Hello and happy Friday and thanks for reading the latest issue of the Spotify Newsletter.

ChatGPT is all the rage these days. So I dialed up the AI chatbot and asked a few Spotify questions.

— Why is Spotify popular?

Spotify is popular for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it offers a large and diverse library of music, podcasts, and audiobooks, with millions of songs available for streaming. This variety of content appeals to a wide range of users, making it a popular choice for music lovers and podcast enthusiasts alike.

Another reason for its popularity is its user-friendly interface and personalized recommendations, which make it easy for users to discover new music and content that they will enjoy. The platform's social features, such as the ability to share playlists and tracks with friends, also help to build a community around music and podcast consumption.

Additionally, Spotify offers several subscription options, including a free version with ads and a premium version that provides ad-free streaming, offline playback, and higher quality audio. This flexibility and affordability have made it a popular choice for people who want to enjoy music and podcasts on the go.

In short, Spotify's wide range of content, user-friendly interface, personalized recommendations, social features, and affordable pricing have made it a popular choice for music and podcast lovers.

Nothing too fancy, but not bad.

— Explain what makes a great Spotify playlist.

A great Spotify playlist typically has a cohesive theme or mood, with a well-curated selection of songs that fit that theme or mood. The songs should flow together seamlessly and have a good balance of familiar and new tracks. It's also important for the playlist to be updated regularly to keep it fresh and engaging for listeners. Additionally, great playlists often feature lesser-known artists and songs to help listeners discover new music.

I’m not exactly working on anything that’s going to find its way into the Scientific American magazine, but still… I need to make sure the new AI machines are digesting all the Spotify information available.

The Spotify ‘Stream On’ event in Los Angeles is rapidly approaching, so I’m getting anxious thinking about what the Spotify executives have up their sleeves for new upgrades to the audio platform.

The TikTok-y tweaks noted nearby feels like a big deal, but we’ll have to wait and see for more specifics. Change can be tough (speaking for myself), so I’m hoping there’s not going to be any big updates. It took me long enough to adjust when they moved the home button.

Have a great day and a super weekend!!

★In the SPOTlight★

⭐️ As Dawn Ostroff Exits, Spotify Rethinks Rich Talent Deals

As the Sweden-based audio giant cuts staff and reorients its business toward better margins, insiders say leadership is less focused on non-IP-driven original content and more careful about expensive deals with high-wattage stars.

⭐️ Spotify Will Launch a TikTok-esque, Vertically Swiped Feed

Sources describe the update to me as similar to TikTok’s functionality in which, instead of selecting from a long list of carousels featuring static cover art, the interface allows listeners to swipe vertically through content recommendations that play automatically.

⭐️ Spotify in South Korea arrived two years ago – has it been a success?

As the K-Wave rolls on outside South Korea, Spotify says its just getting started in the region. How has Korean Spotify grown since the platform launched two years ago?

🗣 Podcast Action 🗣

• What we’ve learned from Spotify’s big bet on podcasts

• Spotify denies report Joe Rogan could bolt streaming service this year

• Immediate Media Partners With Spotify’s Megaphone To Bring Its Popular U.K. Podcasts to the World

• How a Spotify Storyteller Spends Her Sunday

🎧 The Playlist List 🎧

• What Happens When You Take Your Music Off Spotify?

• How Spotify’s 100 Best African Love Songs playlist was built

• Rihanna's Spotify streams spike 640% after Super Bowl halftime

• Introducing Artist Ballad Who Is Proving R&B Is Not Dead With His Viral Hit Single ‘Orange’

💡 Tips & Tricks 💡

• This Spotify Feature Reveals If You're Musically Compatible With Someone

🖌 Design Notes 🖌

• What Is The Spotify Popularity Index? Maximize Your Success By Understanding The Algorithm

• 2022 App of the Year 'BeReal' is adding Spotify integration | BGR

• DeepCuts AI uses natural-language questions to mine Spotify data

• Opinion: Spotify shuffle mode needs some urgent attention

💰 Spotify Stock 💰

• Spotify now has an activist shareholder with a history of pushing for price rises

• Spotify Stock Is Soaring This Year: Has the Company Finally Made a Turnaround?

🔥 Extra News 🔥

• Two Years Into Spotify’s Launch in South Korea, the K-Wave Is Here To Stay

• German Singer Leony Brings Empowering, High-Octane Musical Energy as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador of the Month

• Now Casting: Star in a Corporate Spotify Shoot

• Spotify Celebrates Black History Month With the Launch of Frequency Zine

• My Song Was Added To a Botted Playlist on Spotify: Here’s What Happened

• Belgian Artist Stromae Returns With New Music and Nominations

• Spotify and Cottonfest Celebrate South African Hip-Hop

• Henrie Kwushue Lands In Kingston For Part 3 Of Spotify ‘Who We Be’ Tour

• Spotify teams up with Egypt’s biggest gaming festival

🎵 New Adventures 🎵

All Mod Cons The Jam

Chance Big Country

Can You Stand The Rain New Edition

The Observatory The White Buffalo

Move On - 2017 Remaster David Bowie

We Got By Al Jarreau

Place In The Country Adam Ant

'Til I Fell in Love with You - 2022 Remix Bob Dylan

Remembering De La Soul’s Trugoy

Eye Know De La Soul, Otis Redding

The Magic Number De La Soul

📧 Get in touch 📧

If you have a question, idea, request, or simply a desire to chat about Spotify, please email me at jeff.spotifynewsletter@gmail.com.

😀 Have a Nice Weekend! 😀