</li>
<li>Higher streaming quality</li>
<li>Two accounts, at same address</li>
<li>&pound;16.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Premium Family Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Up to six accounts</li>
<li>Access to Spotify Kids</li>
<li>Parental controls for explicit lyrics</li>
<li>&pound;19.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
You can easily cancel all of these at any time and the Individual and Student plans are available free for 1 month, although you&rsquo;ll need to not have tried Spotify Premium before.
On the Individual, Duo and Family Plan, the plan manager (whoever signs up and pays for it) can also get 15 hours per month of audiobooks.
It&rsquo;s safe to say you won&rsquo;t get the most out of <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-to-use-spotify-guide" rel="follow">listening on Spotify</a> without a paid plan. But what you do get with all Spotify Premium plans is:
<ul>
<li>
A huge library with millions of tracks, podcasts, and audiobooks
</li>
<li>
High-quality streaming up to 320 kbps
</li>
<li>
Offline listening, download to your device
</li>
<li>
Personalised playlists and Discover Weekly
</li>
<li>
Social features like shared playlists
</li>
</ul>

<h3>YouTube Music</h3>
Available through browsers, desktop apps, and mobile apps, <a href="https://music.youtube.com/">YouTube Music</a> is easily accessible and has over 100 million songs. Here are some highlights of their UK plans:
<div align="center">
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 42.5722%; height: 454.021px; border-width: 1px; border-spacing: 2px; background-color: #f4f4f4;"><colgroup> <col style="width: 38.1364%;"> <col style="width: 61.8968%;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Free Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-supported</li>
<li>1-month free trial of Premium</li>
<li>Available in many countries</li>
<li>No monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 80.5208px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Individual Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Download offline</li>
<li>Free-of-charge trial</li>
<li>&pound;10.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Family Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Add up to 5 family members</li>
<li>Free-of-charge trial</li>
<li>&pound;16.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Student Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>For students only</li>
<li>Free-of-charge trial</li>
<li>&pound;5.49 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
Note that the free monthly trial is only for new members. You can cancel the membership easily and it&rsquo;s simple to rejoin at any time too.
If you&rsquo;re a fan of the classic music videos, there is a lot of potential for extra value to be had from YouTube Music as you can switch from audio to video in a single tap.
You can get a good experience in terms of audio quality on a free membership, but here are the key benefits of choosing YouTube Music with a paid plan:
<ul>
<li>
Millions of songs and videos available without ads.
</li>
<li>
Downloadable content for use on the go.
</li>
<li>
Background play, so you can keep listening while using other apps.
</li>
<li>
Audio-only mode, to listen to music without loading the video and save data.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Amazon Music</h3>
You can use <a href="https://music.amazon.co.uk/">Amazon Music</a> on browsers and devices like Amazon Alexa, but also game consoles, phones or smartwatches. See a breakdown of the Amazon Music plans below:
<div align="center">
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 42.5722%; height: 454.021px; border-width: 1px; border-spacing: 2px; background-color: #f4f4f4;"><colgroup> <col style="width: 38.1364%;"> <col style="width: 61.8968%;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Amazon Music Free
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Ad-supported</li>
<li>Podcasts and radio station access</li>
<li>Lower audio quality&nbsp;</li>
<li>No monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 80.5208px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Amazon Music Prime
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Podcasts and radio station access</li>
<li>Lower sound quality&nbsp;</li>
<li>No extra monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Amazon Music Unlimited (Prime Members)
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Free for 30 days</li>
<li>Lossless audio quality&nbsp;</li>
<li>&pound;9.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Amazon Music Unlimited (Non-Prime Members)
</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Free for 30 days</li>
<li>Lossless audio quality&nbsp;</li>
<li>&pound;10.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
The good news for existing Prime Members is that you automatically get Amazon Music Prime, but it&rsquo;s of a lower audio quality and the library is limited.
The Amazon Unlimited subscriptions renew automatically each month and the 30-day free trial is only available to new subscribers.
Audio quality makes Amazon a good option to get the most out of your speakers or headphones. Here are some things you get with Amazon Music Unlimited:
<ul>
<li>
Huge library of tracks available on demand.
</li>
<li>
The largest selection of ad-free podcasts.
</li>
<li>
Offline listening and downloadable content.
</li>
<li>
Great quality, lossless audio on thousands of tracks &mdash; ideal for audiophiles.
</li>
</ul>

