Spotify Product Suggestions
Here's a brief backstory:
A long time ago I collected cassette tapes, then CDs, then I downloaded music, and then I realized that everything would be cloud based, so I switched to Grooveshark. Both you and Grooveshark launched in close timing, but they were doing it way better. You didn't have Led Zeppelin, you didn't have Black Sabbath, and you didn't have many users. A few months ago I realized Grooveshark is simply not winning the competition and I liked that Spotify had an established community, so I switched over.
Spotify is alright. It's not great. Here's my asshole analysis of what's wrong and some suggestions for product enhancements:
The Problem:
Spotify is a social music platform that does not allow users to be social.
Some Solutions:
User Radio
I want to listen to what someone is listening to like we're in the car.
If they change the music mid-song, I want to hear it, even if they keep changing.
If someone is listening to my song, I want to know
If I'm playing Andrew's radio and he's playing Travis's radio, I'm listening to Travis's radio until Andrew is not listening to Travis's radio.
Group Messages
Including more people in the conversation will keep the conversation going.
Including more people in the conversation will increase user interconnectivity.
Take advantage of users' natural familiarity with Facebook messaging.
"Friends Like You"
Can be something simple like which of your friends likes the most songs that you do.
Can be something more complex like the related artists feature.
Should take advantage of online dating techniques like OK Cupid.
"Platonic Music Match"
Comments and Likes
Why is this not already implemented?!
Not Facebook related. You gotta separate from the sinking ship.
Stop there! Don't clutter my newsfeed with a bunch of random features. See #2.
Don't call them likes. Call them something cooler and music related.
Here are my points on a whiteboard with some descriptive illustrations. I'm not asking for much in return - just a better user experience. Maybe a free year subscription, maybe an interview in a couple years, maybe some equity. Whatever is easiest.