Spotify adds group chats, aiming to bring WhatsApp-style conversations to music sharing

Spotify’s new group chats let users discuss and share what they are listening to inside the app.

• Spotify introduces group chats for up to 10 users to discuss audio content.
• Group chats require prior connection via playlists, Jam sessions, or Blends
• Messages are encrypted but not end-to-end, for shared listening experiences

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Spotify is expanding its social features once again, this time by introducing group chats inside its streaming app. Following the launch of one-to-one messaging last August, the company has confirmed that users can now create group conversations to share and discuss the content they are listening to, including podcasts, playlists, and audiobooks.

The new group chats support up to 10 participants and are designed to build on Spotify’s existing collaborative features rather than replace how people already share content elsewhere. To start a group chat, users must already have some form of prior connection inside the app. This includes having a collaborative playlist together, joining a Jam session, or participating in a Blend. Spotify is deliberately limiting who can message whom, likely to reduce spam and keep conversations tied to shared listening experiences.

Once a group chat is active, participants can easily share what they are currently listening to and discuss it in real time. The feature is positioned as a lightweight way to talk about music, podcasts, or audiobooks without needing to jump to a separate messaging app. Spotify has previously said that its messaging tools are intended to complement, not replace, external social platforms such as WhatsApp or Instagram, and that philosophy appears to continue with group chats.

The rollout is part of Spotify’s longer-term effort to make its app feel more social and community-driven. Over the years, the company has gradually layered in features that encourage interaction, including the ability to follow other users, see their listening activity, and leave comments on podcasts. Collaborative playlists, Blends, and Jam sessions have also played a central role in making shared listening a core part of the Spotify experience.

At the same time, Spotify is being careful about privacy and security. The company says that messages sent within group chats are encrypted both at rest and in transit. However, they are not protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning Spotify can technically access message content if required. This places the feature closer to in-app social tools than to fully private messaging platforms.

Group chats are likely to appeal most to users who already treat Spotify as a shared space, such as friends who regularly exchange playlists or podcast recommendations. By keeping the feature limited to existing connections, Spotify is reinforcing the idea that its messaging tools are about shared taste rather than open-ended social networking.

While group chats are not a dramatic shift on their own, they fit neatly into Spotify’s broader strategy. As competition in music and audio streaming intensifies, features that increase engagement and time spent in the app are becoming more important. Making it easier for users to talk about what they are listening to, without leaving Spotify, could help strengthen those habits over time.