Spotify Introduces Messaging Service – A New Way to Share Music and Podcasts

Spotify is taking a page from the messaging app playbook with the launch of its own messaging feature, aptly named ‘Messages.’ For years, tech enthusiasts have joked about Google adding messaging features to its various apps, and while the search giant eventually dropped that idea, Spotify is now making it a reality in its own way.

According to Spotify, users have asked for a space to share songs, podcasts, and audiobooks with friends and family and an easy way to keep track of recommendations. Enter ‘Messages,’ which allows users to share content directly from the app with others.

While this sounds convenient, Spotify’s move to integrate messaging into the app seems a bit puzzling. You can already share music and podcasts through popular apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger, so why create yet another messaging service? Spotify has yet to fully answer that question, focusing instead on how the new feature fosters conversations around music.

The feature is rolling out this week for both free and Premium users, aged 16 and older, in select markets, but it’s only available on mobile devices. Unlike other messaging apps that allow group chats, Messages on Spotify is strictly one-on-one. To share content, you simply tap the share icon on a song, podcast, or audiobook, choose a friend, and send it. Once they accept the message request, you can chat, send text responses, and even react with emojis – all while enjoying Spotify’s content.

It’s a neat concept for those who want to keep their music recommendations organized within the app, but it raises a few questions. Why use Spotify for this when apps like WhatsApp or Telegram already do the job? Is it a solution looking for a problem?