diff --git a/core/spotify_client.py b/core/spotify_client.py
index f04ca6d2..bb7af518 100644
--- a/core/spotify_client.py
+++ b/core/spotify_client.py
@@ -577,25 +577,17 @@ class SpotifyClient:
         except Exception:
             return False
 
-    def _has_spotify_credentials(self) -> bool:
-        """Whether Spotify client credentials are configured (a 'connected'
-        user, even if currently rate-limit-banned). Drives the auto-bridge."""
-        try:
-            cfg = config_manager.get_spotify_config() or {}
-            return bool(cfg.get('client_id') and cfg.get('client_secret'))
-        except Exception:
-            return False
-
     def _free_installed(self) -> bool:
         from core.spotify_free_metadata import spotify_free_installed
         return spotify_free_installed()
 
     def _free_wanted(self) -> bool:
-        """Does the user want Spotify metadata at all? Either they have
-        credentials (connected → eligible for the rate-limit auto-bridge) or
-        they explicitly chose 'Spotify Free'. This is what keeps the free source
-        from auto-scraping for someone who never opted into Spotify."""
-        return self._has_spotify_credentials() or self._free_selected()
+        """Does the user actually want the free source? OPT-IN: only when they
+        picked 'Spotify Free'. This keeps free from auto-scraping for anyone who
+        didn't choose it — a plain-'Spotify' user just waits out a rate-limit ban
+        as before. A user on 'Spotify Free' who also connects an account uses the
+        official account normally and free only bridges their bans."""
+        return self._free_selected()
 
     def _free_available(self) -> bool:
         """Free CAN serve: package installed AND the user wants Spotify."""
diff --git a/tests/test_spotify_free_metadata.py b/tests/test_spotify_free_metadata.py
index ccfff97e..e09c367d 100644
--- a/tests/test_spotify_free_metadata.py
+++ b/tests/test_spotify_free_metadata.py
@@ -162,9 +162,23 @@ def test_connected_healthy_uses_official():
     assert avail is True and free is False  # official; free never opens
 
 
-def test_connected_ratelimited_bridges_to_free():
+def test_plain_spotify_ratelimited_does_NOT_bridge():
+    # OPT-IN: a user on plain 'Spotify' (didn't pick Spotify Free) waits out a
+    # rate-limit ban — free does NOT auto-bridge for them. No surprise scraping.
     avail, free = _gate(authed=False, has_creds=True, selected=False, installed=True, rate_limited=True)
-    assert avail is True and free is True   # auto-bridge, no toggle needed
+    assert avail is False and free is False
+
+
+def test_spotify_free_user_ratelimited_bridges():
+    # A user who DID pick Spotify Free and also connected an account: official
+    # when healthy, free bridges during a ban.
+    avail, free = _gate(authed=False, has_creds=True, selected=True, installed=True, rate_limited=True)
+    assert avail is True and free is True
+
+
+def test_spotify_free_user_healthy_uses_official():
+    avail, free = _gate(authed=True, has_creds=True, selected=True, installed=True, rate_limited=False)
+    assert avail is True and free is False   # picked Spotify Free but authed -> official
 
 
 def test_no_auth_picked_spotify_free_serves():
diff --git a/webui/index.html b/webui/index.html
index 3092c057..99b951cc 100644
--- a/webui/index.html
+++ b/webui/index.html
@@ -3846,7 +3846,13 @@
                                         </select>
                                     </div>
                                     <div class="callback-info">
-                                        <div class="callback-help">Choose the primary source for artist, album, and track metadata. <strong>Spotify</strong> needs a connected account. <strong>Spotify Free</strong> pulls the same Spotify data without credentials (unofficial &amp; best-effort — can break if Spotify changes, can't search albums by name, no library access). Either way, a connected Spotify that hits a rate-limit is automatically bridged by the free source if it's installed. Discogs requires a personal token. MusicBrainz is always available but rate-limited to 1 req/sec.</div>
+                                        <div class="callback-help">Where artist, album, and track metadata comes from:<br>
+                                            • <strong>Spotify</strong> — official Spotify; connect your account in the Spotify section below.<br>
+                                            • <strong>Spotify Free</strong> — the same Spotify catalog with no account needed. It's unofficial and best-effort (may break if Spotify changes its site), can't search albums by name (album results come from iTunes/Deezer instead), and can't read your personal library or playlists.<br>
+                                            • <strong>Deezer</strong> / <strong>iTunes</strong> — free, no account.<br>
+                                            • <strong>MusicBrainz</strong> — free, but limited to 1 request/sec.<br>
+                                            • <strong>Discogs</strong> — needs a personal access token.<br><br>
+                                            Tip: if you pick <strong>Spotify Free</strong> and later connect a real Spotify account, it uses the official account normally and only falls back to free while Spotify is rate-limited — then switches back automatically.</div>
                                     </div>
                                 </div>