Spotify has launched a direct messaging feature that lets free and premium users share songs, podcasts, and audiobooks inside the app.
The company says the feature will roll out this week in select markets for users aged 16 and above. Messages work on mobile devices and aim to replace the habit of sharing Spotify links over text or social media.
How Spotify messages work
Users can open the Now Playing view, tap the share icon, and send a track, podcast, or audiobook to a friend. They can message people on the same Spotify plan or anyone they have already connected with through Blends, Jams, or Collaborative Playlists.
Shared content appears in a new inbox under the user’s profile picture in the top-left corner of the app. Messages support one-to-one chats, emoji reactions, and text conversations. Spotify says encryption will protect all conversations.
Users can accept or reject message requests, block accounts, or turn the feature off completely. They can also report a message or account by holding down on the text. Spotify says its system will scan messages for harmful or illegal content and review flagged conversations.
It is unclear whether artists will be able to use the feature to contact fans. Spotify describes messages as a way to complement social platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok.
Analysts believe the new tool shows Spotify’s push to add more social features. Extending access to free accounts could also make the platform more appealing to new users.
Spotify has not confirmed when the feature will expand worldwide.