<h3>Apple Music</h3>
An <a href="https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-music/">Apple Music</a> membership is available on all Apple platforms and devices, along with others including Windows, Amazon Echo, and Sonos. The plan includes the following:
<div align="center">
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 42.5722%; height: 454.021px; border-width: 1px; border-spacing: 2px; background-color: #f4f4f4;"><colgroup> <col style="width: 38.1364%;"> <col style="width: 61.8968%;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Apple Music Student Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Over 100 million songs</li>
<li>Superb audio quality</li>
<li>&pound;5.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 80.5208px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Apple Music Individual Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Over 100 million songs</li>
<li>Superb audio quality</li>
<li>&pound;10.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 62.9167px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
Apple Music Family Plan
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Unlimited access, up to 6 people</li>
<li>Superb audio quality</li>
<li>&pound;10.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
There&rsquo;s no free option aside from the trials. You can get 1 month free as a new subscriber and the monthly fee kicks in after that. The Student Plan includes Apple TV+ too.
You might also get a free trial period of 3 months (although this varies) when you purchase an eligible Apple device, such as AirPods or an iPhone.
Apple Music goes all in on audio quality and selection, even though it&rsquo;s a bit pricey. Here are some highlights of the Apple Music experience that might be the clincher in buying:
<ul>
<li>
No ads ever, it&rsquo;s a completely ad-free experience.
</li>
<li>
Lots of free trials, including with Apple One subscription bundles and new devices.
</li>
<li>
Exclusive access to live gigs and other events.
</li>
<li>
Classical music, expertly created playlists, and more for niche music lovers.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>SoundCloud</h3>
<a href="https://checkout.soundcloud.com/go">SoundCloud</a> has a lot of free music, but there&rsquo;s a subscription-based service too. It&rsquo;s usable on a browser and many platform-specific apps. Plan details include the following:
<div align="center">
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 42.5722%; height: 218.021px; border-width: 1px; border-spacing: 2px; background-color: #f4f4f4;"><colgroup> <col style="width: 38.1364%;"> <col style="width: 61.8968%;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 121.667px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
SoundCloud Go
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Offline access</li>
<li>Limited music catalogue</li>
<li>&pound;5.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 96.3542px;">
<td style="text-align: center;">
SoundCloud Go
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Ad-free listening</li>
<li>Full music catalogue access</li>
<li>Works with professional DJ apps</li>
<li>&pound;10.99 monthly fee</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
SoundCloud is great for music creators as well as those looking for emerging artists or music from new talent and mainstream releases.
Subscription fees go to support rising artists, so it&rsquo;s also a good option for people who are really involved in music and view it as part of their community.
Here are some reasons why a SoundCloud subscription might be the best option for listening to music online:
<ul>
<li>
High-quality audio on SoundCloud Go+.
</li>
<li>
Free 7-day or 30-day trials, so you can see what version is right for you.
</li>
<li>
50% discount on SoundCloud Go+ for students.
</li>
<li>
Helps support independent artists.
</li>
</ul>
 
<h2>How to enhance your listening experience online</h2>
You can easily optimise your internet connection for a better listening experience. If you&rsquo;re having connection-specific challenges, check out our tips to help <a href="https://help.communityfibre.co.uk/troubleshooting/wifi-and-broadband-troubleshooting/i-am-having-coverage-issues">solve coverage issues</a>.
High-quality headphones and speakers are essential for optimal audio, especially when you&rsquo;re listening to a music stream with a high bitrate.
<h3>Understanding bandwidth when listening to music online</h3>
Luckily, streaming music doesn&rsquo;t require much bandwidth &mdash; although if you&rsquo;re loading video content at the same time, such as with YouTube Music, you might need a bit more.
As long as you have about 10 Mbps you&rsquo;ll be able to stream comfortably, but it depends on the quality of the music. <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">Community Fibre packages</a> offer a minimum of 150 Mbps, so selecting higher-quality audio won&rsquo;t be a problem for audiophiles who want the best sound possible.
<h3>How to listen to music online for free</h3>
Spotify, YouTube, Amazon and SoundCloud all offer free options for listening to music online. If you don&rsquo;t mind ads and lower-quality streams, they are perfectly acceptable.
Apple Music also offers several free trials and all platforms have free introductory periods for their premium offerings, which you can take advantage of for a limited time.
<h3>Always listen to music on the internet safely</h3>
You should only use legal streaming platforms with appropriate authorization from the music industry. Avoid downloading unknown music files as these may contain viruses.
 
<h2>Make the most of the internet with Community Fibre</h2>
Whatever streaming service you use to listen to music, podcasts, and other stuff online, you can get the most out of it in London by signing up for one of <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#residential-packages">our full fibre packages</a>.&nbsp;
Check out <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/deals">our deals</a> too, which will give you a great way to stream music or video and browse at unbeatable speeds with outstanding value.
See our guides on <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/digital-skills">how to use the internet</a> effectively and read more about how we&rsquo;re trying to <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/blog/how-community-fibre-is-helping-to-bridge-the-digital-poverty-gap">close the digital divide</a>.&nbsp;
<a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/#postcode-search-modal">Check your postcode</a> and see if Community Fibre is available in your area today.
 
