Spotify Launches In-App Messaging Feature in Kenya to Enhance Music Sharing

Spotify has introduced a new feature called “Messages” to its listeners in Kenya, allowing users to chat, share, and discuss songs and podcasts directly within the app. The update, available to both Free and Premium subscribers, aims to make music sharing more social and seamless.

The company revealed that Kenyans already share Spotify content millions of times each month, and the new feature is designed to simplify that experience. With Messages, users can now send tracks, playlists, and podcasts through private one-on-one conversations inside the Spotify app.

To use the feature, listeners can tap the “Share” icon from the “Now Playing” screen and select a friend to start a conversation. The Messages inbox is accessible by tapping the profile photo in the top-left corner. Spotify will automatically suggest contacts based on previous interactions, such as joint playlists, Blends, Jams, or shared plans like Duo and Family.

For artists and podcasters, Spotify said Messages will make it easier for fans to share and recommend content, potentially driving discovery and increasing engagement. “In Kenya, recommendations are social currency,” said Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. “Messages brings that local energy into Spotify so the right track, pod, or chapter gets to the right person faster.”

Spotify has emphasized user safety in the new feature. Listeners can accept or ignore message requests, block unwanted users, and report inappropriate content. All conversations are encrypted both in transit and at rest, and Spotify uses automated systems and human moderators to detect and handle harmful behavior.

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The company clarified that Messages is designed to complement, not replace, existing sharing habits on apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok. Instead, it brings social interaction directly into the listening experience.

This rollout marks the beginning of a broader launch across Africa. Spotify plans to expand and refine the feature in the coming months, incorporating user feedback and adapting to local markets.

The new Messages feature represents Spotify’s growing commitment to fostering community-driven music experiences in Kenya, one of its fastest-growing African markets.