Spotify borrows from TikTok’s formula with new interface redesign
Many tech giants are trying to replicate the success of TikTok’s vertical video interface. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Netflix have all introduced their own version of the endlessly scrolling vertical feed. Now, Spotify is taking inspiration from TikTok’s formula and redesigning its mobile app interface.
The app’s Home section will feature a vertically scrolling feed that allows users to flip through, save, and share music. The autoplaying content provides a quick preview of songs and playlists without having to fully dive in. The visual and audio previews are found in the Music, Podcasts, and Audiobooks tabs, along with album covers.
Spotify also adds autoplaying clips from music videos and previews of popular artists. Podcast listeners can discover similar content without interruption, thanks to a new feature that automatically plays another episode.
Users can scroll through a full-screen grid with eight personalized shortcuts to see Instagram-like cards of videos that provide information about recommended playlists. Smart Shuffles, a rebranded “Enhanced” feature introduced in 2021, intersperses user-generated playlists with song suggestions that “perfectly match the vibe.”
In the Search section, users can scroll through Canvas clips organized by genre, and there’s an option to save a song to a playlist, share it with friends, or follow the artist. Curated playlists such as Discover Weekly, Release Radar, New Music Friday, and Rap Caviar also feature visual previews.
Although Spotify’s new design borrows heavily from TikTok’s formula, it’s not a full-on clone. Unlike TikTok, users can’t comment on songs, as Spotify is not a social media platform. However, with the formula’s proven success for content discovery, it’s likely we’ll see more venues attempting to emulate TikTok in the future.
