Spotify has introduced a new feature called Prompted Playlist, designed to give users more control over what they listen to and how the app recommends music. This feature is currently in beta and is available only in New Zealand in English, but it is expected to expand to more countries in the future.
Prompted Playlist works by letting listeners describe exactly what kind of music they want. Instead of waiting for Spotify’s algorithm to guess your mood or preference, you can now tell it directly. The feature uses your full listening history and combines it with artificial intelligence to create a playlist that matches your instructions. You can also edit your prompt or start over whenever you want.
For example, you can type a request like “music from my top artists from the last five years,” and Spotify will instantly build a playlist based on that. If you want it more specific, you can add details such as “include deep cuts I haven’t heard yet” or “add songs from this year’s biggest movies and shows that fit my taste.” This makes the playlist highly personalised and flexible.
Spotify will also show preset prompts on your Home page. These prompts use English-language algorithms and appear as personalised playlists based on your listening habits. This means you can either create your own playlist from scratch or tap on a ready-made suggestion that already matches your style.
The company says this new tool is an improved version of the AI playlist feature launched in 2024. The major update here is that Prompted Playlist can understand longer and more detailed instructions. It even uses “world knowledge,” which helps it pick songs related to trends, popular new releases, and cultural moments.
Another important benefit is that these playlists refresh automatically. They update based on your recent listening patterns and the latest music trends. You can also choose how often the playlist should refresh — daily, weekly, or periodically. This keeps your music experience fresh without needing to remake playlists again and again.
Spotify will also include a short explanation for each recommended track, telling you why it was chosen. This gives users a clearer idea of how the algorithm works. The feature is still being tested, but once improved, it is expected to reach more markets worldwide.
