Amazon Music allows users in Canada to chat and stream music with each other

Amazon Music announced on Monday the launch of “Fan Groups,” a new beta feature that lets users create and join groups based on their favorite genres and artists. The feature allows fans to chat, post, and listen to songs shared within these groups.

The feature is currently being tested in Canada on iOS and Android devices.

Users can access Fan Groups through the “Find” tab located beneath the search bar at the top of the app. From there, they can explore over 30 different groups dedicated to various musical interests, ranging from indie rock and country to Punjabi and K-pop, according to a company blog post.

Group members can create new posts, participate in ongoing chat threads, and share or save recommended songs. Users can also stream music without leaving the conversation or the group — they can simply tap the play button at the top to listen to all the songs added, or navigate to the separate “Music” tab next to “Posts.”

Notably, artists can join these groups, giving them a new way to connect with fans directly. They can share exclusive content, interact more personally, and build stronger communities with their supporters.

Anyone can set up a new group, and administrators can mute members and delete messages, a company spokesperson told TechCrunch. Users can report content and can block other members if needed. 

This new feature represents Amazon’s strategy to compete with Spotify, which has been working to engage users through various social features. 

Spotify introduced a messaging feature in August and also a “Jam” feature that enables users to co-create playlists with friends and listen to songs together. 

SoundCloud also offers a commenting feature and has recently updated its platform to include new social functionalities, such as playlists based on what friends are listening to and a direct messaging tool for artists. Another platform, Stationhead, allows users to listen to music together during livestreaming parties.

Fan Groups is set to roll out to customers in the U.S. and other markets beginning next year.