The subscribers spoke, and Spotify listened.
This week, the 19-year-old Swedish music streaming service will begin rolling out Messages within the Spotify app for subscribers to share recommendations about music, podcasts and audiobooks. Messages will be available to Free and Premium members 16 and older on mobile devices in certain markets.
Spotify says it will “continue building and refining the experience for more Spotify users around the globe in the months ahead.”
The company stressed that its in-app Messages shouldn’t be the only place users share recommendations. “As always, you should continue sharing Spotify content directly through your favorite platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, and more. Messages on Spotify are designed to complement these integrations, not replace them.”
Spotify says Messages will not only be great for users, but also artists, authors and creators to spread the word about their work and “create new fans.”
Adding the feature is pretty much a win-win, said Bruce Houghton, editor of music tech blog Hypebot. “Anything that Spotify does that makes it more like a social network and engages fans is good for artists and other creators,” Houghton told CNET. “The bigger win for them will be if Spotify expands Messages to also let them message their fans.”
The new process is straightforward: Tap the share icon next to whatever you’re listening to in the Now Playing View, select a friend, and hit “send.” On the receiving end, you can accept a message request, react with emoji and texts, and share content with the other person. You can get to Messages from your profile photo in the top left corner.
For now, Messages will only be one-to-one conversations with people you have interacted with before through Spotify. That includes friends and family with whom you’ve shared Spotify content, joined for Jams, Blends or collaborative playlists, or if you share a Family or Duo plan.
Spotify said that its standard rules against “illegal and harmful content” are also in effect in Messages and that its encryption technology will protect data there.
