Datafication and the push for ubiquitous listening in music streaming

Abstract

This article discusses Spotify’s approach to music recommendation as datafication of listening. It discusses the hybrid types of music recommendation that Spotify presents to users. The article explores how datafication is connected to Spotify’s push for the personalization and contextualization of music recommendations based on a combination of the cultural knowledge found in editorial curation and the potential for large-scale personalization found in algorithmic curation. The article draws on the concept of ubiquitous music and other understandings of the affective and functional aspects of music listening as an everyday practice to reflect upon how Spotify’s approach to datafication of listening potentially leads it to prioritize music recommendations that entice users to engage in inattentive and continuous listening. In extension to this, the article seeks to contribute with knowledge about how the datafication of listening potentially shapes listening practices and conceptions of relevance and quality in music recommendation.