Spotify is introducing a new Messages feature that allows users to view what their friends are currently streaming in real time and request to initiate Jams, the platform's collaborative listening feature, the company announced Wednesday. This move aims to enhance the app's social capabilities and retain users within the Spotify ecosystem, preventing them from switching to other platforms to share music.

To enable the feature, users must navigate to the Settings menu and activate the "listening activity" option within the Privacy Social section. Once enabled, a user's listening activity will appear at the top of their Messages chats. Tapping on a friend's listening activity allows users to play the track, save it, open the menu, or react with an emoji.

Premium users can initiate a Jam by selecting the "Jam" option located in the top right corner of the app, sending a request to their friends. Upon acceptance, the recipient becomes the Jam host, and both users gain the ability to add tracks to a shared queue and listen to music together.

The introduction of these features reflects Spotify's ongoing strategy to integrate social elements into its core music streaming service. By facilitating real-time sharing and collaborative listening, Spotify aims to foster a more engaging and interactive user experience, potentially increasing user retention and attracting new subscribers. The company faces increasing competition from other streaming services and social media platforms that also offer music sharing capabilities.

Listening Activity and Request to Jam will be rolled out to both iOS and Android apps in markets where Messages is currently available. Spotify anticipates broad availability in these markets by early February. The Listening Activity feature will be accessible to all users with access to Messages, while the Jam feature remains exclusive to Premium subscribers.