Spotify hands users control over its recommendation algorithm with US launch of ‘Taste Profile’
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What Taste Profile is and why it matters
Spotify began rolling out its AI‑powered “Taste Profile” feature to Premium subscribers in the United States on Wednesday, giving listeners a first‑of‑its‑kind view of how the platform interprets their musical and audio preferences. The tool, announced in March at the SXSW conference in Austin by co‑CEO Gustav Söderström, had previously been tested only in New Zealand. By opening this window into its recommendation engine, Spotify lets users tweak suggestions for playlists such as Discover Weekly, Made for You, and the annual Spotify Wrapped review.
How the feature reshapes recommendations
Until now, Spotify’s algorithm often served up music that was too similar to what a user already liked, leaving little room for exploration. Taste Profile lets users ask for more variety or request a higher or lower dose of a particular genre, artist, or overall vibe using natural‑language commands. It also enables users to suppress suggestions based on content they stream regularly but don’t want to see more of, such as nighttime sleep sounds or a teenager’s playlist on a parent’s account.
- Request broader or narrower genre exposure
- Adjust the energy level of recommended tracks
- Influence podcast and audiobook suggestions
- Remove unwanted recommendations without deleting entire playlists
Accessing and using Taste Profile
To open the feature on the mobile app, tap your profile picture, scroll down, and select “Taste Profile.” The screen displays how Spotify currently categorizes your taste across music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Below the “Tell us more” prompt, type any adjustments you’d like to make and submit the message. Within a few hours, the Home feed will refresh with a new set of recommendations reflecting your input.
The feature remains in beta and is being tested among listeners aged 18 and up in Spotify’s largest market by traffic and revenue. The company has not provided a timeline for a broader rollout.
