Spotify is continuing to reshape its creator tools by deepening its integration with Riverside while officially phasing out older features. This allows the company to lean into proven partner tech and invest more in tools creators are actually using.
Expanded Riverside Integration
- The “Create with Riverside” option is live inside Spotify for Creators (formerly Spotify for Podcasters). Creators can record high-quality audio/video in-browser, invite remote guests, and use tools like transcript-based editing.
- The Riverside tools include AI‑powered enhancements (noise removal, pacing tools, etc.), plus video layout options, captioning, and branding. Everything from recording to final edit and publishing to Spotify can now happen without switching apps.
- Riverside has also been expanding its own capabilities: more languages in transcription, separate audio/video tracks and easier workflows for on‑the‑go and browser‑based recording.
Sunsetting Legacy Spotify Tools
Several “native” Spotify tools have been discontinued or are being phased out:
- Music + Talk, which let creators mix licensed music tracks with commentary, is being shut down.
- Features such as “Record with Friends,” “Voice Message,” and the episode builder (on mobile & web) are also being deprecated.
- These changes took effect around June 2024.
Spotify has described these moves as part of a strategy to "refocus its attention from some of its legacy tools to the next generation of podcast innovations."
Strategic Implications & Current Status
- Spotify seems committed to simplifying the creation workflow by embedding powerful, modern tools (via Riverside) directly in Spotify for Creators. That reduces friction for creators who previously had to hop between recording apps, editing tools and publishing dashboards.
- For creators already using Riverside (or considering it), this means greater seamlessness and integration.
- The phased‑out features have disappointed some creators (especially those focused on music content), but Spotify argues they lacked sufficient traction or monetization path.
