Spotify’s User Notes Save Song Memories, While Running Mode Matches Your Workout Pace

Spotify is turning playlists into personal journals while transforming workout music into a more adaptive running companion.

Its new User Notes feature preserves the memories attached to songs, while Running Mode builds soundtracks around a listener’s pace, preferences, and workout structure.
 

TL;DR

• User Notes lets listeners add personal captions and memories to individual songs.
• Running Mode generates workout music using pace, duration, intensity, and music preferences.
• User Notes supports eligible free and Premium users, while Running Mode is limited to Premium subscribers in selected countries.

Spotify User Notes Turn Playlists Into Personal Music Journals

Spotify’s User Notes feature allows listeners to attach personal captions to tracks in playlists they created or contributed to.

A note could explain why a song was added, where it was first discovered, or which personal moment it represents. Someone could record that a track played during a first date or was discovered while walking through Paris on vacation.

“Over time, these notes paint a picture of the music listeners love and the moments that shaped it,” Spotify said. “User Notes transforms playlists from a collection of songs into a more personal space for music discovery, bringing together personalization and added context around the music that listeners love.”

Users can open the three-dot menu beside an eligible song, select “Add note,” enter their caption, and save it. The note will appear with the track and can be viewed by anyone who has access to the playlist, with the author’s name linking to their Spotify profile.

By combining music discovery with journaling, Spotify is giving playlists a layer of personal context that competing platforms such as Apple Music and YouTube Music do not currently offer.
 

Spotify Running Mode Builds Workout Playlists Around Pace And Intensity

While User Notes looks backward at the memories connected to music, Running Mode focuses on what listeners are doing in the moment.

Available through Spotify’s Fitness Hub, the feature generates music for different stages of a run based on workout intensity, preferred tempo, and listening habits. Premium users can select from 25 presets and choose workout formats such as interval, steady, or pyramid runs.

Listeners can also customize the duration, beats per minute, and type of music they want to hear. Running Mode can then add optional English-language audio cues to guide them through different phases of the workout.

The feature builds on Spotify’s work with prompted playlists. The company observed that many listeners were already using those tools to create fitness and workout playlists, helping inspire a dedicated running experience.
 

Spotify had also introduced fitness content with Peloton earlier this year. Running Mode arrives a few months after Strava removed Spotify integration from its Record feature.
 

Spotify Splits User Notes And Running Mode Availability

User Notes is rolling out to people aged 16 and older on both free and Premium plans in select markets.

Running Mode has a narrower launch. It is available to Premium subscribers using iOS in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden.

Together, the features show Spotify expanding beyond passive music streaming. One gives listeners a place to preserve the stories behind their songs, while the other reshapes their music around every stage of a run.