Spotify is no longer just a streaming app, it's a social network | TechCrunch

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses Spotify's recent launch of comments on podcasts, which is seen as a step towards building a social networking experience within the music streaming app. The article explores Spotify's efforts to add more social features, such as TikTok-like discovery feeds, artist profiles, and the ability to post stories, transforming the app into a social network centered around audio content, not just music streaming.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Spotify's Social Networking Features

1. What are some of the new social features Spotify has added to its app?

• Spotify has added comments on podcast episode pages, allowing podcasters to engage directly with listeners
• The app's 2023 revamp added a TikTok-like discovery feed, artist profiles where creators can sell merchandise and concert tickets, and the ability to post to stories
• Spotify has also added features like Polls, Q&As, Spotify Clips (similar to Stories), Countdown Pages, and the ability for users to follow creators and friends and collaborate on playlists

2. How does Spotify's approach to building a social network differ from Apple's past attempts?

• Unlike Apple's bold declaration of building a "Facebook and Twitter meet iTunes" social network with Ping, Spotify has quietly and slowly rolled out social features without making a grand announcement
• Apple's Ping and Connect features did not find success, while Spotify has been more gradual and incremental in adding social functionality to its app

3. What is Spotify's motivation behind adding these social features?

• Spotify aims to transform its app from a music streaming service to a social network centered around audio content, in order to compete for users' time and ad dollars spent on larger social networks

[02] Potential for Comments on Artist Pages

1. What is Spotify's stance on adding comments to artist pages?

• Spotify VP of Podcast Product Maya Prohovnik did not outright deny that the idea of adding comments to artist pages is under consideration, but stated that Spotify wants to do what is best for the format and the creators/artists

2. How could adding comments to artist pages be a more compelling addition compared to podcast comments?

• The article suggests that the fanbases around musicians tend to be larger and more active than those around most podcasts, so adding comments to artist pages could be an even more compelling social feature for Spotify

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