Is the Spotify algorithm biased against LGBTQ+ content?

Other Questions Spotify
1

Hey everyone,

I’ve been using Spotify for a while now, and I’ve noticed something weird. It seems like the algorithm isn’t recommending many LGBTQ+ artists or songs with queer themes. At first, I thought it was just me, but then I talked to some friends, and they noticed the same thing.

Has anyone else experienced this? I’m wondering if there’s some kind of unintentional bias in the AI that Spotify uses for recommendations. It’s frustrating because I want to discover more diverse music, but it feels like the app is limiting my options.

Does anyone know if Spotify has addressed this issue before? Or are there any ways to tweak the algorithm to be more inclusive? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

2

I’ve actually noticed something similar in my Spotify experience. While I can’t say for certain if there’s intentional bias, it does seem that LGBTQ+ artists and themes are underrepresented in recommendations. This might stem from factors like how the algorithm prioritizes mainstream or popular content over niche or emerging artists. In my case, following LGBTQ+ artists and exploring curated playlists has helped diversify my recommendations. It remains an issue worth discussing, and addressing it could encourage a broader representation in streaming algorithms.