Social media and music go hand-in-hand, but until today, Spotify and Facebook didn’t. However, the two firms have now teamed up for a new miniplayer experience driven by discovery.
“Discovery that allows listeners to enjoy audio from Spotify directly within Facebook, without switching between apps,” according to a Spotify announcement.
Spotify Premium members in select markets can now listen to songs and podcasts inside the iOS and Android Facebook app. Spotify Free users can also tap into the new feature via shuffle mode (with accompanying ads from Spotify, of course).
Simply click the “Play” button on the tune or episode you, your friend, or your favorite creator shared from Spotify to their Facebook News Feed. (First-time users will see a consent dialog box; click “Connect” to continue.) Assuming you’re logged into Spotify, the app will automatically switch and playback will begin from the Spotify service. Then sit back, relax, and listen to something new while continuing to scroll through cat photos and COVID-19 articles on Facebook.
“Beyond Spotify shares to Facebook News Feed, fans will also have the ability to play songs via the miniplayer through selected verified artists’ posts, or even from user-uploaded videos on Facebook that contain licensed music,” the team explained. “Your reach just got even greater.”
Integration is rolling out first in Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, Uruguay, and the US. The experience will reach more markets “over the coming months.”
“Over the past year, we’ve seen how social media continues to be an incredibly important way to connect with friends and loved ones—especially when gathering in person is more challenging,” the Spotify blog said. “Audio continues to be something that brings people together.”
Facebook, meanwhile, is building its own set of audio features. The social network last week announced upcoming tools and formats “that connect people with the things they care about.” That includes short-form clips Soundbites, in-app podcasts, and Clubhouse-esque Live Audio Rooms.
