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Spotify tests new 'Stories' feature that lets influencers incorporate videos into public playlists


Spotify tests new ‘Stories’ feature that lets influencers incorporate videos into curated public playlists

  • Stories are being tested by select influencers on the streaming service
  • The videos inject playlists with videos that can be clicked thru Story-style
  • It will be used to help promote Spotify and engage followers 
  • Spotify is looking for other influencers to help test the Stories 

Spotify is enlisting influencers to help it curate public playlists.

In a new test, Spotfiy is starting to test a ‘Stories’ feature in which a select number influencers are intertwining video and music, according to a report from TechCrunch.

Specifically, the feature imbues playlists with short videos that users can optionally click on and watch more. Users can tap through similar to story features in other platforms like Instagram or Snapchat

Spotify will let influencers load up public playlists with stories (pictured)  that can be clicked thru similarly to Instagram or Snapchat

Spotify will let influencers load up public playlists with stories (pictured)  that can be clicked thru similarly to Instagram or Snapchat

YouTube star Summer McKeen (pictured) was spotted testing the feature on Spotify and is among the first to help pioneer the new tool

YouTube star Summer McKeen (pictured) was spotted testing the feature on Spotify and is among the first to help pioneer the new tool

To activate a story, users can tap an animated icon fixed at the top of the playlist which launches the videos.

Curators are also able to preview songs that will be included in the playlist including video clips that contain small snippets of songs and are accompanied by album art.  

The outlet reports that the first influencer to use the feature is a YouTube creator, Summer Mckeen, who has 2.1 million Instagram followers and produces videos on makeup and fashion.

While the feature is currently just a test, Spotify will likely use Stories to help draw more users to its platform.

By using the cross-promotional power of YouTube stars and other social media personalities, the feature may help solidify its service over competitors while also giving creators more ways to reach their fans.

McKeen was seen promoting the playlist to her followers across other platforms, including millions of people on Instagram.  

Users can click thru the stories much like they would a story on Instagram. Curators can also highlight certain songs using snippets

Users can click thru the stories much like they would a story on Instagram. Curators can also highlight certain songs using snippets

TechCrunch reports that Spotify is already looking to other influencers in the lifestyle and entertainment sphere.

For now the feature seems to be more of a tool for music discovery than paid endorsements according to TechCrunch. 

It’s unclear when or if Stories will see broader implementation and currently the feature is only viewable on iOS and Android, but not desktop. 

‘At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests in an effort to improve our user experience. Some of those tests end up paving the path for our broader user experience and others serve only as an important learning,”’ a Spotify spokesperson told TechCrunch. 

‘We have no further news to share on future plans at this time.’



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