Spotify Introducing New Messaging Feature To Service, Changing Situationships Forever

Spotify has announced that it’ll introduce direct messaging to the platform later this week, in an effort to improve its word-of-mouth recommendations.

Spotify has announced that users will soon be able to slide into each other’s DMs. So, expect your situationship to introduce you to some of the worst music you’ll ever hear, with fewer ways to avoid them now.

While users could always create playlists, share songs, podcasts and more across other social networks, the company is looking to revamp its social approach on its own platform.

Hoping to improve its “word-of-mouth” recommendations, Spotify will be launching ‘Messages’, a one-to-one direct message feature launching this week for users 16 and older in select markets on mobile devices.

In a statement, Spotify wrote, “Users have told us that they want a dedicated space within the app to share their next favourite song, podcast or audiobook with friends and family, and an easy way to keep track of recommendations.” The company states that its goal is “to give users what they want and make those moments of connection more seamless and streamlined in the Spotify app.”

To begin messaging, simply tap your profile icon and select “New message.” Then, you’ll be able to see the option to invite your known contacts, alongside suggestions based on past sharing activity, or if you’re on the same Family or Duo plan.

Spotify notes that users “should continue sharing Spotify content directly through your favourite platforms” like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat and TikTok: “Messages on Spotify is designed to complement these integrations, not replace them.”

The company added a disclaimer, confirming that chats are one-on-one and are encrypted. However, users can still report inappropriate or harmful messages. Spotify will then utilise “proactive detection technology” to scan the messages and allow its moderators to review the reported content.

It’s an unexpected turn for the platform, however, not entirely unsurprising. Within the past year, the platform has added various features to the app, including an AI DJ and music videos. These features have been met with mostly lukewarm reception. Especially now that the company is continuing to raise its prices, supposedly to accommodate all of these changes.