Spotify Launches ‘Prompted Playlist’ Feature in the US and Canada

Spotify is launching its ‘Prompted Playlist’ tool in beta in the US and Canada, having initially launched it in New Zealand in December.

What it does:

• The feature uses speech recognition technology to let users describe (in English) what they want to hear on a playlist.

• Spotify calls it “a new way to put meaningful control of the algorithm directly in your hands, with your ideas, your logic, and your creativity.”

How it works:

• Users can be as specific or broad with their prompt as they like.

• Spotify uses this example: “mood-boosting indie-pop for getting ready to go out with friends including songs recently featured on hit competition and reality shows that fit my taste, along with songs I love but haven’t played this year.”

• Spotify then generates the playlist using real-time information about trends, charts and culture, while factoring in users’ entire listening history.

• Each song contains a quick one-liner explaining why it made the playlist.

• Prompts can be edited at any time, and playlists set to refresh daily or weekly.

• To begin, open Spotify and tap Create, select Prompted Playlist and go from there.

Global roll-out:

• Prompted Playlist is available in beta for Premium listeners in the US and Canada.

• Spotify is yet to reveal roll-out dates in other territories.

What they said:

• Sulinna Ong, Global Head of Editorial: “Our editors spend a lot of time thoughtfully curating playlists, and that level of intention can be hard to replicate when you’re starting from scratch. Prompted Playlist offers a more intuitive entry point, letting users begin with moods, moments, or ideas in their own words, and build something that feels personal.”