I think artists need to consider streaming as advertising. It's a good way for your music to be discovered by users looking for new music. If you remove your music from Spotify et. al. then you'll be missing out on new listeners.
With fewer and fewer people downloading music these days, I'm not sure how valuable free downloads even are as promotion any more.
With fewer and fewer people downloading music these days, I'm not sure how valuable free downloads even are as promotion any more.