Spotify Playlist Notes Add Stories to Songs, Podcasts and Audiobooks
Spotify launches Playlist Notes, letting users annotate songs, podcasts and audiobooks while editor profiles arrive in six markets for listeners 16 and older.
Summary
Spotify announced Playlist Notes on Monday, August 17, 2026, extending User Notes, introduced last month for individual tracks. In Spotify’s iOS and Android apps, listeners can annotate songs, podcast episodes, and audiobooks within playlists they own or collaborate on by opening the item menu, selecting “add note,” and saving. Every playlist viewer can read the notes. User notes are rolling out in more than 100 markets.
Spotify editors can now explain selections on some major editorial playlists, initially Today’s Top Hits, RapCaviar, Hot Country, All New Pop, and Fresh Finds Hip-Hop. New Editor Profiles display each editor’s top tracks, albums, and playlists. Editor notes and profiles are reaching free and Premium users aged 16 or older in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The modest social and personalization feature differentiates Spotify from Apple Music and YouTube Music after Spotify reported more than 300 million subscribers and 777 million monthly active users in its latest Q2 results.
Positives
- Playlist Notes add personal context to songs, podcast episodes, and audiobooks within user playlists.
- More than 100 markets are receiving user notes through Spotify’s iOS and Android apps.
- Today’s Top Hits, RapCaviar, Hot Country, All New Pop, and Fresh Finds Hip-Hop will feature explanations from Spotify editors.
- Editor Profiles reveal curators’ top tracks, albums, and playlist assignments.
- Spotify surpassed 300 million subscribers and reached 777 million monthly active users in its latest Q2 results.
Risks & concerns
- User notes work only in the mobile app and within playlists the listener owns or collaborates on.
- Editor notes and profiles initially exclude users under 16 and countries beyond the six announced markets.
- Spotify is initially adding editor explanations to only some of its major editorial playlists.
- Anyone able to view a playlist can also read its notes, limiting their privacy.