Finding users on Spotify depends on what you already know about them
Spotify does not have a public directory where you can browse all users by name or location. Instead, you search for people you already know — through their username, by looking at who follows your friends, or by checking who is listening to the same playlist. The method you use depends on whether you have their Spotify username, whether you are connected through mutual friends, or whether you want to see who else is listening to something specific.
The most direct route is asking the person for their Spotify username and searching for it in the app. If you do not have their username, you can find them through shared playlists, mutual followers, or by checking the listener activity on songs and playlists they have made public.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify usernames are not the same as display names — you need the actual username, which often looks like a string of numbers or a custom handle.
- You can search for a user directly in the Spotify app by typing their username into the search bar, then tap their profile to follow them.
- If you know someone's display name but not their username, you can find them through mutual friends, shared playlists, or by checking who is following a public playlist they created.
- Spotify shows you who is following your friends and whose playlists your friends are following, which is another way to discover and connect with users.
- Some users set their profiles to private, which limits what you can see about them and whether you can follow them.
Searching for a user by their Spotify username
If you have someone's Spotify username, this is the fastest way to find them. Open the Spotify app on your phone or computer and tap or click the search icon at the bottom or top of the screen. Type the username into the search box — it will usually be a string of letters and numbers, or a custom name they chose when they created their account.
Spotify will show you results as you type. Look for the person's profile picture and display name to confirm it is the right person. Tap or click on their profile, then tap or click the "Follow" button to add them to your followers list. Once you follow someone, you will see their public playlists and activity in your feed.
The username is not always the same as the display name. A person might have set their display name to "Sarah" but their username might be "sarah.music.1987" or something similar. If you are not sure which is which, ask them directly for their username — it is the easiest way to avoid searching for the wrong person.
Finding users through mutual friends and followers
If you do not have someone's username, you can find them by looking at who your friends are following. Open a friend's profile, then look for the "Following" section. This shows you a list of everyone that person follows on Spotify. Scroll through to see if the person you are looking for is there, then tap their profile and follow them.
You can also check your friends' followers list — tap "Followers" on their profile to see who is following them. This works best if you have a lot of mutual friends, because the person you are looking for might be in that list.
Another option is to look at shared playlists. If you know someone has created or shared a playlist, you can search for that playlist by name, open it, and look at who created it or who is following it. The creator's profile will be listed at the top of the playlist, and you can tap it to follow them.
Checking who is listening to public playlists and songs
When someone creates a public playlist on Spotify, other users can see it and follow it. If you know the name of a playlist someone created, search for it in the app. The creator's name and profile picture will appear at the top of the playlist. Tap their profile to see their other playlists and follow them if you want.
Some playlists also show listener activity — you may see a list of people who are currently listening or who have recently added the playlist to their library. This feature is not available on all playlists, but when it is, you can tap on a listener's name to visit their profile.
Songs can also show who is listening. On some songs, you will see a small icon showing how many people are listening right now. Tap that icon to see a list of listeners, then tap a profile to follow them. Keep in mind that not all users make this information public, so you may not always see a full list.
Understanding public and private Spotify profiles
Spotify users can choose whether their profile is public or private. A public profile means anyone can find them, see their playlists, and follow them. A private profile means only people they have approved can see their activity and playlists.
If someone has a private profile, you may still be able to find them by username, but you will not be able to see their playlists or follow them unless they approve your request. Some private profiles do not show up in search results at all, depending on the privacy settings the user chose.
If you are trying to find someone and cannot locate them, they may have set their profile to private or changed their username. The best approach is to ask them directly for their username or to ask them to follow you instead.
Using Spotify on desktop versus mobile
The steps for finding users are the same on the Spotify desktop app and the mobile app, but the buttons and menus are in slightly different places. On mobile, tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen. On desktop, click the search icon in the left sidebar or use the search bar at the top.
On both versions, type the username into the search box and look for the person's profile in the results. The "Follow" button appears in the same place on both — usually near the top of their profile, next to their display name and profile picture.
If you are using Spotify on a web browser instead of the app, the layout is similar to the desktop app. Click the search icon, type the username, and click the profile to follow them.
What you can see after you follow someone
Once you follow a user, their public activity appears in your feed. This includes new playlists they create, songs they save, and playlists they follow — but only if they have set those items to be public. If someone's profile is public but they have made certain playlists private, you will not see those playlists in your feed.
Following someone does not mean they automatically follow you back. You can follow as many people as you want, and they will not be notified unless you interact with their playlists or send them a message through Spotify.
You can also see what your followers are listening to in real time if they have that feature enabled. This appears in a "Friend Activity" section on your home screen, showing you what your friends and followers are playing right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find someone's Spotify username if I only know their real name?
Search for their real name in Spotify, but be prepared to see many results — usernames are not always the same as display names. If you find someone with the right profile picture or mutual friends, that is likely the right person. If you are not sure, ask them directly for their username, which is the fastest way to confirm.
Can I see who is following me on Spotify?
Yes. Open your own profile and tap or click "Followers" to see a list of everyone who is following you. You can tap any follower's name to visit their profile and follow them back if you want.
What does it mean if I cannot find someone on Spotify?
They may have set their profile to private, deleted their account, or changed their username. They might also not be on Spotify at all. Ask them for their username directly, or ask them to send you a link to their profile — that is the most reliable way to find them.
Do people get notified when I follow them?
Spotify does not send a notification when someone follows you. However, they can see you in their followers list if they check it. You will only notify them if you interact with their playlists or send them a message.
Can I follow someone without them knowing?
Yes. Following someone on Spotify is not a request that requires approval — you can follow anyone with a public profile without asking permission. They will not be notified unless they check their followers list and recognize your name.