Use Listening Volume as a Feedback Signal for Better Recommendations

[Bakalov69]

Spotify already uses implicit feedback such as skipping, repeating, or adding tracks to playlists to understand what we like.
I’d like to suggest an additional signal: listening volume changes.

• When users turn the volume up during a track (especially in the first seconds or around the chorus), it often means they really enjoy it.

• When they turn the volume down, it may indicate less interest.

• Time spent listening above the normal baseline volume can also be a positive signal.

Why this matters:

• It adds an emotional dimension to recommendations — people naturally play favorite songs louder.

• It works even when users don’t explicitly click “Like.”

• Combined with existing feedback (skips, repeats, likes), it could make personalized playlists feel even more accurate.

Privacy note: this could be implemented using relative volume (changes from the user’s usual level), not absolute device data.

I believe this small addition could make Spotify’s recommendations even more magical.

M.Bakalov
**bleep**