Spotify is reportedly experimenting with a new feature that allows users to leave audio reactions about playlists; these audio comments then become available to listen to like mini-podcasts.

Rumours regarding a new way to engage with and react to content on Spotify first started circulating on Reddit. Some users based in Vietnam recently received on their music streaming app an invitation to leave a voice comment on a playlist. The app then invites users to record their message and even edit it by adding music or cutting out certain passages, before publishing it as a mini podcast that later appears on the user's profile.

These audio reactions boost Spotify's offering, allowing for certain playlists to be enhanced in this way. In any case, the audio reactions will need to be moderated, as any hateful messages or instances of harassment will have to be removed from the platform.

It's an original method that opens up the possibility for everyone to record their own mini opinion podcasts and leave their impressions on their favorite playlists. For the moment, this is only a test, and there's no indication Spotify plans to definitively roll it out on a large scale. But the concept could inspire others.

At the moment, most of the major social networks are indeed trying to boost their audio features. Twitter, LinkedIn and Reddit, to name but a few, already offer features that allow users to chat by voice. For instance, Twitter has designed its Spaces as real chat rooms that can bring together hundreds or even thousands of participants.

Another example, in the professional world, is Slack, which also allows voice messages to be exchanged as well as the possibility of creating (ephemeral) audio communication channels for several people, in addition to recently introducing an option for an audio name pronunciation guide.

However, the idea of posting comments and turning them into real podcasts to be listened to and shared, via a tool directly integrated into the app, is unprecedented. It remains to be seen if it catches on.

 - AFP Relaxnews