Spotify Unveils In-App Messaging to Boost Social Engagement. Spotify has launched a new in-app messaging feature aimed at encouraging more social interaction on its platform. The update allows users to connect directly with others without leaving the app. Technology has made it easier for businesses to achieve sustainability!
How Messaging Works
Users can now send direct messages (DMs) to contacts with whom they have shared music or collaborated on playlists. This includes those who joined a collaborative playlist, Blend, or Jam session. Members on the same Family or Duo plan can also chat, but both users must approve the connection first.
Currently, the feature supports only one-on-one conversations, not group chats.
Connecting Through Links
Spotify has long supported sharing through platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok. Now, when someone taps a Spotify link shared on those platforms, they can approve a chat request within the app. Users can also send an invitation link to start a new conversation.
Where to Find Messages
- To access messages:
- Tap your profile picture in the mobile app.
- Navigate to the ‘Messages’ section on the left-hand hover bar.
Users can react to individual messages with emoji responses. There’s also a reporting tool to flag inappropriate content, aligning with Spotify’s platform policies.
Privacy & Safety
Messages are encrypted at rest and during transmission, but they are not end-to-end encrypted. Spotify actively monitors content for policy compliance. Users can disable messaging altogether through the Privacy and Social section in the Settings menu.
Only users aged 16 and older can access this feature.
Where It’s Available
The messaging feature is currently rolling out in select Latin American and South American countries. Spotify plans to expand access to:
- The United States
- Canada
- Brazil
- The European Union
- The United Kingdom
- Australia
- New Zealand
The rollout will occur over the coming weeks.
Why Spotify Is Adding Messaging
According to Gustav Söderström, Spotify’s Chief Product and Technology Officer, the platform is aiming to become “much more interactive” on mobile. The new messaging tool builds on other recent social features, including:
Podcast comments
- A video-focused homepage redesign
- Spotify says the new feature is designed to complement, not replace, existing sharing methods.
- A Growing Interface – or a Cluttered One?
Some users have recently complained that Spotify’s app interface feels too crowded. While messaging may enhance interaction, it could also add to that concern. Spotify is working to balance new features with overall usability.
