Explicit pornographic content has been discovered appearing in Spotify search results, raising concerns about content moderation on the platform. The issue came to light when a Reddit user found adult video thumbnails while searching for "mia" on the platform.

The explicit content appears to be exploiting Spotify's new video feature through unmoderated podcast uploads. While The Verge couldn't locate the specific video mentioned in the Reddit post, they found several other pornographic results during their investigation.

Multiple accounts have been identified posting this content:

• One account previously known for erotic audio content has expanded to explicit videos
• Another account began posting adult content in November 2024

Spotify has responded by removing the offending content, citing violations of their platform policies which prohibit sexually explicit material. However, the reporting process remains cumbersome, requiring users to submit reports through a webpage rather than within the app.

This isn't Spotify's first content moderation challenge:

• In 2022, Vice reported on explicit audio content and graphic playlist cover art
• The platform previously hosted neo-Nazi and white supremacist content
• Following a Digital Music News report, Spotify removed 37 bands promoting hate speech

Spotify maintains strict policies against both sexually explicit content and hate speech, though implementation of these policies continues to face challenges.

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