Spotify has introduced a new direct messaging feature inside its app, allowing users to share and discuss music, podcasts, and audiobooks without leaving the platform. Messages are rolling out this week to Free and Premium users aged 16 and older in select markets on mobile devices. The addition marks Spotify’s latest effort to make recommendations more interactive and to bring the social side of listening directly into the app.
The feature is designed for one-on-one conversations. Users can send tracks, albums, playlists, or episodes to people they already have connections with on Spotify, such as friends they have previously shared content with, members of a Duo or Family plan, or people they have joined Jams, Blends, or collaborative playlists with. Messages allow text replies, emoji reactions, and quick back-and-forth sharing, creating a dedicated space for music-driven conversations.
Starting a conversation is simple. While in the Now Playing view, you can tap the share icon, select a friend, and send a message request. Once accepted, the chat becomes a private thread where recommendations can continue. These threads are accessible by tapping the profile photo in the top left corner of the app, where all conversations are organized for easy access.
Spotify has emphasized that in-app Messages are not meant to replace sharing content on other platforms. Users can still post links to Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, or Snapchat, while Messages serve as an additional option for private exchanges within the app itself. This complements rather than competes with existing integrations, giving listeners more flexibility in how they share.
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, and we’re excited to continue offering more ways to drive hype for the Spotify content you love, wherever you are.
Privacy and control are central to the feature. Users can accept or decline message requests, block accounts, or opt out entirely through settings. Conversations are encrypted in transit and at rest, and Spotify uses proactive detection systems to identify harmful or illegal content while maintaining user privacy. Reported content is reviewed by moderators, ensuring that conversations remain safe.
By placing messaging within the app, Spotify is aiming to make word-of-mouth recommendations more seamless and convenient. Direct messaging builds on earlier experiments like Blend and collaborative playlists, but it pushes further by embedding conversations into the core experience. It also benefits artists and creators by making it easier for fans to recommend songs, podcasts, and audiobooks directly to others, potentially broadening their audiences.
This rollout is just the beginning. Spotify has confirmed that Messages will expand to more markets in the months ahead as the company refines the experience and gauges how listeners use the feature. With this addition, Spotify is positioning itself as more than a streaming service, moving closer to a space where discovery and conversation naturally go hand in hand.
