For $11.99 a month, Spotify Premium gives you access to over 100 million tracks—much to the dismay of some music industry insiders. Whether you like it or not, streaming has dominated the music business, and Spotify, situated in Stockholm, is the epitome of this supremacy.
Over the past few years, the music-streaming service has undergone significant change, becoming more personalised and predictive while attracting an ever-widening selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and music. The following advice mostly pertains to Spotify Premium, however free users also have some choices. A summary of all the hidden and not-so-hidden tools to improve your music streaming experience may be found below.
1. Assisted Playlisting (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Mobile device playlist creation has always been possible, but AI-backed "aided playlisting" leverages machine learning to provide more personalised listening. The Spotify app will suggest songs for you when you make a new playlist by analysing the words you provide for the playlist name. The app provides you with more personalised recommendations based on the music you have previously added to the playlist as you add new ones.
2. Make a Radio Station Based on a Song (Source: Spotify/PCMag)
In a similar vein, Spotify can use a single song to generate a radio playlist. Go to radio by opening the music, tapping the three-dot menu next to the track, and then scrolling down. Spotify will use your favourite song as the basis for a music stream. In order to save it to your library, press the + sign.
3. Hello, Mr. DJ Put a Record on
Uncertain on what to listen to? Music will be served by Spotify's AI DJ along with some vintage DJ banter. It will suggest songs based on your listening history or play albums or artists you have not heard in a long time. Look for the glowing green orb on a blue background in the Home section, or search for "DJ."
4. Mix a Spotify Jam or Invite Friends to a Jam (Credit: PCMag/Spotify)
Although collaborative playlists can be risky, Spotify offers you a few choices for group DJ sessions if you respect your friends' musical preferences and believe in their judgement.
Spotify Jam enables Premium users to create a "Jam" out of playlists, allowing other Spotify users in your home who are connected to the same Wi-Fi network to join and contribute to your Jam. Visitors can join by tapping phones together, using your smartphone to scan a QR code, or clicking a sharing link you create for those who are listening from a distance. (People can listen in if they have a free Spotify account.) To begin, choose Start a Jam from the three-dot menu on a playlist. To end it, press End.
(Source: Spotify/PCMag) Spotify Blend
In contrast, Blend makes use of Spotify's recommendation system to provide a playlist that is tailored to the musical preferences of the users who are part of a Blend. Go to Search > Made For You > Create a Blend or search for "Blend" within the app. Once ten or more individuals have accepted the invitation, Spotify will compile the playlist, which may then be shared on social media. Spotify will compile your music from at least three Blends into a Friends Mix playlist, which is a kind of meta social playlist.
5. Include songs from TikTok on Spotify (Credit: TikTok)
With both new and old songs becoming viral on the app, music plays a significant role in the TikTok experience. (This contributes to the significance of the licencing dispute between Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok.) There is a simple method to add a song you enjoy from TikTok to your preferred music streaming service, such as Spotify. The "Add song" option may be found at the bottom of a TikTok video for both free and premium users. When a user touches the button for the first time, they will be prompted to choose a streaming provider by default. Any further clicks will instantly add the song to the user's music collection. In November, a comparable feature was introduced for Instagram.
6. Album Preview Using Scrollable Feeds
(Source: Spotify/PCMag)
Do you want to sample an album before you buy it? You can browse an album in a TikTok-style manner by swiping up through it to hear a few short excerpts from each song thanks to scrollable feeds. Look for the rectangular, animated icon next to the plus button on an album or playlist. To hear each song, slide up from the preview feed that appears when you tap it. By tapping the left and right arrows on sample cards (above, right), you can accomplish the same thing on the Home screen.
