The fastest way to find a user on Spotify
The quickest method is to use Spotify's search bar at the top of the app or website. Type the person's username (not their display name) into the search field, select "Users" from the dropdown menu that appears, and click on their profile when it shows up. If you know their email address instead, you can search for that too — Spotify will return their account if it's public.
If the person has shared a link to their profile with you directly, just tap or click it. This skips the search entirely and takes you straight to their account. Many people share these links in text messages, social media, or email when they want friends to find them easily.
The search method works on Spotify's mobile app (iOS and Android) and on the web player at spotify.com. The steps are the same on both.
Key Takeaways
- Search by username in Spotify's search bar, then select "Users" from the dropdown to find a specific person's account.
- A person's username is different from their display name — you need the username to search for them.
- If someone's profile is private, you won't be able to see their playlists or listening history, even if you find their account.
- You can follow someone without them following you back, and they'll get a notification that you followed them.
- If you can't find someone by username, ask them directly for their profile link or username — they may have a private account or a username you don't know.
Finding someone's username when you only know their name
If you know the person's real name but not their Spotify username, start by searching their name in the search bar. Spotify will return results for playlists, artists, and songs with that name, but not necessarily the user account. Scroll down to see if a user profile appears — if the person has a public account and their display name matches what you searched, they may show up.
This method is unreliable if the person has a common name or if their display name is different from their username. A better approach is to ask them directly for their username or profile link. You can also check if they've shared their Spotify profile on social media — many people link to it on Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok bios.
If you're trying to find a friend and you have their phone number or email, you could ask them to send you their Spotify profile link. This is faster than guessing at usernames.
Understanding public and private profiles
When you find someone on Spotify, their profile may be public or private. A public profile shows their playlists, the songs they're currently listening to (if they've turned on activity sharing), and their followers. You can see what they're listening to in real time if they've enabled that feature. A private profile hides all of this information — you can follow them, but you won't see their playlists or activity.
The person who owns the account controls this setting. They can make their profile private by going to Settings > Social > Private Session or by adjusting their profile visibility. If someone's profile is private and you want to see their playlists, you'll need to ask them to share specific playlists with you directly, or ask them to make their profile public.
Even on a private profile, you can still follow the person and send them messages through Spotify if they've enabled direct messages.
What happens after you find and follow someone
Once you follow someone, their account appears in your "Following" list, and they'll receive a notification that you followed them. They don't have to follow you back — following on Spotify is one-directional, unlike some other social platforms. You'll start seeing their public playlists in your feed if you have activity sharing turned on.
If the person has a public profile, you can see what they're listening to right now (if they've enabled activity sharing). You can also see their saved songs and playlists, and you can follow those playlists separately if you want to get updates when they add new songs.
If you want to stop following someone, go to their profile and click the "Following" button to unfollow them. They won't be notified that you unfollowed them.
Searching for someone by their email address
If you have the person's email address, you can search for it directly in Spotify's search bar. This works if their account is linked to that email and their profile is public. Type the full email address into the search field, select "Users" from the dropdown, and see if their account appears.
This method is useful if you know someone's email but not their username. However, it only works if their profile is public — private accounts won't show up in email searches. If the search doesn't return a result, the account may be private, or the email may not be associated with a Spotify account.
Finding users through shared playlists
Another way to discover someone on Spotify is through a playlist they've created or contributed to. If you see a playlist you like and want to know who made it, click on the creator's name at the top of the playlist. This takes you directly to their profile, where you can follow them and see their other playlists.
You can also find users by looking at who's following a playlist you're interested in. On a playlist page, click "See all" next to the follower count to view a list of people following it. From there, you can click on any follower's name to visit their profile.
This method works well if you're trying to find people with similar music taste to yours, even if you don't know them personally.
Troubleshooting: Why you can't find someone
If you've searched for someone and can't find them, the most common reasons are: their profile is private, you have the wrong username, or they don't have a Spotify account. Ask the person directly for their username or profile link — they'll know exactly what to give you.
Another possibility is that the person's account was deleted or deactivated. If someone had a Spotify account in the past but you can't find them now, they may have closed it. Spotify doesn't keep deleted accounts searchable.
If you're searching on the mobile app and having trouble, try searching on the web player at spotify.com instead. Sometimes the search function works differently between platforms, and one may return results the other doesn't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find someone on Spotify if I only know their real name?
You can try searching their real name, but results are unreliable if it's common or if their display name is different from their username. The best approach is to ask them for their username or profile link directly.
Will someone know if I search for them on Spotify?
No. Searching for someone doesn't notify them. They'll only be notified if you follow their account or interact with their playlists.
What's the difference between a username and a display name on Spotify?
Your username is a unique identifier you set when you create your account — it's what you search for to find someone. Your display name is what appears on your profile and can be changed anytime. Search always uses the username, not the display name.
Can I message someone after I find them on Spotify?
Yes, if they've enabled direct messages in their settings. Go to their profile and look for a message icon. If they've disabled messages, you won't see the option.
What if someone's profile is private and I want to see their playlists?
You can follow them, but you won't see their playlists or activity. Ask them to share specific playlists with you directly, or ask them to make their profile public if they're comfortable doing so.