Are Playlists Public on Spotify?

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Written By Dinu Sri

Dr H. T. D. S. Madusanka is an electronic expert with 10 years of experience, involved in the research and development of SMART HOME systems.

Playlists on Spotify can be either public or private. Public playlists are visible and accessible to all Spotify users, while private playlists are only viewable by the creator. Making a playlist public on Spotify involves toggling the privacy setting through desktop or mobile app options to share it broadly. Public playlists allow users to engage with music enthusiasts worldwide, aid music discovery, and build an identity through musical curation. However, keeping playlists private serves personal enjoyment or development purposes before wider release. Overall, creating public Spotify playlists requires thoughtful titling, cover art, and regular content updates to generate a following and community around shared musical tastes.

What are public playlists on Spotify?

Public playlists on Spotify are collections of tracks that users create and share with others. Unlike private playlists, public playlists are visible to all Spotify users. They can be searched for, accessed, and followed by anyone using the platform. Public playlists serve as a medium for users to share their music tastes, discover new tracks, and connect with others who have similar music interests. Creating a public playlist on Spotify is straightforward. When you create a new playlist, it’s set to public by default, which means it’s accessible to all Spotify users. If you decide to make a playlist private, it becomes inaccessible to others, even if they have a link to the playlist or search for it by name​​.

Comparison of public and private playlists on Spotify

How to make a playlist public on Spotify?

Making a playlist public on Spotify is a simple process:

  1. Via Desktop:
    • Log into your Spotify account.
    • Navigate to the “My Music” section and click on the “Playlists” tab.
    • Click the playlist you want to make public.
    • At the top right corner of the page, click the three dots (…) to access more options.
    • Select “Make Public” from the dropdown menu​.
  2. Via Mobile App:
    • Log into your Spotify account on the mobile app.
    • Select the playlist you want to make public.
    • Tap the three horizontal dots at the top right corner to access more options.
    • Choose “Make Public” from the menu​.
  3. Creating a New Public Playlist:
    • Log into your Spotify account.
    • Click on “New Playlist.”
    • Give your playlist a name reflective of its content.
    • As you add songs, utilize the search function or browse through saved albums on your profile page.
    • Drag and drop each track into the playlist until you’ve added all the songs you desire​.
Step-by-step guide to making a Spotify playlist public on desktop and mobile

How to check if a playlist is public on Spotify?

Checking the privacy status of a playlist on Spotify can be done through the following steps:

  1. Via Desktop:
    • Log into your Spotify account.
    • Click your profile picture at the top, then select “Settings.”
    • Under the “Social” section, toggle “Publish my new playlists on my profile” on/off. If the toggle is on, new playlists you create will be public by default​.
    • Additionally, click on your username (top right corner), and then click ‘public playlists’ to see all of your public playlists​​.
  2. Via Mobile App:
    • Open the Spotify app and log into your account.
    • Go to settings, then click your username at the top.
    • Here you can see your public playlists​​.

Why would you want to make a playlist public on Spotify?

Creating a public playlist on Spotify unveils a plethora of engaging experiences. It’s an avenue for music enthusiasts to share their unique taste and curated lists of songs with a broader audience. Here are some compelling reasons why making a playlist public on Spotify can be rewarding:

  1. Community Engagement:
    • Sharing a public playlist allows others to discover and enjoy the music you appreciate. It fosters a sense of community among users with similar musical tastes.
  2. Music Discovery:
    • By making your playlist public, you contribute to the vast pool of music on Spotify, aiding others in discovering new songs and artists.
  3. Personal Branding:
    • For individuals or entities looking to build a brand or gain a following, public playlists serve as a platform to showcase musical taste and personality.
  4. Collaborative Playlists:
    • Public playlists can be collaborative, allowing multiple users to add tracks, creating a diverse and dynamic music collection.
  5. Event Preparation:
    • Public playlists are great for events. They can be created for parties, workouts, or other social gatherings, setting the desired mood and engaging attendees.
Visual representation of the benefits of public playlists on Spotify

Why would you want to keep a playlist private on Spotify?

While public playlists offer a communal music experience, there are instances where keeping a playlist private is preferable. Here are some scenarios:

  1. Personal Enjoyment:
    • Sometimes, music serves as a personal escape. Keeping a playlist private ensures a personal space for your musical reflections.
  2. Surprise Playlists:
    • Creating a surprise playlist for a special occasion? Keeping it private until the big reveal is essential.
  3. Work in Progress:
    • If you’re curating a playlist for a particular purpose or event and it’s not yet ready for public consumption, keeping it private is prudent.
  4. Sensitive Content:
    • Playlists containing sensitive or explicit content might be better kept private to avoid unwanted attention or judgments.

Tips for creating and sharing public playlists on Spotify

Creating an engaging public playlist requires a thoughtful approach. Here are some tips to consider:

  1. Curate Thoughtfully:
    • Ensure your playlist has a coherent theme. A well-curated playlist attracts more followers and generates better engagement.
  2. Update Regularly:
    • Keeping your playlist fresh with new tracks encourages followers to return and discover what’s new.
  3. Engage with Followers:
    • Respond to comments and suggestions. Engaging with your followers creates a community around your playlist.
  4. Promote Your Playlist:
    • Share your playlist on social media platforms and encourage others to do the same. The more visibility your playlist gets, the more followers you’ll attract.
  5. Use Descriptive Titles and Cover Art:
    • A catchy title and visually appealing cover art can draw more attention to your playlist, making it easily identifiable and memorable.
  6. Collaborate with Others:
    • Invite other Spotify users to contribute to your playlist. Collaboration brings in diverse musical perspectives, enriching the playlist’s content.

Related Articles:

  1. How to Share a Spotify Playlist on Discord (New 2023): Learn the ins and outs of sharing your curated Spotify playlists on Discord.
  2. How to See Who Liked Your Spotify Playlist: Discover who’s vibing with your musical selections on Spotify.
  3. Can Artist See Your Playlist on Spotify?: Find out if artists can view the playlists they are featured in.
  4. How to Blend Spotify with Friends: Get to know how to create collaborative playlists with your pals.