I have a big problem with Spotify's new messaging feature — here's why

Composition of iPhone, Apple Watch and Airpods while using Spotify online music streaming apps.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

I've already written about how the new Spotify messaging feature might be weird — but now that I've had the chance to give it a try, I am even further mystified. Who asked for this? Who's actually going to use it? Why can't I just keep using one of the hundreds of other messaging apps installed on my poor phone?

It's another notch in my piece of wood labeled "Spotify's feature bloat," something that's already been notched far too much. But where some of the features Spotify releases at least feel useful, this latest one reeks of a weird desperation.

It's strange, right? It works. I can message people in Spotify, and share with them albums, tracks, playlists, and more. But, like. Why?

How does it work?

Spotify messaging — (Image credit: Tom's Guide/Spotify)

It's all very simple. You hit your profile picture in the top left of the home screen, and select the messaging icon. From there, you can send messages to various members of the Spotify community that you've interacted with before, be that through shared playlists, jams, or other Spotify features.

You can also share albums with your friends by hitting the share button. There's now a new bar filled with other Spotify users to choose from so that you can share music taste with the people you know — or abject strangers.

They can respond, of course, but there aren't any image-sharing options or GIFs that you can send. "No GIFs?" my colleague Nikita said through gritted teeth. "What's the point then?"

Like... why?

A screenshot showing how to listen to audiobooks on Spotify — (Image credit: Future)

To some degree, I understand the likes of audiobooks and even Spotify AI. Tangible, useful updates that ostensibly increase the value of your quite expensive subscription. But, as Nikita points out — why? What's the point of a messenger built directly into the Spotify app?

I am already able to share playlists, tracks and albums with my friends over Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, iMessage, email and other apps. So why do I need to do it in my streaming app? It feels like an extra feature that Spotify didn't need — as much as it wants to be the 'everything app,' I'm not entirely sure that's what everyone wants from their streamer.

It's interesting that we're still waiting for the likes of Spotify HiFi to come along, and then Spotify drops messaging on us instead. It's being rolled out to apps around the world now, and it'll be available to users aged 16 and above. You'll be asked for permission to receive messages, and initial messages to your friends will be called "message requests." Give it a go, like I did — but I'm sure you'll agree that you're probably never going to come back to it again.

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Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

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