Spotify’s annual Wrapped feature, eagerly awaited by users each year, has drawn criticism in 2024 for falling short of expectations. While typically celebrated for its creative and interactive data insights, this year’s edition shifted focus to an AI-powered podcast in collaboration with Google, leaving many users feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.
The feature, which offers a personalized summary of users’ listening habits, faced backlash on social media platforms like X, where the hashtag #SpotifyWrapped2024 was dominated by complaints. Descriptions like “boring,” “a flop,” and “underwhelming” were commonly echoed in user posts, overshadowing positive feedback. A viral post labeling Wrapped as a disappointment garnered over 108,000 likes at the time of writing, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction.
Shift in Focus Draws Criticism
One of the central grievances stems from Spotify prioritizing the AI podcast over fan-favorite elements like “music personality” quizzes, “audio aura” visuals, and playful interactive games. Users also lamented the absence of detailed statistics such as top music genres and podcasts, features that had become staples of the Wrapped experience.
Spotify did not elaborate on the decision-making process behind this year’s feature set but confirmed that users needed to meet specific criteria—such as listening to at least two episodes on different days—for their top podcasts to appear. Despite these clarifications, many users expressed confusion or frustration when features they expected were missing or incomplete.
Design and Execution Face Mixed Reactions
Wrapped 2024’s visual design also received lukewarm feedback, with critics calling it “mid” or overly simplistic, though some users appreciated the graphics. The “Your Music Evolution” feature, which tracked changes in musical taste using niche genres, was described by some as “strange” and less engaging compared to previous years’ offerings. Additionally, the Wrapped feed did not directly link to the “Your Top Songs 2024” playlist, which led to confusion among some users.
The AI podcast itself sparked divided opinions. While some users unfamiliar with Google’s NotebookLM were impressed by the technology, others felt uneasy or disappointed with its execution. TikTok users posting under the #SpotifyWrapped hashtag expressed similar sentiments, with many suggesting that the reliance on AI contributed to the overall lackluster experience.
Possible Connections to Layoffs and Resource Constraints
Some users speculated that Wrapped’s perceived downgrade was tied to Spotify’s earlier layoffs in 2023, which affected 2,300 employees. CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged that the staffing cuts had disrupted day-to-day operations more than anticipated. Wrapped, though a year-end feature, is developed with contributions from multiple Spotify teams, including marketing, product, and music. The company has already begun work on the 2025 edition, though it declined to disclose how many employees are involved in the project.
Spotify’s official comment on the feedback was characteristically vague, stating, “Every year we look to bring a new and exciting experience to Wrapped for listeners. It’s part of the secret sauce of Wrapped.”
As Spotify moves forward with plans for next year’s Wrapped, the company will likely face pressure to address the criticisms and deliver a more engaging and comprehensive feature. For many users, the creative and quirky elements that Wrapped became known for are what made it special—and their absence this year was keenly felt.
Featured image courtesy of Rolling Stone
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