Spotify introduces in-app messaging for music and podcasts

Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming service, is stepping up its game by adding a brand-new direct messaging (DM) feature. With this update, users will be able to text friends within the app and share songs, podcasts, and audiobooks without relying on external platforms like WhatsApp or Instagram. The feature marks a major move in making Spotify not just a music streaming app but also a more interactive and social platform.

Spotify Launches In-App Messaging Feature

Spotify’s new messaging functionality allows users to chat directly inside the app while sharing their favorite content. Until now, listeners could only share songs or playlists via third-party apps, or use features like Spotify Blends and Jams. With the addition of messaging, users can spend more time within the Spotify ecosystem and engage with music recommendations more seamlessly.

How the Messaging Feature Works

Using the feature is simple. While listening to a song, podcast, or audiobook, users can:

1. Tap the Share button in the “Now Playing” window.

2. Choose a friend from their Spotify contacts.

3. Hit Send to share the content instantly.

The recipient will then receive a message request, which they can accept or deny. Once accepted, both users can interact freely via direct messages.

For now, Spotify has not introduced group messaging. The feature remains one-to-one, focusing on personal music sharing rather than group conversations.

Privacy, Security, and Controls

Spotify assures users that all in-app conversations will be encrypted and safeguarded with industry-standard security measures. The platform has also clarified that its existing community guidelines on illegal, harmful, or offensive content will extend to messages as well.

Additionally, users will have full control over their inbox. They can:

• Report inappropriate or unwanted messages.

• Block users they don’t want to interact with.

• Opt out of the messaging feature entirely if they prefer not to use it.

Importantly, the feature will be available only to users aged 16 and above in select regions initially, starting this week.

A Return After Eight Years

Interestingly, this is not Spotify’s first attempt at messaging. The app previously offered a similar feature, but it was discontinued back in 2017 due to low user engagement. The company seems confident this time, given the changing digital landscape and growing emphasis on social discovery in music.

Spotify Insists It’s Not Becoming a Social Media App

While the new feature may appear like a step toward transforming Spotify into a social media platform, the company has made its stance clear. Spotify claims that DMs are designed to improve in-app integration rather than compete with apps like Instagram, Facebook, or X.

Users will still be able to share songs across traditional social media channels, with no change to existing sharing tools. Instead, messaging is positioned as an additional layer of convenience, encouraging users to stay longer on Spotify itself.

Pricing Updates Alongside New Features

Alongside rolling out DMs, Spotify recently increased subscription prices in multiple regions, including India. The new pricing structure is as follows:

• Individual Plan: ₹139 per month (up from ₹119)

• Family Plan: ₹229 per month (up from ₹179)

The Family Plan saw the steepest hike, with a 28% increase. Despite this, Spotify hopes the addition of new features like messaging will improve user experience and justify the premium pricing.

What This Means for Spotify Users

The launch of in-app messaging is more than just a convenience feature—it reflects Spotify’s strategy to build a music-first social ecosystem. Instead of relying on external apps for recommendations, users can now discover and share content in real time, making the streaming experience more interactive and personalized.

For younger users, especially, this update could make Spotify a central hub for both entertainment and social connection.

Conclusion

Spotify’s reintroduction of messaging marks a major evolution in the way people interact with music and each other. By focusing on secure, personalized, and in-app interactions, Spotify is enhancing its platform beyond streaming, making it a place where conversations around music truly live.

Whether this new feature will succeed where its predecessor failed remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Spotify wants users to stay within its app longer and make music sharing more meaningful.