Spotify is rolling out a new messaging feature that allows users to chat with friends directly within the app, marking a step toward becoming a more social platform for music and podcast discovery.
For years, users have shared Spotify links through external platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook. Now, the streaming service wants to keep more of those conversations in-app by enabling one-on-one chats while also storing the history of shared tracks and podcasts. This way, listeners no longer need to search for a song or episode they previously received.
The feature is limited to people you’ve already shared content with such as through collaborative playlists, jams, blends, or via Family and Duo plans. A request must be approved before a conversation begins. Users can also start a chat if they receive a Spotify link from someone on an external platform, or by sending out an invite link to contacts.
Messages are housed under the “Messages” section in the profile hover bar, where users can reply, react with emojis, and manage conversations. Spotify noted that while chats are encrypted at rest and during transit, they are not end-to-end encrypted. The platform actively monitors flagged content to ensure compliance with its rules, and users can report messages for review.
The feature is currently available on mobile for users over 16 in select Latin American and South American markets. It will expand in the coming weeks to the US, Canada, Brazil, the UK, the EU, Australia, and New Zealand, across both free and premium tiers.
This update continues Spotify’s push to make its app more interactive, following earlier introductions like podcast comments and a redesigned, video-focused feed. By adding messaging, the company aims to keep content discovery and conversations in one place rather than dispersing them across external apps.
Source: Techcrunch
