Spotify’s annual Wrapped feature has once again stirred conversation – this time by assigning users surprisingly high (or low) “listening ages,” sparking amusement and mild offense among listeners. The 2025 edition introduced new interactive elements, but the age assessment has become the standout talking point.
Several users reported ages dramatically different from their actual ages. One journalist received a “listening age” of 79, despite being 57, while a colleague’s mother, 73, was assigned an age of 21. Another CNET staffer was bluntly told by Spotify they were 100 years old. The discrepancies stem from the app’s analysis of listening habits; Spotify appears to correlate musical tastes with the era when users were most likely to develop them (roughly ages 16-21).
How It Works
Spotify’s methodology, though not fully transparent, seems to identify the dominant musical era in a user’s library. For someone who suddenly deep-dived into Bob Dylan’s discography, the app might infer a listening age rooted in the early 1960s, regardless of the user’s actual birthdate. The tool doesn’t simply measure age but rather assesses what decade a user’s listening habits most strongly resemble.
Why This Matters
The feature highlights the enduring power of generational music preferences. While tastes evolve, core musical identities often solidify during adolescence and early adulthood. Spotify’s assessment taps into this phenomenon, showing how listening choices can reinforce or contradict perceived age. The feature also underscores the app’s ability to profile users based on their data, raising questions about how platforms categorize and influence listening behavior.
The reactions have been mixed. Some users find the assessment amusing, while others feel it’s a strange metric to highlight. Regardless, the viral discussion proves Spotify’s Wrapped remains a cultural moment, turning personal listening habits into shareable social content.
Ultimately, Spotify’s “listening age” is a playful yet revealing glimpse into how musical preferences can transcend chronological age. Whether accurate or not, the feature reminds us that music knows no boundaries – and sometimes, it makes us feel older (or younger) than we are.