7. Smart Shuffle: Add Some Sparkle to Your Playlists (Source: Spotify/PCMag)
I have no doubt that your playlists are expertly crafted works of art. However, everyone becomes stuck. The Smart Shuffle feature, which inserts comparable songs into your playlist, can help your playlists grow. Tap the shuffle button twice to activate it (a sparkling icon will appear). After that, hit play. Spotify will suggest one song for every three tracks in a playlist with more than 15 songs. Tap the + button to skip the song or add it to your playlist. Tap the shuffle button on a playlist once more to turn it on and off.
8. Sort Favourite Songs (Source: Spotify/PCMag)
Have you come upon a music that you want to listen to repeatedly? You may add it to your playlist of "Liked Songs" by tapping the "+" button. However, this playlist may become cluttered if you have a sizable collection of favourites. Filter the Liked Songs playlist by mood or genre to focus your listening. A scrollable row of filters will appear at the top when you select Your Library > Favourite Songs. When you tap one, the music that fit that option will be added to your playlist. To go back to the complete list, tap the "X."
9. Listen to Your Favourite Disney+ and Netflix Songs
(Source: Spotify/PCMag)
Do you want your music to become the number one song on the streaming charts? Perhaps become friends with the music director of a well-known streaming programme. Ask Kate Bush, whose 1985 song "Running Up That Hill" witnessed an 8,700% increase in streaming in 2022 as a result of its placement in Stranger Things on Netflix. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga's 2011 single "Bloody Mary" witnessed a spike in streaming after Wednesday's Netflix viewers performed a TikTok dance mash-up that included a sped-up version of the song. (In reality, Wednesday is dancing to The Cramps in the show.)
Spotify now features hubs devoted to well-known Netflix and Disney+ tracks as well as other properties after realising that users wanted to play music from their favourite series and films. Find playlists for Wicked, Arcane, Nobody Wants This, and other shows by going to Search > TV & Movies (or Search > Netflix or Search > Disney).
10. By default, the album shuffle is off.
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Initially, shuffle play was enabled by default for Spotify Premium albums for some reason. That is, until Adele asked the streaming service to stop it in 2021. Spotify agreed, acknowledging that individuals might want to cry in the sequence Adele planned. "Is there anything you need?" it tweeted. When you first listen to an album, it makes sense to listen to it in order, but maybe it is just the older millennial in me talking. Now, you have to proactively press the shuffle button before pressing play if you want to hop around and disregard caution.
11. Listen to the Hits
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
A band or musician experiences many stages throughout their career, and some are unavoidably superior to others. The "year" search modifier on Spotify allows you to bypass all of the mediocre years. Therefore, Spotify will only play Madonna's music from the 1980s if you search for her with the search variable "year:1980-1990" (no spaces).
12. Get Podcasts and Music to Listen to Offline
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Any podcast, album, or playlist—not just individual songs—can be downloaded and listened to offline if you have Spotify Premium. touch the downward-pointing arrow next to the content you wish to download; you can also choose the three dots and then touch "download" for playlists. Tap the arrow button once more to delete the downloads later (large playlists will use up your phone's storage).
Go to Settings > Audio Quality > Download Using Cellular and make sure the option is turned off in order to save data and only download while connected to Wi-Fi. (Note: In order for Spotify to validate your account, you must return online at least once per month if you go offline. In this manner, you are unable to download music on a device, delete your Spotify account, and then listen to it continuously.
13. Mode of Data Saving
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Streamers who are concerned about data might choose to use the Data Saver Mode function in their mobile apps. Toggle Data Saver on or off by tapping on it from the app's gear icon. Data Saver helps your phone use less data when streaming music by caching information from songs you have recently listened to. Although Spotify claims to be able to cut data usage by up to 75%, you can save on-device storage space if you have an unlimited data plan.
14. Highlight the Greatest Features of a Podcast (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Although its primary focus is music, Spotify has made significant investments in podcasting as well. However, sorting through the more than 6 million podcasts on the platform can be challenging. Although recommendations and word-of-mouth are quite important in this case, podcasters can be a bit wordy. Share an episode from a certain point in a podcast to highlight its best features. A toggle option to "Share from [timestamp]" will appear when you tap the share button within an episode. Activate it, choose your preferred sharing site, and the shared clip will begin at the timing you specify.
