March 15, 2026 — Spotify is launching a new beta feature that for the first time gives listeners direct control over their Taste Profile, the algorithmic model that drives the streaming service’s music recommendations. The announcement was made by Spotify co-CEO Gustav Söderström at the SXSW conference.
Direct Control Over Personalization
The feature allows Premium subscribers to review and edit their Taste Profile within the Spotify app. This profile is the foundation for personalized playlists like Discover Weekly, Made For You mixes, and the annual Spotify Wrapped review. Users will see all their listening data for music, podcasts, and audiobooks consolidated in one place.
Changes can be made using natural language prompts. Listeners can fine-tune future suggestions by requesting more or less of a specific vibe or genre. The app’s home page will then refresh to reflect these adjusted preferences.
Addressing Longstanding User Complaints
Spotify’s previous tools for managing recommendations were limited to excluding individual tracks or playlists. The Taste Profile itself remained largely hidden and uneditable. This led to frequent user complaints that recommendations did not align with their actual music interests.
Shared account usage has been a primary source of profile clutter. Family members accessing an account through a shared smart speaker or CarPlay can skew the algorithm. Similarly, listening to sleep sounds, children’s music, or other content not reflective of personal taste has historically polluted recommendation engines.
“Users don’t always remember which tracks need removal, nor do they have time to manage it retroactively,” industry analysts note. This clutter has significantly impacted the annual Wrapped experience for many, particularly parents whose children use their accounts.
How the New Feature Works
To access the Taste Profile, users tap their profile picture in the app and scroll down. The new interface provides a comprehensive view of the data Spotify uses to model their preferences.
The ability to edit this data directly represents a shift toward transparent and user-controllable algorithms. Spotify had previously offered some corrective tools, but they were not as comprehensive as the new system.
For years, Spotify users have requested a solution to the recommendation problem. The company states the feature will roll out in the coming weeks, starting with Premium listeners in New Zealand before expanding to other markets.
The Broader Context of Algorithmic Transparency
This move aligns with a broader industry trend toward giving users more insight and control over the algorithms that shape their digital experiences. Streaming services increasingly compete on the quality and personalization of their recommendations.
By allowing manual adjustments, Spotify aims to improve user satisfaction and engagement. Accurate recommendations are crucial for listener retention in a competitive market. More details about the feature’s global rollout are expected in the coming months.
Spotify’s official announcement and support pages provide the primary source for this feature’s details. For information on data privacy practices related to personalization, users can consult Spotify’s privacy policy.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
