Spotify Enhances Discover Weekly with AI-Driven Genre Personalization
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Spotify will let users personalize the genre of Discover Weekly playlists
Mia Sato is features writer with five years of experience covering the companies that shape technology and the people who use their tools. Spotify is adding new personalization features to Discover Weekly, the popular and influential playlist streamed by millions of users. The regularly updated playlist will now have buttons for genres like pop, R&B, and funk at the top, allowing users to tell Spotify what they want more of. The Discover Weekly playlist is one of the more noteworthy things Spotify has introduced: the company says songs on the playlist have been streamed more than 100 billion times. The weekly mixtape -- generated via Spotify algorithms -- promised to introduce users to new music that they might enjoy, pulling from listener data. But more recently, there have been complaints that Discover Weekly playlists, meant for finding new music, were spitting out the same songs, and that the platform's systems weren't accurately classifying genres. (Spotify told Business Insider in May that it had updated genre accuracy and the Discover Weekly recommendation algorithm.) In addition to the genre options, the Discover Weekly playlist is getting a refreshed look with different cover art. Spotify reshaped how people listen to music, prioritizing the playlist over the album or even the artist themselves: playlists became a battleground for labels and artists who wanted exposure. In the last few years, the music platform has taken personalization even further, tailoring selections to the individual user. The company has introduced features like an AI-powered "DJ," an AI text-to-playlist builder tool, and even a fake AI podcast with fake AI hosts that discuss users' listening habits. The ability to more closely guide the Discover Weekly offerings signals that hyper-personalization remains a priority -- and perhaps that Spotify is aware of some of the user dissatisfaction.
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You can now pick a genre on Spotify's Discover Weekly
Spotify announced new personalization features for its Discover Weekly playlist. The update will introduce genre buttons, such as pop, R&B, and funk, at the top of the playlist to allow users to customize their listening experience. Discover Weekly, generated by Spotify algorithms, has streamed songs over 100 billion times. The playlist is designed to introduce users to new music based on their listening data. Video: Spotify Recent user complaints have cited the repetition of songs and inaccurate genre classifications within Discover Weekly. Spotify addressed genre accuracy and the recommendation algorithm in May 2025. The Discover Weekly playlist will also feature refreshed cover art. Spotify is still building its HiFi promise Spotify has expanded personalization through features like an AI-powered "DJ," an AI text-to-playlist builder tool, and an AI podcast discussing individual listening habits. The addition of genre options to Discover Weekly indicates an ongoing focus on hyper-personalization.
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Spotify introduces new personalization features to its popular Discover Weekly playlist, allowing users to select specific genres and addressing recent complaints about song repetition and genre misclassification.
Spotify's Discover Weekly Gets a Personalized Upgrade
Spotify, the leading music streaming platform, has announced a significant update to its popular Discover Weekly playlist. The new feature introduces genre buttons at the top of the playlist, allowing users to fine-tune their music discovery experience
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. This move comes as part of Spotify's ongoing efforts to enhance personalization and address recent user complaints.
Source: The Verge
The Power of Discover Weekly
Discover Weekly has been a cornerstone of Spotify's recommendation system since its introduction. The playlist, which is generated by Spotify's algorithms, has seen tremendous success:
- Songs on the playlist have been streamed over 100 billion times
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- It promises to introduce users to new music based on their listening data
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- The playlist has reshaped how people discover and consume music, prioritizing playlists over albums or individual artists
Addressing User Concerns
Despite its popularity, Discover Weekly has faced some criticism recently:
- Users complained about repetitive song recommendations
- There were issues with inaccurate genre classifications
- Some felt that the platform's systems weren't accurately categorizing music
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In response, Spotify updated its genre accuracy and Discover Weekly recommendation algorithm in May 2025
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.The New Personalization Features
The latest update brings several enhancements to Discover Weekly:
- Genre buttons: Users can now select genres like pop, R&B, and funk at the top of the playlist
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- Refreshed look: The playlist now features different cover art
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- Improved algorithm: The underlying recommendation system has been updated to provide more accurate suggestions
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Spotify's AI-Driven Personalization Strategy
This update is part of Spotify's broader strategy to leverage AI for hyper-personalization. Other recent AI-powered features include:
- An AI "DJ" that curates and introduces music
- A text-to-playlist builder tool
- An AI-generated podcast that discusses users' listening habits
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These innovations demonstrate Spotify's commitment to tailoring the listening experience to individual users and maintaining its position as a leader in music streaming technology.
Industry Implications
Spotify's focus on personalization has had significant impacts on the music industry:
- Playlists have become a battleground for labels and artists seeking exposure
- The emphasis on algorithmic recommendations has changed how music is marketed and consumed
- The platform's ability to influence listening habits has made it a powerful force in shaping music trends
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As Spotify continues to refine its AI-driven personalization features, it's likely to further reshape the landscape of music discovery and consumption in the digital age.
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