Spotify has launched Direct Messages to allow friends and family share their favorite music, podcasts, audiobooks with one another.
The firm says recommendations have always been at the heart of the Spotify experience because word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways for people to discover their next favorite track.
“Our goal is to give users what they want and make those moments of connection more seamless and streamlined in the Spotify app,”announced the firm. “That’s why, beginning this week, Messages will start rolling out to Free and Premium users aged 16 years and older in select markets on mobile devices.”
The firm says its users will share songs, podcasts, or audiobooks with friends and family, and keep track of recommendations to enable artists, authors, and creators, spread more word-of-mouth and help create new fans.
Here’s how Messages work
One-on-one conversations on Spotify will build community and also increase reach and engagement of content as more users will share content and concurrently start a message in-app with their friends and family.
Users listening to a song, podcast, or audiobook in the Now Playing View, can tap the share icon, select a friend, and hit send. Once one accepts a message request, they will be able to react with emojis, send texts, and seamlessly share content back and forth.
The Messages are near the profile photo in the top left corner.
Spotify has had social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, and more and its own messages will complement these integrations, not replace them.
“We’re excited to continue offering more ways to drive hype for the Spotify content you love, wherever you are,”said the firm. “With Messages on Spotify, users are always in the driver’s seat. Users have the choice to accept or reject message requests from friends and family.”
For security, Spotify conversations are protected with industry-standard encryption and Spotify is utilizing proactive detection technology to scan messages for certain unlawful and harmful content, automatically and via moderators.