Spotify Expands Song Credits, Introduces New Features for Deeper Listening Experience

Spotify is introducing three new features that fundamentally change the way listeners interact with the music they love. These innovations—an expanded Song Credits section, an interactive SongDNA tool, and a contextual About the Song card system—aim to provide a richer, more informative listening experience. The Song Credits feature, which previously spotlighted only main performers and producers, will now offer a comprehensive breakdown of every contributor, including sound engineers and mixers, giving a full account of the team behind a recording.

Initially launching on mobile devices with a desktop version expected soon, the enhanced Song Credits rely on data supplied by record labels and distributors. The singer-songwriter Charlie Puth—known for global smashes like "Attention" and "We Don't Talk Anymore"—publicly supported the update. In a promotional clip, Puth stated, "Countless skilled professionals help shape a song but often go unrecognized. I truly think this tool can help listeners feel more connected to the music they enjoy."

SongDNA provides a visual map of musical relationships, displaying collaborators, samples, and cover versions through an easy-to-use interface. This capability is enabled by WhoSampled, a premier music reference platform that Spotify acquired to strengthen its discovery tools. WhoSampled, founded in 2010, maintains one of the largest public databases of music samples, covers, and remixes. By incorporating its data, Spotify brings expert-level musicology directly to users, letting them explore the origins and influences of their favorite tracks.

Meanwhile, the About the Song feature presents background stories and context using swipeable cards in the "Now Playing" view, drawing on information from third-party partners. Jacqueline Ankner, Spotify’s head of songwriter and publishing partnerships, emphasized that "every song is a collaborative effort, and everyone involved deserves recognition. These new tools pull back the curtain on the creative process, offering fans a deeper understanding and giving creators the credit they’ve long deserved."

These launches come shortly after Spotify confirmed it will expand music video access to users in the United States and Canada, following a beta test available in nearly 100 other countries. Together, these updates highlight the platform’s strategic shift from being a straightforward streaming service to becoming a comprehensive multimedia destination. As one industry analyst noted, "Spotify is clearly aiming to become the definitive hub for music discovery and education, not just playback." This evolution not only entertains but also informs listeners about the extensive network of talent behind every piece of music.