Spotify & "Song Radio" is Essentially Just an Echo Chamber & Doesn't Breed Discovery

[cawul]

This hasn't always been the case, and I don't know if this has to do with the amount of time I've had my Spotify account or if something about the algorithm has drastically changed - but whenever I start a radio based off a song or artist (which is with the intention to find a NEW artist or NEW music that is related to the song/artist I'm starting the radio off of) it just creates essentially a playlist of music I've been listening to - and not even within the same genre off the song.

I've realized that I haven't found any new artists or any new music, and just continuously listen to the same things over and over again which is quite depressing. The point of the song radio or at least how I use it is to discover new artists that are in the same realm of the artist I'm listening to, and I think you all at Spotify are putting everyone - artist AND listener - at a huge detrimental disadvantage by having it go that way because then there is no discovery for new artists and there is no way for listeners to get into new music without scouring the platform instead of giving good recommendations based off your algorithm. More than anything I want to be able to discover new artists based off song radio, not just hear the same songs I've been listening to. If I wanted to listen to those songs, I would just continue to listen to them. Especially since maybe when I start a song radio off something that is midwest-emo/indie, it'll still play hyperpop/rap in the same playlist which are two completely different genre's and moods.

[Jcano]

It’s absolutely crazy that this had enough votes to be considered in 2021(!) and it is still an ongoing issue in 2024, THREE WHOLE YEARS LATER. When I go to the radio of a song, I want to listen to songs that are similar to the song I started a radio based on. Not just all the same songs I’ve been listening to, that are in no way similar to the song I started a radio based on! I can start a radio based on a rap song, and the next 3 songs are country. This used to be one of my favorite features and you guys have completely broken it. It is crazy to have so many dissatisfied PAYING users, and instead of address complaints that are THREE YEARS OLD, you guys instead put out new shitty “features” that no one asked for and that pisses off your paying users in a whole new way. I’m not sure if you think you won’t lose paid subscribers, but you are very wrong, and as someone who has had a paid subscription for 10 years, I am strongly considering canceling my account and switching to another music service if this continues, and I know I am not alone in that sentiment. How about you try listening to any one of the many suggestions you’ve already been given by your paying customers in this community alone, instead of trying to come up with new ways to alienate and kill your user base. 

[jjfenn9]

When I select an "artist radio" I want to hear all the songs that are similar to that specific artist. I don't want to see or hear songs that are similar to my liked or recommendations. I simply want similar songs.

EXAMPLE: OAR Radio shouldn't have Lone Bellow in my playlist. 

[Filthytea]

Song radio is no longer the feature it claims to be, instead of playing songs relating to the radio I choose, I am met with what is essentially my on repeat playlist but slightly worse.

If I want to find a song that is similar in taste to the current one I am listening to, then the song radio should reflect that. Keep my on repeat and song radio separate please.

[larkanaj]

Feel like radio playlists have become just a series of music that I am already listening to. Sometimes I am in the mood for that but other times I want to discover new music. I would really appreciate an option to raise or decrease how novel Spotify playlists are 

[Lfern65]

Today I wanted to listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan as well as other blues artists.  When I click to play "Stevie Ray Vaughan Artist Radio", I get mostly Classic Rock artists blended in, such as Van Halen, Tom Petty, Boston and others.  But when I punch in someone like Lonnie Mack or Albert Collins Artist Radio, not one song by SRV!  Come one folks.  Yes, SRV had commercial success on Rock Radio stations in his time, but he's a Blues guy.  I want to listen to SRV with other blues people tossed in, not SRV followed up by Bob Seger.  Completely different genres.  

[mrhestew]

I use daily mixes, artist radio, and the newer DJ function a lot yet I hear the same songs over and over again. I hear more variety on the radio! Since you’re raising prices significantly on the family plan, I’m going to need to hear more variety - more songs I haven’t heard - in my random playlists or I’m canceling our family plan in lieu of just listening to radio and going back to purchasing tracks or albums based on what we hear. It’d be cheaper.

[LadyPenelopeC]

So many people still commenting here and over 3000+ upvotes asking for action - yet since that initial acknowledgement in 2021 that the idea had reached a required number of votes, it seems there is no action. Spotify has gone from my favourite app to something that is too repetitive to be enjoyable. Surely users can be allowed the option to remove the intensely repetitive and dull personalization? I miss playlists and artist radios that aren't like a shuffle through my playing history!

[RyskiQN]

I can't believe this hasn't been fixed in 3 years. What an absolute joke!

When someone starts a radio they want to hear more songs like that song/artist, not just more of what they usually listen to - simple.

Not sure what you stand to gain from this stupidity - or is this all just a test to see how many people can both work out the algorithm is busted and also find this page to vote on?