Suggested by Our Editors
Do You Dislike Your Spotify Wrapped? Eight Ways to Discover New Music
You may now listen to audiobooks for free with Amazon Music Unlimited.
Introducing Spotify Wrapped 2024, a Collection of AI Tricks: How to View Yours
15. Obtain Transcripts for Podcasts
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Spotify began experimenting with podcast accessibility features, such as transcripts, in 2021. You may read along with millions of podcast episodes thanks to the introduction of auto-generated and time-synchronized transcripts for additional producers and shows in the autumn of 2023. Originally, these were only applicable to Spotify Originals. Look for the "Episode Transcript" option beneath the episode description of series that are supported.
16. Accounts with Premium Features Receive 15 Hours of Monthly Audiobook Listening (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
After music and podcasts, audiobooks are Spotify's most recent huge bet. 15 hours of listening are provided each month to anyone with a Premium individual plan or to plan administrators for Family and Duo accounts. Simply search for "Included in Premium" on a few choice books. You can buy a 10-hour top-up or buy the book you are listening to outright if you use up all 15 hours and do not want to wait until your allotted time is up. Check your listening history by going to Settings and privacy > Account. To find out how much listening time you have left or when your listening hours renew, tap your plan and choose the audiobook option at the top.
17. Retrieve Deleted Playlists (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Have you ever unintentionally clicked "delete" on a playlist and the pop-up box asking if you truly wanted to do that? Did you? Fortunately for you, my buddy who struggles with decision-making, Spotify is on your side and lets you recover your deleted playlists. You can locate deleted playlists by logging in to your profile page on Spotify's website and selecting Recover playlists. To restore them, click Restore.
18. Begin a Private Meeting (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Sharing your listening preferences is possible with Spotify Friend Activity. However, it is possible that you are enjoying some of NSYNC's best songs and do not want to share that. To temporarily halt music sharing, switch to a Private Session. Select Private session under Settings > Privacy & Social. Keep track of how long you listen because your account will be secret for six hours.
One advantage here? avoiding interfering with your Spotify Wrapped. In recent years, many people discovered that the ambient noises they listened to before bed or endless hours of child tunes were among their most-streamed music of the year. However, Spotify Wrapped and its recommendations do not take into account the music you listen to during a private session. Therefore, schedule a private session before you fall asleep to rain noises for two hours. To keep their music apart from yours, download the Spotify Kids app if you have a Spotify Premium Family plan.
19. Make Your "Taste Profile" Cleaner
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Spotify adds songs it believes you would enjoy to well-known playlists like Discover Weekly. However, it can lead to perplexing recommendations if your music tastes are all over the place (e.g., toddler-approved playlists, white-noise podcasts for bedtime, gym tunes). Remove some playlists from your Taste Profile to give Spotify some guidance. Simply choose Exclude from your Taste Profile from the three-dot menu on the offending playlist.
20. Give your roommates and children access to your account.
[Source: Getty Images]
Alternatively, sharing your account is only possible with a Spotify Premium Family plan. Additionally, everyone with whom you share your account needs to reside in the same physical location. For instance, you cannot purchase a family plan and add profiles for your sister and mother who reside in different places. Other than asking you to enter your address when you sign up for a family plan, Spotify does not exactly explain how it confirms that you all reside in the same location. However, Spotify will remove you if it discovers that you are dishonest, so it is probably not worth attempting to fool the system. Up to six accounts can be supported with a family plan, which costs $19.99 per month.
21. Transfer to a Different Device
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Music can be beaming to compatible devices on the same Wi-Fi network by those who have the Spotify app. This includes adjacent computers, consoles, smart speakers, and gadgets with Bluetooth or Airplay capabilities. Use it by opening the Spotify app, choosing a song, bringing the app to full screen, and then searching for the Connect symbol in the lower left corner. Choose the device you wish to connect to from the window that appears. A Spotify Premium account is necessary for some installations.
