Spotify Adds In-App Messaging for Music Sharing

Spotify is stepping up its social game. The music streaming giant announced the rollout of in-app messaging, giving subscribers a new way to share music, podcasts, and audiobooks directly within the platform.

The feature, called Messages, will be available first to Free and Premium users aged 16 and older in select markets, with wider expansion planned in the coming months. Subscribers can now send recommendations without leaving Spotify, making music discovery more interactive.

How Spotify Messages Work

To use the feature, simply tap the share icon on any track in the Now Playing view, select a friend, and hit “send.” On the other end, recipients can:

Accept or decline message requests
React with emojis and text
Share content back in the conversation

Users can access Messages through their profile photo in the top left corner of the app. Currently, conversations are one-to-one only, limited to friends you’ve previously interacted with through Jams, Blends, collaborative playlists, or shared plans like Spotify Family or Duo.

Why It Matters

Spotify has long integrated with platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Snapchat for content sharing. Messages won’t replace those integrations but will complement them. According to Spotify, the move benefits both users and creators. Artists, podcasters, and authors can more easily spread their work, potentially attracting new fans.

Industry experts agree. Bruce Houghton, editor of Hypebot, told CNET: “Anything that makes Spotify more like a social network and engages fans is good for artists and creators.”

Security and Safety

Spotify emphasizes that its rules against illegal and harmful content still apply in Messages. Conversations are safeguarded with the company’s encryption technology to protect user data.

The Bigger Picture

If Spotify expands this feature to let artists directly message fans, it could mark a significant shift toward making the app a true music-focused social network. For now, Messages are a small but powerful step in blending streaming with community interaction.