Spotify is rolling out a feature called User Notes that lets listeners attach personal captions to individual songs, the company announced Thursday. The tool aims to transform playlists from simple collections of tracks into spaces for preserving memories tied to specific music. Main Developments Users aged 16 and older on both free and premium plans in select markets can now add notes to any song within a playlist they created or one that contains tracks they’ve added. To access the feature, they tap the three-dot menu next to a track, select Add note, type their message, and save it. Each note becomes visible to anyone who can see the playlist, with the user’s name linking back to their profile. The company described the tool in an email to TechCrunch as a way for listeners to preserve memories such as discovering a track while walking the streets of Paris or hearing it during a first date. Read also: Okta Acquires Permiso for ~$200M to Bolster AI Identity Security Spotify also debuted Running Mode on Thursday, a separate feature for premium subscribers in select countries that queues up songs based on different phases of a run and tailors selections to a user’s pace and preferences. Background The launch comes as Spotify continues to differentiate itself from competitors like Apple Music and YouTube Music, which lack a journaling-like feature tied to individual tracks. User Notes represents an extension of the company’s broader push to make playlists feel more personal and emotionally resonant. Over time, the company said, these accumulated notes paint a picture of the music listeners love and the moments that shaped it. The feature blends personalization with added context, turning playlists into what Spotify calls a more personal space for music discovery. Why It Matters User Notes gives Spotify a unique social and emotional hook that goes beyond algorithmic recommendations. By allowing users to attach memories directly to songs, the feature could deepen listener engagement and loyalty, especially among younger audiences who value personalized, shareable experiences. The move also pressures rivals to develop similar capabilities or risk losing users who want their music platforms to double as digital scrapbooks. For Spotify, which faces intense competition in streaming, features that foster emotional attachment can reduce churn and increase time spent on the app. What's Next Spotify has not announced a timeline for expanding User Notes beyond the initial select markets or for rolling out Running Mode more broadly. The company may refine the feature based on user feedback before considering a wider release. Questions remain about how moderation will work for user-generated notes, especially given the minimum age requirement of 16. Spotify has not detailed specific content policies for the feature, but similar tools on other platforms often rely on automated filters and user reporting.