As Spotify’s popular Discover Weekly playlist feature continues to serve as a gateway to new music for millions of users, a growing number of subscribers are voicing frustration over the increasing presence of AI-generated tracks infiltrating their personalized recommendations. The platform, which introduced Discover Weekly in 2015 as a way to help listeners find new artists, now faces significant backlash from its user base who claim the prevalence of “AI slop” is degrading what was once a celebrated feature.
Spotify has acknowledged the issue and promised to address the flood of artificial content, though many users report that AI-generated music remains pervasive in their weekly playlists. The company has removed over 75 million spammy tracks in the past year in an effort to clean up the platform. The algorithm-curated selections, which refresh every Monday, were designed to surface emerging talent and undiscovered gems based on individual listening habits. Instead, users increasingly find themselves skipping through tracks that lack the human touch and authenticity they’ve come to expect.
Algorithmic promises remain unfulfilled as listeners wade through synthetic sounds masquerading as authentic musical discovery.
The impact extends beyond mere annoyance, potentially threatening the ecosystem for genuine emerging artists. According to Spotify data, 77% of artist discoveries through Discover Weekly come from emerging musicians at the beginning of their careers. As AI-generated content competes for these valuable playlist spots, human creators may find themselves at a disadvantage despite support programs like RISE and RADAR. Independent artists are encouraged to utilize artist profiles on streaming platforms to access analytics tools that could help them compete against the AI influx. Musicians who focus on genuine fan engagement through playlist pitching opportunities may stand a better chance of breaking through the noise of AI content.
User complaints highlight a particular frustration with the lack of filtering options available to exclude AI content from personalized recommendations. Many have reported altering their listening habits in response, while others have taken to community forums advocating for change. “It feels like the magic is gone,” one long-time subscriber noted in a recent feedback thread. Since its launch, users have streamed an impressive 100 billion tracks through Discover Weekly, making it one of the platform’s most influential features for music discovery.
While Spotify continues to navigate the technical challenges of managing AI content within its recommendation algorithms, the company faces a delicate balancing act between embracing innovation and maintaining the quality that built its reputation. For now, the streaming giant risks eroding user trust as subscribers increasingly question whether their Discover Weekly playlists still live up to their name.
