Spotify’s Hold On Facebook Music Questioned

FFacebook has introduced the next tab to appear alongside the ‘Update Status’, ‘Add photo/video’ and ‘Ask question’ tabs – a ‘Share Music’ tab which has been added to a select number of users’ news feeds.

The introduction of the ‘Share Music’ tab is arguably indicative of Facebook’s recognising that taking music seriously is the right direction to take in the development of its services.

The tab, which will ensure that sharing music is possible without leaving Facebook, is the latest in a string of policies aimed at increasing the importance of sharing music on Facebook.

A well-documented deal with Spotify has allowed Facebook’s users to share their music with their friends. But the deal is reciprocated. Spotify is arguably the music streaming service on the net, and it is clear that its increasing presence on Facebook is a significant factor in the streaming service’s popularity.

But Facebook’s trial of a new Share Music facility has its own implications for Spotify. The new facility is similar to making status updates. Users type a song title before tagging their friends in the update.

Although Spotify’s song catalogue is included in the song searches, it seems that other catalogues are also included.

However, the real hammer blow to Spotify comes in the prospect of never having to leave Facebook in order to share music.

For now, Mark Zuckerberg is still quoted on Spotify’s website as saying “Spotify is so good.”

But for how much longer does Facebook need the relationship?

Samuel Agini is the Editor of Andrew Apanov’s Dotted Music.