YouTube and Spotify, two giants in the digital media world, released their Q1 2023 earnings reports this week. While YouTube experienced a 2.6% decline in ad revenue compared to the same period last year, Spotify saw a 14% increase in revenue, reaching $3.3 billion. Additionally, Spotify announced that it has surpassed 515 million monthly active users, with 210 million paying subscribers to its premium, ad-free service.

YouTube executives blamed the decline in ad revenue on a struggling economy and advertisers keeping a tight grip on their wallets. However, they highlighted growth in TikTok rival Shorts, YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, and YouTube Shopping as key drivers for the company’s long-term growth. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai stated that YouTube Shorts continues to see strong momentum with creators, and the goal is to be a one-stop-shop for multiple types of video content.

In contrast, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced that the company will be much more cautious about spending on content after a quarter marked by downsizing. The company laid off 6% of its workforce in January and restructured its podcasting and advertising business after a costly expansion in recent years. Ek said that the company will be diligent in how it invests in future content deals, and it will renew the ones that are performing.

Despite Spotify’s downsizing, the company’s revenue growth remained consistent with the previous quarter. Spotify’s gains also came from its free product, which generated 17% more revenue year-over-year, compared to a 14% gain in revenue for the premium product. This suggests that the company’s focus on expanding its user base may be paying off.

YouTube and Spotify’s Q1 earnings reports show different trajectories for the two digital media giants. While YouTube is experiencing a decline in ad revenue, it is still optimistic about its growth in other areas. In contrast, Spotify’s downsizing did not impede its revenue growth, and the company’s focus on expanding its user base continues to pay off.