Spotify adds private messaging to the app

Spotify has been rolling out new features lately, from personalized track transitions to better integration with Instagram. However, a recent update raises questions about its usefulness: private messages have now appeared on the service.

The company says users wanted a dedicated space within the app to share songs, podcasts and audiobooks with friends and family. Spotify now believes the private messaging feature will help artists find new audiences.

Starting this week, the service will begin rolling out private messaging to its smartphone apps for paid and free users aged 16 and over in select regions. You can find your chats or write a new message by tapping the profile icon in the main menu.

Spotify users will be able to select, accept or reject messages, and if they contain potentially illegal or harmful content, report the senders. Now, unwanted individuals can be blocked, and the notification feature can be turned off completely in the settings.

Spotify notes that users should continue to share their favorite songs through their favorite platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and more. Messages was designed to complement these integrations, not replace them.

It's unclear whether artists will be able to use the messaging feature to communicate with their listeners. Bloomberg previously reported that Spotify is working on a premium subscription that would give fans more opportunities to interact with artists. This could include access to exclusive content, merch, or faster ticket sales for concerts in exchange for additional monetization.

One example of this approach is a model popular in Asia, particularly in South Korea. There are apps like Weverse, where fans can follow specific artists and even message them. This format is not yet widespread in the West, mainly due to the lack of a similar platform. Spotify could potentially be the service that changes this.