On Tuesday, Spotify launched a feature that allows users to chat with friends, enhancing its social capabilities. For years, users have shared Spotify links to music and podcasts with others outside the app. The new feature encourages users to engage more within the platform while maintaining a history of shared content, eliminating the need to search for a song.
Initially, chat messages will be one-on-one, and users can only initiate a conversation with those they have previously shared content with. This means if you have a collaborative playlist, participated in a jam, or a blend with someone, you can start chatting with them. This also extends to individuals on a Family or Duo plan with you. After sending a request, they must approve it to begin the conversation.
If someone sends you a Spotify link via other platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, or TikTok, you can click on it and accept their chat request. Alternatively, you can extend an invitation link to someone in your contacts. The company emphasized that sharing content outside of Spotify should continue, and the new messaging feature serves as a “complement” to that practice.
Users can find the messaging option by tapping on their profile pictures. Conversations can be found in the Messages section on the left hover bar. Additionally, users can react to specific messages with emojis.
Spotify mentioned that messages are encrypted both at rest and during transit; however, they do not have end-to-end encryption. The company actively monitors messages to ensure they comply with its guidelines. Users also have the option to report messages, prompting an investigation in line with the terms of service and platform regulations.
Last month, Spotify’s Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström suggested during the quarterly call that the user experience on mobile would become significantly more interactive. The introduction of the messaging feature seems to align with this direction.
Spotify is currently rolling out the messaging feature to both premium and free users over the age of 16 in select Latin and South American markets, specifically for mobile devices. The company plans to expand the feature to the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the EU, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand in the upcoming weeks.
Historically, Spotify has included limited social features, such as the ability to follow users and view their listening habits. This has recently changed with the addition of features like podcast comments last year and a newly redesigned video-centric feed.
In an interview with TechCrunch last year, Spotify’s VP of Podcast Product Maya Prohovnik acknowledged the possibility of music tracks being open to comments in the future.
Recently, users on social media have expressed dissatisfaction with Spotify’s interface, claiming it has become cluttered with excessive features. My colleague Amanda Silberling, who transitioned from Spotify to Apple Music, experienced similar frustrations.
“There’s an overwhelming display of visual clutter from the time it takes to navigate from Spotify’s home page to the music you’re looking for,” she noted earlier this month.
While the messaging feature may encourage more content sharing among friends, it could also frustrate users who feel the app is becoming too complex. Fortunately, users can navigate to Settings > Privacy and social to disable messaging.
Also read: Shopify Revives ‘Hateful Content’ Policy Amid Backlash on Racist Merchandise Sales
