Spotify’s new “Smart Filter” allows you to screen library content by activity, genre, or mood

Spotify offers users a way to personalize what they hear. The company is launching new features that allow users to filter their libraries by specific activity, mood, or genre. These filters can also be used to find playlists, find some audiobooks and podcasts, or start a new session with Spotify’s AI DJ.

Smart filters, which began rolling out on Friday, will first be available to premium subscribers of mobile devices and tablets in select markets, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. Spotify estimates that the rollout will be completed in the coming weeks.

This feature has come as it has focused on adding personalization tools and features to apps over the last few months. These types of tools, although seemingly small additions, help differentiate Spotify further from its competitors, making it difficult for existing users to leave.

For example, in April, Spotify began offering tools to create personalized playlists using AI prompts. In May, we added a new playlist management tool and a way to create your own custom cover art. You can also consult with an AI DJ to personalize your music choices and take advantage of an improved version of Spotify’s flagship personalized playlist.

Despite these changes, some users have noticed that Spotify’s interface is too crowded as the company flows into the realm of social networking, especially by adding comments about messages, podcasts, polls and Q&As that feel like Tiktok or YouTube, particularly following the introduction of music videos and video podcasts within the app.

The company often faces complaints about its overly busy user interface, and with the continuous addition of new features, some users feel irritated and overwhelmed. That, coupled with the company’s focus on algorithmic proposals, prompted some users to abandon Spotify altogether.

However, Spotify continues to report more users and subscribers. Its user base grew from 11% to 696 million people in the previous quarter, with subscribers reaching 276 million, up 12%.