Music Age Gap: Why Spotify's Listening Age Might Not Be Accurate
Spotify's yearly feature, Wrapped, gives users a fun look at their listening habits. This year, it introduced "listening age", which predicts how old someone's music taste is. Many users found this feature amusing, but some were surprised by the results.
Surprising Results
User Aged 57, Listening Age 79
One user, aged 57, was told their listening age is 79. This might seem odd, but it's not just about age. The user enjoys music from the 1960s and has recently been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan. This could explain why Spotify thinks their taste is older.
User Aged 18, Listening Age 37
Other users had different experiences. An 18-year-old was told they sound like a 37-year-old, likely because they listen to a lot of 1990s emo music.
User Aged 73, Listening Age 21
Meanwhile, a 73-year-old was labeled 21, probably due to their love of K-pop.
Mixed Reactions
User Aged 86, Feeling Stung
Some users were upset by their listening age. One user, who was told they are 86, felt a bit sting. They thought they listened to more recent music, but Spotify's algorithm disagreed. However, the user did admit to enjoying older jazz music, which might have skewed their results.
User Aged 100, Taking It in Stride
Another user, who was told they are 100, took the news in stride. They have seen many famous bands live, from Prince to Pete Seeger. They believe music knows no age and enjoy listening to a wide range of artists.
How Spotify Determines Listening Age
Spotify determines listening age by looking at the decades of the music someone listens to the most. However, this can be misleading. For example, someone who listens to a lot of classic rock might be labeled as older, even if they also enjoy newer music.
User Suggestions
Some users wish Spotify would use decades instead of ages. This would give a better idea of someone's musical tastes. For example, someone who listens to a lot of 1980s music might be labeled as an '80s child, rather than being given an age.
Overall Impression
Overall, Spotify's listening age feature is a fun way to look at someone's musical tastes. However, it's important to remember that it's just an algorithm and doesn't define someone's age or musical preferences. Music is for everyone, regardless of age, and it's important to be open to listening to a wide range of artists.
