Study reveals how Spotify algorithms affect listening and discovery

A new study that analyzed 25.3 billion Spotify streams provides a look at how the streamer’s algorithms work and how they are changing how music is listened to and discovered.

The free report from YourMusic.Marketing, which also divides Spotify listening by programmed (algorithmic and hand-curated) and active (user-driven) listening, is worth a deep dive, but here are some highlights:

Most listening is active, but programmed listening is on the rise.

The influence of algorithmic playlists grew 12% in the last twelve months.

A handful of algorithmic playlists have a significant impact.

Sign up to download the full free report here.

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.