Let's be real: We all engage in a little harmless social media stalking every now and then. Whether it's browsing photos of your new office crush, seeing what your ex is up to these days, or just being a Marites about the latest gossip in your friend group, it's a habit that's become almost second nature to us.
By now, you're probably already well-versed in stalking people on Facebook, Instagram, or even LinkedIn. (And just so we're all on the same page: by "stalk," it's meant in the Internet sense as in going through social media profiles.) But here's one that might not be on your radar yet: Spotify Stalking.
What is Spotify Stalking?
It works just as you might expect. Essentially, Spotify Stalking involves checking out someone’s Spotify activity to gain insights into their personality through their music choices and to see if your tastes and moods align. This might involve checking their listening history, solo and collaborative playlists, or recently played songs, with the purpose of understanding someone's feelings or state of mind.
Veronica Lopez, sex and relationships editor at Cosmopolitan US, was one of the first to advocate for Spotify Stalking in a previous article. "The list of benefits to Spotify stalking your crush is a long one. Unlike on TikTok or LinkedIn, there’s currently no way to see who’s viewed your profile so that you can browse their playlists to your heart’s content," she points out.
"If you want to know what this person's day-to-day looks like, Spotify stalk. Do they have a workout playlist? A lo-fi focus playlist? A playlist called 'Cooking' or 'Sundays' that’s packed with mellow tunes that are simultaneously wholesome and also kind of horny? If so, then congratulations—they have their shit together."
The main goal, of course, is to discover enough common ground to give you the confidence to approach your crush in person. "[Use] their Spotify profile to actually find common interests and chat about them [in real life]," Veronica adds.
Why would you Spotify stalk someone?
Try not to get too caught up in the "stalk" part—it's not like you're stumbling into something off-limits. (If you don't want to get Spotify stalked yourself, you can also fix that up in the privacy settings on the app.) It's more about having a unique glimpse into someone's personality beyond the carefully curated images and posts on their social media. You get to see their more authentic side, and, if your instincts are correct, you'll end up liking this person even more. After all, there's a reason why dating apps like Bumble also show which artists and songs you and another user share in common.
It's also an excellent way to uncover songs, genres, and artists that might reveal whether you and your crush share similar tastes. What kind of music are they drawn to? What songs resonate with them? You can actually learn a lot about your compatibility with someone just by exploring their music preferences. Plus, if it works out, you might just get to go on concert dates together!
More than anything, it doesn't feel as intrusive. Unlike liking or commenting on social media posts, Spotify Stalking is more subtle and passive, allowing you to engage with someone without appearing overly forward or potentially invading their privacy.
Now, it goes without saying, but Spotify Stalking isn't something you should abuse or do repeatedly. We suggest reserving it for when you're truly interested in someone, and even then, it's merely a way to break the ice or start a conversation with a little guide.
Ultimately, nothing compares to discovering their preferences—and their personality—through real-life interactions. And if it turns out that you and your crush do vibe IRL, let us know when you start collaborating on a playlist—we'd love to give it a listen!