Over the past few years, the music-streaming service has undergone significant change, becoming more personalised and predictive while attracting an ever-widening selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and music. The following advice mostly pertains to Spotify Premium, however free users also have some choices. A summary of all the hidden and not-so-hidden tools to improve your music streaming experience may be found below.
1. Assisted Playlisting (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Mobile device playlist creation has always been possible, but AI-backed "aided playlisting" leverages machine learning to provide more personalised listening. The Spotify app will suggest songs for you when you make a new playlist by analysing the words you provide for the playlist name. The app provides you with more personalised recommendations based on the music you have previously added to the playlist as you add new ones.
2. Make a Radio Station Based on a Song (Source: Spotify/PCMag)
In a similar vein, Spotify can use a single song to generate a radio playlist. Go to radio by opening the music, tapping the three-dot menu next to the track, and then scrolling down. Spotify will use your favourite song as the basis for a music stream. In order to save it to your library, press the + sign.
3. Hello, Mr. DJ Put a Record on
Uncertain on what to listen to? Music will be served by Spotify's AI DJ along with some vintage DJ banter. It will suggest songs based on your listening history or play albums or artists you have not heard in a long time. Look for the glowing green orb on a blue background in the Home section, or search for "DJ."
4. Mix a Spotify Jam or Invite Friends to a Jam (Credit: PCMag/Spotify)
Although collaborative playlists can be risky, Spotify offers you a few choices for group DJ sessions if you respect your friends' musical preferences and believe in their judgement.
Spotify Jam enables Premium users to create a "Jam" out of playlists, allowing other Spotify users in your home who are connected to the same Wi-Fi network to join and contribute to your Jam. Visitors can join by tapping phones together, using your smartphone to scan a QR code, or clicking a sharing link you create for those who are listening from a distance. (People can listen in if they have a free Spotify account.) To begin, choose Start a Jam from the three-dot menu on a playlist. To end it, press End.
(Source: Spotify/PCMag) Spotify Blend
In contrast, Blend makes use of Spotify's recommendation system to provide a playlist that is tailored to the musical preferences of the users who are part of a Blend. Go to Search > Made For You > Create a Blend or search for "Blend" within the app. Once ten or more individuals have accepted the invitation, Spotify will compile the playlist, which may then be shared on social media. Spotify will compile your music from at least three Blends into a Friends Mix playlist, which is a kind of meta social playlist.
5. Include songs from TikTok on Spotify (Credit: TikTok)
With both new and old songs becoming viral on the app, music plays a significant role in the TikTok experience. (This contributes to the significance of the licencing dispute between Universal Music Group (UMG) and TikTok.) There is a simple method to add a song you enjoy from TikTok to your preferred music streaming service, such as Spotify. The "Add song" option may be found at the bottom of a TikTok video for both free and premium users. When a user touches the button for the first time, they will be prompted to choose a streaming provider by default. Any further clicks will instantly add the song to the user's music collection. In November, a comparable feature was introduced for Instagram.
6. Album Preview Using Scrollable Feeds
(Source: Spotify/PCMag)
Do you want to sample an album before you buy it? You can browse an album in a TikTok-style manner by swiping up through it to hear a few short excerpts from each song thanks to scrollable feeds. Look for the rectangular, animated icon next to the plus button on an album or playlist. To hear each song, slide up from the preview feed that appears when you tap it. By tapping the left and right arrows on sample cards (above, right), you can accomplish the same thing on the Home screen.
7. Smart Shuffle: Add Some Sparkle to Your Playlists (Source: Spotify/PCMag)
I have no doubt that your playlists are expertly crafted works of art. However, everyone becomes stuck. The Smart Shuffle feature, which inserts comparable songs into your playlist, can help your playlists grow. Tap the shuffle button twice to activate it (a sparkling icon will appear). After that, hit play. Spotify will suggest one song for every three tracks in a playlist with more than 15 songs. Tap the + button to skip the song or add it to your playlist. Tap the shuffle button on a playlist once more to turn it on and off.