Please note: All pricing information correct at the time of publication, may be subject to change.

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<h2 aria-level="1">Gaining digital skills - for all ages</h2>
Living in the digital world, basic internet access becomes a necessity. One can order groceries, pay their bills, chat and video call their family, do some online shopping, and many more opportunities are just a few clicks away. However, when it comes to older adults or retirees, things can get a little more complicated. It is natural to struggle to take in new information as a person ages, no longer being able to swiftly remember new tasks and information, let alone being introduced to a whole new digital world where anything is possible. However, learning new things, such as accessing the internet and then surfing it in search of educational videos, for instance, can help slow the progression of cognitive decline as well as a host of other benefits.&nbsp;
<h2 aria-level="2">Benefits of internet access:</h2>
<ol>
<li>Swift access to GP&nbsp;</li>
<li>Meeting new or old friends, catching up with children and/or grandchildren&nbsp;</li>
<li>Paying bills and doing your banking from the comfort of your home&nbsp;</li>
<li>Online shopping&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Finding new or rediscovering old hobbies&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2 aria-level="2">Why digital skills are important for older adults&nbsp;</h2>
Regardless of someone's age, it is so useful to be able to find an answer within seconds on the internet. You can get medical advice or call a doctor to come to your home/schedule a doctor&rsquo;s visit, pay utility bills and access online banking &ndash; all from the comfort of your own home. On the fun side of internet accessibility, you can order groceries, shop online and bid on vintage pieces in a span of a few clicks! To accompany that great experience, you can play your favourite music on YouTube and Spotify while calling and/or messaging your loved ones on social media apps like WhatsApp, Skype and more.&nbsp;
Older adults and retirees are at higher risk of developing depression due to isolation and lack of activities left to do. To combat that, with the help of the internet, they can stay up to date with their loved ones and learn new activities online such as chess, sudoku or playing cards. Video calling family or knowing that family members are just one message away, can play a great role in feeling supported and cared for.

<h2 aria-level="2"><img class="WACImage SCXW158042689 BCX0" unselectable="on" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/oEZ3Hqr4T0WMoExHwWgy" width="290" height="193"></h2>
<h2 aria-level="2">Taking the time to educate</h2>
Taking your time to sit with the older generation; explaining the advantages of the internet, and teaching them how to safely browse the web can be beneficial for both parties &ndash; it makes you feel content and helps them feel cared for. Perhaps it may be your own grandparent or someone you don&rsquo;t know, but either way, it feels good to be able to help someone else. &nbsp;
Going down the path to learning new skills on your own can be challenging, but this is where we can help. We believe that everyone should feel free on the internet and use it to their advantage, and we are taking digital skills to a new level! &nbsp;
<h2 aria-level="2"></h2>
<h2 aria-level="2">Learning digital skills in demand&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
Westminster City Council has recently approved the expansion of its partnership with Community Fibre, to provide older Londoners with the digital skills they need to get online. Via our Digital Ambassadors Programme, which launched in February 2021, we have helped to freely educate Westminster residents with a variety of digital skills, such as navigating a smartphone or using email, to help boost confidence and close the digital divides across the borough. You can learn more about the programme on our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect">Community Investment</a> page. &nbsp;
We also have some courses available on our <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/community-connect/digital-skills">Digital Skills</a> page where you can learn how to use your devices (laptop, tablet, phone), understand the online basics, online safety, as well as learn how to find a job online, manage your health and finance online, and interact with the world through social media. These are crucial skills for the modern world and are sure to make life more comfortable for you.&nbsp;
<img class="WACImage SCXW52937781 BCX0" unselectable="on" src="https://cdn.buttercms.com/I3nKVSGuRULT7N4WQoTH" width="290" height="221">
<h2>Expanding our Digital Ambassadors Programme&nbsp;</h2>
Followed by the success and positive feedback in Westminster, we are rolling out our Digital Ambassadors programme further across the borough, connecting to more leisure centres, not just libraries. This will provide better access for people with more sessions to take part in. On top of that, we are partnering with GP practices based in Westminster borough to provide support in learning and using the NHS app.&nbsp;
You can read more about our expansion of the Digital Ambassador Programme throughout Westminster in our press release <a href="https://communityfibre.co.uk/press/westminster-city-council-announces-the-expansion-of-its-digital-skills-programme-in-partnership-with">here</a>. &nbsp;

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