Spotify is an online music platform that provides users with access to millions of songs. It also provides the users with the option to listen to thousands of playlists, podcasts, and radio stations. With the help of these features, Spotify has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.
Home tab
Spotify is an online music service that allows users to listen to music and discover new music. With more than 433 million users, it’s one of the largest music streaming services around. It also provides great flexibility in payment plans.
There are several features available on the app, including the ability to create playlists, share songs, listen to podcasts, and much more. The mobile version of the app is also compatible with the desktop version. However, some functions may not be available on the app.
The home tab is the main feed that features popular playlists and lists of what you’ve been listening to recently. Moreover, it offers recommendations based on your listening habits. You can also see what your friends are listening to.
Aside from the home tab, you can explore the vast library by browsing the Browse and Discover tabs. Those two areas also host all user-created playlists.
Spotify’s algorithm powers recommendations. These are based on your activity, including the number of times you have listened to a certain song, the genres you like, and your location.
As the name suggests, the Discover Weekly playlist is the crown jewel of Spotify’s recommendation system. This playlist compiles new releases from the artists you follow.
Search tab
Spotify is constantly updating its search options. This is in an effort to improve its user experience. You can use search to find new music, friends, and podcasts. Also, you can view your library and see the albums you’ve saved and listened to.
Currently, you can search for anything on Spotify. For example, you can search for the latest album from a specific artist. Alternatively, you can search for songs by genre. The search filters can help you avoid searching for irrelevant results and can connect you to your favorite artists, playlists, and podcasts.
There’s also an embedded search bar on the “Create Playlist” page. This allows you to search for new tracks and avoid the tedious steps of finding and adding them to a playlist.
To get started, open the Spotify app. On the home screen, you will see a list of recommended albums. If you tap the name of an album, you will be taken to that artist’s page.
Spotify will also show you your “Friends” list. You can follow a friend by tapping on their name or by clicking their phone number.
When you search for a song, you will be given recommendations based on your music tastes. These recommendations are sorted by category. You can choose between popular, featured, and new releases.
Radio tab
Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming services today. It allows its users to listen to unlimited songs. The company offers a Premium version which has more features and an ad-free experience. With a Premium subscription, you can also play back your music in a lossless format.
Spotify’s home screen has a variety of recommendations. These are created using an algorithm. You’ll see “Recommended for Today” and “Recommended for Yesterday.”
On the left side of the Spotify Home page, you’ll find a list of what you’ve been listening to recently. You can also view all of your favorite podcasts. Aside from the podcasts, you can listen to your favorite artists’ new songs, the year in review and the recommended songs.
In the Browse section, you’ll find a few charts. There’s the Recently Played, a playlist of your favorite songs, and your Made for You playlists. All of these are based on listening habits.
As with the other playlists, you can right-click a song and view the lyrics. Also, you can click the “enhance” button to add additional songs to the list. For instance, you can add up to 30 extra songs.
Another interesting feature is the Stories Behind the Lyrics. This tells you more about the song, its background and the story behind the lyrics. However, this feature is relatively new and doesn’t apply to all songs.
Podcasts
If you are looking for something to watch or listen to, you can check out Netflix or Hulu. However, if you are looking for more immersive entertainment, there are also podcasts available on Spotify.
In addition to listening to podcasts, you can rate them. This can be helpful for you as a listener, and it can also be valuable for creators of the shows.
You can rate a podcast on Spotify after you have listened to it. You can do this on desktop or mobile. Just listen for about 30 seconds and rate it. The app will then give you a rating of between one and five stars.
Spotify’s podcasts are a mix of originals and exclusives. You can choose from a variety of categories, from true crime to comedy. These include the podcasts WTF with Marc Maron and Twenty Thousand Hertz.
In addition to music and podcasts, Spotify has other features that make the experience easier. For instance, the app features a sleep timer, and a quick-rewind function. Another useful feature is the ability to download episodes for offline listening. There is also a feature to change the speed of a podcast.
Some of the other features of the Spotify app are the ability to rewind, re-queue, and skip ahead. It also includes a night timer and an alarm. Lastly, the app offers a streamlined menu.
Premium vs free
You might be wondering if you should pay for Spotify Premium or simply continue using the free version of the app. If you haven’t heard of the service yet, it is the world’s largest audio streaming service with over 70 million songs, podcasts, and videos. As of 2021, the company has over 180 million paying customers in over 180 countries.
While the Free version offers an endless loop of music, the Premium version gives you the option to download and listen to songs offline. It also has more features and better sound quality.
Premium users have access to Spotify Connect, which lets them play their music on other devices. The Premium version also has a voice-activated in-car connectivity device. With Premium, you can skip to the next song while driving, or save a track to listen to later.
Premium users also get access to a “Family Mix” that recommends songs based on what you’re listening to. Plus, there’s a personalised playlist called Time Capsule. This collection includes about 60 throwback tracks from your past.
On the downside, you’ll have to deal with occasional ads. However, these annoying ads aren’t a big deal for casual users. In addition, you can choose to ignore the tailored ads.
Wrapped
Spotify is making a big push with its Wrapped experience for 2018. The feature is a deep dive into your listening habits that’s reminiscent of Instagram’s Top Nine tool. It lets you view your top-listened songs, artists, albums, and podcasts of the year. You can then share your results on social media, TikTok, or with friends.
To start, you’ll need to open the Spotify mobile app. This is the only way to get access to this experience. There is no desktop version. After you install the app, you’ll see a landing page with a series of buttons, including “Your Artists Revealed,” “Wrapped 2021,” and “Show Us.” Click on the button for a full summary of your music habits.
In addition to the usual stats, you’ll also see personalized playlists for you to enjoy. Your playlists will contain the same artists you listen to, plus new ones. As you scroll through the list, you’ll learn more about your listening personality, and how you’re influenced by the songs and albums that you listen to.
Ultimately, this is a fun experience. Spotify analyzed your habits to come up with the best artists and songs you listened to in 2021.
Patents
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has approved a Spotify patent describing an audio analysis technology. This new tech could let the music streaming service monitor users and recommend songs based on their mood.
The patent describes a system that records a user’s speech and uses acoustic and speech data to identify their gender, age, and context. It also details a system that analyzes the environment to provide recommendations.
The system can also be used to recommend ads and suggest songs based on the user’s age, gender, and emotional state. It could even be used to predict artists that are most likely to break.
Spotify was awarded a voice recognition patent in January of this year. According to the company, the technology analyzes the speaker’s accent.
The company has not yet released any official plans regarding the use of the technology, but it claims to be testing it. They also say they are looking to perform similar tests to Voice Thing.
In a recent blog post, Fight for the Future, a digital rights group, said they’ve received an unreturned letter from Spotify. The letter outlined how the company’s surveillance system could hurt artists and consumers.