8. Sort Favourite Songs (Source: Spotify/PCMag)
Have you come upon a music that you want to listen to repeatedly? You may add it to your playlist of "Liked Songs" by tapping the "+" button. However, this playlist may become cluttered if you have a sizable collection of favourites. Filter the Liked Songs playlist by mood or genre to focus your listening. A scrollable row of filters will appear at the top when you select Your Library > Favourite Songs. When you tap one, the music that fit that option will be added to your playlist. To go back to the complete list, tap the "X."
9. Listen to Your Favourite Disney+ and Netflix Songs
(Source: Spotify/PCMag)
Do you want your music to become the number one song on the streaming charts? Perhaps become friends with the music director of a well-known streaming programme. Ask Kate Bush, whose 1985 song "Running Up That Hill" witnessed an 8,700% increase in streaming in 2022 as a result of its placement in Stranger Things on Netflix. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga's 2011 single "Bloody Mary" witnessed a spike in streaming after Wednesday's Netflix viewers performed a TikTok dance mash-up that included a sped-up version of the song. (In reality, Wednesday is dancing to The Cramps in the show.)
Spotify now features hubs devoted to well-known Netflix and Disney+ tracks as well as other properties after realising that users wanted to play music from their favourite series and films. Find playlists for Wicked, Arcane, Nobody Wants This, and other shows by going to Search > TV & Movies (or Search > Netflix or Search > Disney).
10. By default, the album shuffle is off.
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Initially, shuffle play was enabled by default for Spotify Premium albums for some reason. That is, until Adele asked the streaming service to stop it in 2021. Spotify agreed, acknowledging that individuals might want to cry in the sequence Adele planned. "Is there anything you need?" it tweeted. When you first listen to an album, it makes sense to listen to it in order, but maybe it is just the older millennial in me talking. Now, you have to proactively press the shuffle button before pressing play if you want to hop around and disregard caution.
11. Listen to the Hits
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
A band or musician experiences many stages throughout their career, and some are unavoidably superior to others. The "year" search modifier on Spotify allows you to bypass all of the mediocre years. Therefore, Spotify will only play Madonna's music from the 1980s if you search for her with the search variable "year:1980-1990" (no spaces).
12. Get Podcasts and Music to Listen to Offline
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Any podcast, album, or playlist—not just individual songs—can be downloaded and listened to offline if you have Spotify Premium. touch the downward-pointing arrow next to the content you wish to download; you can also choose the three dots and then touch "download" for playlists. Tap the arrow button once more to delete the downloads later (large playlists will use up your phone's storage).
Go to Settings > Audio Quality > Download Using Cellular and make sure the option is turned off in order to save data and only download while connected to Wi-Fi. (Note: In order for Spotify to validate your account, you must return online at least once per month if you go offline. In this manner, you are unable to download music on a device, delete your Spotify account, and then listen to it continuously.
13. Mode of Data Saving
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Streamers who are concerned about data might choose to use the Data Saver Mode function in their mobile apps. Toggle Data Saver on or off by tapping on it from the app's gear icon. Data Saver helps your phone use less data when streaming music by caching information from songs you have recently listened to. Although Spotify claims to be able to cut data usage by up to 75%, you can save on-device storage space if you have an unlimited data plan.
14. Highlight the Greatest Features of a Podcast (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Although its primary focus is music, Spotify has made significant investments in podcasting as well. However, sorting through the more than 6 million podcasts on the platform can be challenging. Although recommendations and word-of-mouth are quite important in this case, podcasters can be a bit wordy. Share an episode from a certain point in a podcast to highlight its best features. A toggle option to "Share from [timestamp]" will appear when you tap the share button within an episode. Activate it, choose your preferred sharing site, and the shared clip will begin at the timing you specify.
