Spotify gets a new logo for its 20th anniversary, sparking backlash from users

Spotify has given its app icon a temporary makeover to mark its 20th anniversary, replacing the familiar green circle with a sparkly green disco ball. The company is pairing the change with a campaign called “Spotify 20: Your Party of the Year(s),” and users can find anniversary features inside the mobile app, according to USA Today.

The new icon keeps the three curved black soundwave lines from the original design, but adds a 3-D look that makes it resemble a mirror ball. Spotify has said the update is meant to signal a special moment for the brand, which it has used to celebrate other milestones before.

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User reaction and new features

Not everyone is happy with the change. According to The Independent, some users on social media said the redesign looked confusing, while others called for the old logo to come back right away. A few users, however, were more accepting and said the company could have made a much simpler change.

Spotify’s disco ball logo comes as the service rolls out other anniversary content. The company recently shared its all-time most-listened-to artists, albums, songs, podcasts, and audiobooks, per USA Today. It also launched a personalized listening history feature called “Your Party of the Year(s).”

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That feature gives mobile users a look at personal streaming milestones, including their first day on Spotify, top artists, and most-played songs, said USA Today. Spotify said users can find it by searching “Spotify 20” or “Party of the Year(s)” in the app, or by visiting spotify.com/20 on a mobile device.

According to The Independent, Spotify has said the green color behind the brand has always been a deliberate choice meant to stand out from the more muted shades common in tech. The company’s leaders also said the logo’s look should feel vibrant, unexpected, and tied to the brand’s identity.