Spotify is doubling down on its social ambitions with group chat functionality that lets users share podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks with up to 10 people. The feature, rolling out now, builds on the messaging tool the company launched last August and marks another step in the streaming giant's effort to transform from a solitary listening app into a social network for audio enthusiasts.
Spotify just flipped the switch on group messaging, letting users turn their solo listening sessions into group conversations. The feature, announced this week, allows users to share podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks with up to 10 people at once - a natural evolution of the one-on-one messaging feature that launched last August.
But there's a catch. You can't just message anyone on the platform. Spotify is keeping things tight by only allowing conversations with people you've already connected with through the app's existing social features. That means you need to have created a collaborative playlist together, joined a Jam session, or mixed a Blend before you can slide into someone's group chat.
The move signals how serious Spotify has gotten about transforming from a streaming service into a full-fledged social network. Over the past few years, the Swedish audio giant has been steadily layering social elements into its core experience - from letting users follow friends and peek at their listening habits to adding comment sections on podcasts.
"Spotify is no longer just a streaming app, it's a social network," the company has been signaling through its product roadmap. The messaging features are designed to complement, not replace, how users already share content outside the app through platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, or iMessage.
The group chat rollout comes at a time when social features have become table stakes for consumer apps trying to boost engagement and retention. Discord built an empire around group voice and text chat for gamers. Apple Music has collaborative playlists. Even YouTube Music lets users share and discover through comments and community features.
