Spotify is rolling out a sleek new way to chat right inside its mobile app. Starting this week, users aged 16 and older in select markets (including the US) can send direct messages (DMs) to friends they’ve connected with on Spotify. This update brings conversation and content-sharing under one digital roof, no more hopping between apps.
What’s the Buzz About?
- In-app DMs made simple: Sharing a song, podcast, or audiobook just got easier. Tap the share icon in the Now Playing view, pick a friend, and hit send.
- One-on-one only: Messages are private, one-on-one chats. Users can share content and messages with people they’ve already interacted with via Spotify features like Jams, Blends, Collaborative Playlists, or shared plans.
- Secure and private: The new messaging area includes its own inbox, accessible from your profile picture. Conversations are encrypted and protected, and you can manage privacy by accepting or rejecting message requests, blocking users, or opting out entirely. Messages can be reported or flagged if needed.
Built for music lovers – Spotify sees conversations about sharing content as core to its experience. This feature aims to capture those exchanges in one place no more sharing links to your chat apps.
Spotify previously offered in-app messaging but removed it in 2017 due to low engagement. Now, with nearly 696 million users globally, the company believes the time is right to reintroduce DMs.
The move adds a social layer to Spotify, helping it compete with Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube, especially as it aims for 1 billion users and looks to expand its video and podcast monetization tools.
A Note of Skepticism
Not everyone is convinced it’s a hit. Some users voiced frustration, calling the messaging feature unnecessary and wanting other updates like high-quality (Hi-Fi) audio first. Still, Spotify’s goal is not to replace apps like WhatsApp or TikTok, but to offer a complementary way to share audio content socially.
