Spotify is developing a problem. It is getting to know longtime users so well that playlists and recommendations are starting to feel stale.
Through years of music streaming, and years of music skipping, users have pigeonholed themselves. As such, users are hearing the same old songs through the best headphones, day in and day out and it’s becoming tiresome.
So the introduction of a Snooze button for certain songs might be just what the doctor ordered for listeners who’ve had their fill of a certain track for the time being. In a blog post today Spotify explains how users can optimise their listening sessions by hitting snooze.
“If you need more of a break from a song, keep an eye out for our new 30-day Snooze feature,” the company says. “This option allows you to temporarily remove a track from your recommendations, so you can keep things fresh while leaving the door open for a future reunion.”
This joins a revamped Hide button that will hide and no longer play a track across all of your devices. Great for those songs you never want to hear again. Spotify is also adding more visible Add, Sort and Edit buttons for easier customisation of playlists, while users can also use their Liked songs list to build out playlists. There are also new collaborative playlist features.
“Now, by tapping the Create button “+” at the bottom-right side of your mobile app, you’ll be able to easily create your playlist, collaborate with friends, and join a Blend,” the company adds. “If you’re a mobile Premium user in a supported market, the Create button will also provide quick access to Jam for real-time listening with friends, and AI Playlist, where you can turn your most creative ideas into playlists.”
Opinion
I sympathise with Spotify here. This problem of encountering so much of your tastes down the hears has led to a stagnation of what shows up in your playlists. I currently subscribe to both Apple Music and Spotify because I love my Spotify playlists and it’s ability to play me just what I love at a moment’s notice. But I also want those tastes challenged by an app that doesn’t know me so well and assumes I’m open to new things.
How do you find the happy medium in this data-driven age? My preference is human playlist editors, but it’s a tough needle to thread.
