Photo Credit: Jesus Eca
Here’s a peek at the new Spotify vertically scrolling home screen that mimics TikTok’s setup. It severely limits everyday usability in favor of ‘discoverability.’
The move is intended to attract more Gen Z users to the Spotify app—only 1 in 3 of the 18-24 cohort use the app. Now we’ve gotten a peek at the new vertical home screen Spotify plans on showcasing at its Stream On event in Los Angeles next month. The new interface allows listeners to swipe through content vertically that auto-plays as you explore. The feed itself includes video content, looping GIFs, and podcast recommendations.
Spotify has been moving at a glacial pace in terms of the tech world when it comes to implementing the vertical screen. Digital Music News has been reporting on the vertical feed since 2021—and much of the Spotify Community dislikes it.
“My ability to browse new music has been severely limited by the giant album covers. Are all my daily mixed there? Why do I need to spend a heap of time scrolling through content I have seen before and don’t want to see again?” inquires one member of the Spotify Cares community board.
Spotify introduced its Canvas feature back in 2019 as the first foray into letting artists add creative videos to the app. Users have responded to that feature with mixed feedback as well—many still prefer static album art over distracting looping GIFs. Despite the complaints, Spotify Canvas has helped drive engagement numbers up. Spotify says users are more likely to keep streaming, share tracks, or save tracks if the track has a Canvas associated with it.
“At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests in an effort to improve our user experience,” a Spotify spokesperson told Digital Music News. “Some of those tests end up having the way for our broader user experience and others serve only as an important learning. We don’t have any further news to share at this time.”