Spotify is a great way to enjoy your favourite songs and discover new artists. You can use Spotify on loads of different devices, from computers to tablets and smartphones. The app itself is extremely user friendly, which is why it is so popular: Spotify reported over 615 million active users as of 2024.
There are more than 100 million songs on Spotify, so there is bound to be something for everybody. In fact, virtually every song you’ve ever enjoyed can be listened to with the tap of the finger or a click of the mouse. It is also one of the cheapest streaming platforms around at only £11.99 per month. However, if the cost of a subscription puts you off, you can also sign up for a free account (if you're willing to listen to ads between a few tracks). Most importantly, Spotify is useable on all smartphones, as opposed to Apple Music which is exclusive to Apple devices alone.
What Is Spotify?
Spotify is one of several streaming services making music cheap and accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Once upon a time, you needed to buy a physical or digital copy of every song you wanted to listen to. Thanks to these streaming services, you can instead access your music library whenever and wherever you choose. If you pay the monthly fee for a premium account, you can also download songs to your device for listening on the go, even when you don't have a solid internet connection.
Getting Started with Spotify
Once you’ve downloaded the app or visited the web player you will need to create an account. Simply enter your email address and create a password. Once complete, you will then be prompted to fill out a few other details. Have a look at our previous blog post which shares top tips on creating a strong password.
Using Spotify
Overall, Spotify is a relatively easy platform to use. It has a great search function making it easy to find and listen to your favourite tracks. Once you’ve found the artist or song you’d like to hear, either tap the name or click play. There are several other functions you can use, such as adding a song to queue, shuffle, or repeat. Spotify has a great help section for anyone who'd like a more in-depth breakdown of the platform's functions.
Discover New Music
Spotify is also one of the best ways to discover new music, alongside reconnecting with old favourites. It will then show you playlists or artists it thinks you’ll enjoy, along with creating you a Discover Weekly playlist. Updating every Monday, the Discover Weekly playlist has a variety of songs it thinks you’ll enjoy, helping you uncover new music on a weekly basis.
Podcasts on Spotify
Aside from music, Spotify is also home to a wealth of podcasts. For those who don't know, a podcast is a format similar to a radio show; but unlike radio, podcasts tend to be pre-recorded and therefore available at all times. With a premium account, podcasts are downloadable so you can listen anywhere, anytime. Spotify has an extremely large library of podcasts of different genres. Furthermore, most come with a synopsis to give the listener a taste of the content before they dive in. Podcasts are often high-quality productions because they are relatively cheap to make. The best part is that the more you listen, the more suggestions Spotify is able to offer based on your likes and dislikes.
Building Your Spotify Music Library
The days of praying that the radio will play your favourite songs are over! Your Spotify account can pick up on your tastes, so you're able to curate your own collection of music. You can create different playlists for different moods or occasions. Furthermore, the Spotify app can be set up on a smart TV, computer, phone, tablet, or artificial intelligence device (like Amazon Alexa, for example). This could be a useful feature for the elderly, as it gives them one recognisable app across several devices.
Spotify Radio
Spotify has the ability to automatically analyse songs and group them together with other similar music. It uses a feature called 'Spotify Radio' to collect the songs together and you can access this from pretty much anywhere. If you hear a song, album or artist you like: press the 3 small dots usually to the top right-hand side of the screen and select the 'Go to [Song/Album/Artist] Radio'. If you find songs you like, you just need to add them to a particular playlist or 'like' them by pressing the heart button. This will save your music to your account and will allow you to listen offline if you want to.
Connecting Through Music
Once you’ve created your profile you can start finding friends and family who also have a Spotify account, allowing you to view their public playlists and see what music they’ve been enjoying. Your loved ones can follow you back as your profile is easily shared via social media or email, making sharing the joy of music even easier. Families and friends can also create shared playlists, guaranteeing at the next gathering there’s a song or three for everyone to enjoy.
Sharing Music and Podcasts
On the subject of connecting with friends and family, Spotify allows you to share songs and podcasts you like on a variety of different platforms. You can do this using the 3 dots on any track, album, or podcast and send it via a message or post them to your social media. Spotify has a full list of its features and how to use them on their website.
The Careline Alarm
Spotify is the perfect platform to have millions of songs at your fingertips. For that reason, it is an ideal service for those who struggle with their mobility and may not be able to change records or CDs very easily.
While you're thinking about useful new technology, you should also consider a Careline alarm. Our life-saving device is able to offer protection and support 365 days a year for those who need it most. Whenever an alarm user raises a call for help, our team work fast and effectively to assist them. If you have any questions, please call our Team on 0800 030 8777.
