### Spotify’s Discover Weekly: A Decade of Music Exploration and Enhanced Genre Controls
Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlist has become essential for music enthusiasts since its inception ten years ago. Crafted to expose listeners to fresh artists and tracks suited to their preferences, it highlights up-and-coming musicians, serving as a valuable resource for both fans and artists. With more than 100 billion tracks identified through this feature, 77% of which come from less mainstream artists, Discover Weekly has established itself as a powerful venue for music exploration.
#### How Discover Weekly Functions
The algorithm powering Discover Weekly assesses users’ listening patterns, concentrating on their preferred artists and tracks. By juxtaposing these choices with those of other Spotify users, the algorithm assembles a customized playlist that incorporates tracks from artists that the listener might not have discovered otherwise. This strategy not only assists listeners in uncovering new music but also aids emerging artists in connecting with potential fans.
#### Responding to Evolving Preferences
A drawback of the Discover Weekly playlist has been its dependence on historical listening behavior, which may result in suggestions that do not match a user’s shifting musical inclinations. For example, a listener who mainly enjoys indie rock but is starting to explore hip-hop might find the suggestions less pertinent.
To remedy this concern, Spotify has rolled out new options for premium subscribers, empowering them to steer the trajectory of their Discover Weekly playlist. Users can now apply genre filters to direct the algorithm toward specific music styles they are interested in at the moment. This functionality allows listeners to modify their music exploration experience as their preferences evolve.
#### Accessing the New Options
To take advantage of the revamped Discover Weekly playlist, Spotify Premium subscribers need to go to the “Made for You” section within the app. By selecting their Discover Weekly playlist, they will discover the new genre controls at the top, provided they have the latest version of the app installed. This improvement is currently being implemented, so users may need to update their app to access the new features.
#### Conclusion
Spotify’s Discover Weekly has transformed how listeners find music over the last decade. With the rollout of genre controls for premium subscribers, the platform is making a notable stride in personalizing the music exploration process even more. This advancement not only enhances the user experience but also continues to aid emerging artists in reaching new audiences.