Suggested by Our Editors
Do You Dislike Your Spotify Wrapped? Eight Ways to Discover New Music
You may now listen to audiobooks for free with Amazon Music Unlimited.
Introducing Spotify Wrapped 2024, a Collection of AI Tricks: How to View Yours
15. Obtain Transcripts for Podcasts
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Spotify began experimenting with podcast accessibility features, such as transcripts, in 2021. You may read along with millions of podcast episodes thanks to the introduction of auto-generated and time-synchronized transcripts for additional producers and shows in the autumn of 2023. Originally, these were only applicable to Spotify Originals. Look for the "Episode Transcript" option beneath the episode description of series that are supported.
16. Accounts with Premium Features Receive 15 Hours of Monthly Audiobook Listening (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
After music and podcasts, audiobooks are Spotify's most recent huge bet. 15 hours of listening are provided each month to anyone with a Premium individual plan or to plan administrators for Family and Duo accounts. Simply search for "Included in Premium" on a few choice books. You can buy a 10-hour top-up or buy the book you are listening to outright if you use up all 15 hours and do not want to wait until your allotted time is up. Check your listening history by going to Settings and privacy > Account. To find out how much listening time you have left or when your listening hours renew, tap your plan and choose the audiobook option at the top.
17. Retrieve Deleted Playlists (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Have you ever unintentionally clicked "delete" on a playlist and the pop-up box asking if you truly wanted to do that? Did you? Fortunately for you, my buddy who struggles with decision-making, Spotify is on your side and lets you recover your deleted playlists. You can locate deleted playlists by logging in to your profile page on Spotify's website and selecting Recover playlists. To restore them, click Restore.
18. Begin a Private Meeting (Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Sharing your listening preferences is possible with Spotify Friend Activity. However, it is possible that you are enjoying some of NSYNC's best songs and do not want to share that. To temporarily halt music sharing, switch to a Private Session. Select Private session under Settings > Privacy & Social. Keep track of how long you listen because your account will be secret for six hours.
One advantage here? avoiding interfering with your Spotify Wrapped. In recent years, many people discovered that the ambient noises they listened to before bed or endless hours of child tunes were among their most-streamed music of the year. However, Spotify Wrapped and its recommendations do not take into account the music you listen to during a private session. Therefore, schedule a private session before you fall asleep to rain noises for two hours. To keep their music apart from yours, download the Spotify Kids app if you have a Spotify Premium Family plan.
19. Make Your "Taste Profile" Cleaner
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Spotify adds songs it believes you would enjoy to well-known playlists like Discover Weekly. However, it can lead to perplexing recommendations if your music tastes are all over the place (e.g., toddler-approved playlists, white-noise podcasts for bedtime, gym tunes). Remove some playlists from your Taste Profile to give Spotify some guidance. Simply choose Exclude from your Taste Profile from the three-dot menu on the offending playlist.
20. Give your roommates and children access to your account.
[Source: Getty Images]
Alternatively, sharing your account is only possible with a Spotify Premium Family plan. Additionally, everyone with whom you share your account needs to reside in the same physical location. For instance, you cannot purchase a family plan and add profiles for your sister and mother who reside in different places. Other than asking you to enter your address when you sign up for a family plan, Spotify does not exactly explain how it confirms that you all reside in the same location. However, Spotify will remove you if it discovers that you are dishonest, so it is probably not worth attempting to fool the system. Up to six accounts can be supported with a family plan, which costs $19.99 per month.
21. Transfer to a Different Device
(Source: PCMag/Spotify)
Music can be beaming to compatible devices on the same Wi-Fi network by those who have the Spotify app. This includes adjacent computers, consoles, smart speakers, and gadgets with Bluetooth or Airplay capabilities. Use it by opening the Spotify app, choosing a song, bringing the app to full screen, and then searching for the Connect symbol in the lower left corner. Choose the device you wish to connect to from the window that appears. A Spotify Premium account is necessary for some installations.
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