Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) is currently testing a new video feed that it similar to ByteDance's TikTok, according to TechCrunch, as the music streaming platfrom looks to compete with the highly popular social media app.
As soon as the new feature is rolled out to general Spotify users beyond testing, the video feed will be found beneath a navigation bar known as "Discover." From there, musical tracks can be "liked" while browsing through the feed. In addition, there is a menu that is able to offer choices for each song.
Although Spotify has affirmed the test when speaking with TechCrunch, it refused to reveal the exact dates that it plans to expand its program to general users.
"At Spotify, we routinely conduct a number of tests in an effort to improve our user experience," a spokesperson told TechCrunch regarding the matter. "Some of those tests end up paving the way for our broader user experience and others serve only as an important learning. We don't have any further news to share at this time."
This new addition to Spotify was first recognized by American actor Chris Messina, who made a tweet regarding the video of the Discover feature at work. Messina detailed it as a "pared-down version" of a style that is similar to TikTok's feed of music videos. Messina reported that he had discovered the feature via Spotify's TestFlight build, which is where an icon in the navigation toolbar instantly takes users to the video feed when clicked on. It is then possible to browse through the feed, similar to how it is done on TikTok. Tapping songs in order to "like" them will be accessible, as well as the ability to bring up standard song data onto the screen, according to him.
Spotify, with its latest addition of a video feed that will be similar to that of TikTok, will surely allure new users to its platform in ways that it had not before.