Spotify introduces AI powered prompted playlists for premium users in North America

Published: 22 Jan 2026

Spotify has unveiled a new artificial intelligence based music feature called Prompted Playlist for premium subscribers in the United States and Canada. The feature allows listeners to actively guide playlist creation using written prompts and personal preferences.

The rollout follows a successful trial in New Zealand and marks another step in Spotify’s broader push toward personalized listening experiences driven by artificial intelligence.

According to the company, the new tool is designed to give users more control over how music recommendations are shaped, moving beyond passive algorithm-based suggestions.

Key highlights of the new feature include

Users can create playlists by typing instructions based on mood, activity, or genre
Playlists adapt using listening history combined with real-time user input
Custom rules can be set to define what type of music is included
Playlists can refresh automatically on a daily or weekly basis

Spotify executives said listeners increasingly want to participate in shaping their music experience rather than relying entirely on automated recommendations. The feature positions users as collaborators who guide the algorithm using their own intentions.

The launch also comes as Spotify continues to encourage free users to switch to paid plans. Earlier this month, the company announced a price increase for its premium subscription in several markets, including the United States, where the monthly fee will rise to 12.99 dollars starting in February.

Spotify has been steadily adding AI-based tools across its platform as competition intensifies among music streaming services. The company believes deeper personalization will help strengthen user engagement and justify subscription costs.

Sources:
Reuters