Spotify improves the free experience with new tools and greater control
New tools include playlist personalisation, daylists, lyric sharing and instant play, designed to give users more control and discovery options.
Spotify is giving its free tier a makeover, adding a batch of features designed to make it easier to play, share and personalise music.
The updates, rolling out globally, reflect the platform’s push to improve the entry-level experience where most listeners start their streaming journey.
Alas, if only the change had been rolled out a little earlier this incident may have been avoided:
Spotify says the enhancements reflect a broader investment in making the platform the best meeting place for fans and creators, regardless of whether they pay for Premium or not.
As the company puts it: “Our goal is to help you get the most out of your music. We’re continuing to invest in making Spotify the best place for fans and creators to meet - no matter how they listen.”
More choice and control
Free users now have greater control over what they listen to.
Features like Pick & Play and Search & Play mean you can go straight to any song you want, instead of waiting for it to appear in a shuffle.
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Sharing has also been streamlined. That means if a friend or artist posts a track on social media, you can tap and start listening instantly.
Spotify says the goal is simple - help fans get closer to the songs and artists they already love while discovering new favourites.
The new feature allows users to search for a track and hit play
Custom playlists with personality
Playlists remain central to the Spotify experience, and free users are getting more creative tools to make them their own.
Users can now design playlist covers in-app with images, colours, text and graphics, a feature available in 128 markets.
It’s another way to give each playlist a unique identity, whether it’s a carefully curated road-trip mix or a guilty-pleasures list.
Spotify also continues to feed in personalised recommendations while you’re building playlists, making it easier to expand your selections with one tap.
Other tools rolled out by Spotify include customised playlists
Daylists, lyrics and discovery
A new daylist feature recognises that listening habits change throughout the day.
It updates regularly with tracks tailored to specific moods and times - morning coffee, late-night study sessions, or weekend workouts.
Discovery tools like Discover Weekly and Release Radar remain part of the mix, offering personalised suggestions and new releases based on listening behaviour.
Lyrics have also been integrated more deeply into the experience.
Users can swipe up in the Now Playing view to see scrolling, real-time lyrics, and even share them directly on Instagram, WhatsApp and other platforms. It’s an easy way to highlight a favourite line or let friends know what’s stuck in your head.
