Designing User Experience in Algorithmic Culture: User Agency in Spotify's Algorithm-driven Interface
2025 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
This study explores how Spotify's algorithm-driven design influences music discovery and shapes user agency. Relying on affordance theory and different concepts of user agency, the research examines how Spotify is designed to monetize user data and how that translates into user experience. Through a mixed-method approach - combining the walkthrough method and media go-alongs sessions - the study analyzes both the app's user interface design (UI) and user experiences (UX). The findings highlight a tension between user agency and structural monetizing-driven platform constraints. This reflects how, in today's platform society, universal practices that once were not platform-based, such as discovering and listening to music are increasingly shaped by digital platforms. Overall, the study shows that users often engage with these data-driven environments in passive ways, allowing platforms to use their personal data without much resistance. This highlights how data collection practices have become normalized - even when user profiling is inaccurate.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025.
Keywords [en]
Spotify, algorithm-driven design, user agency, affordance theory, music discovery, user experience, user interface, walkthrough method, media go-along method, datafication, platform society
National Category
Media and Communication Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-76569OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-76569DiVA, id: diva2:1965327
Educational program
KS K3 Media and Communication Studies (master)
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-07-032025-06-082025-07-03Bibliographically approved