Tag: survey

New Spotify Study Shows Audio Is the Number One Productivity Booster

March 4, 2021

The new normal isn’t so new anymore. With many approaching a year of being at home, we’re all eager to find new ways to maintain our focus and productivity—something that means much more than getting things done at work. According to a recent study commissioned in the U.S. and UK by Spotify, 87% of people believe productivity touches every aspect of their lives, from work and creative pursuits to managing a home and caring for a family. 

The study also found that, no matter the task at hand, audio is a key part of people’s productivity tool kits. It helps individuals achieve certain moods, transform their environments, and get into the right frame of mind. Audio is the number one productivity booster, with 37% of respondents citing it as the key driver to success during productivity moments. This played out on Spotify too: Over the past year of social distancing and spending more time at home, we’ve seen a 26% increase in user-generated “focus” playlists created on-platform globally.*

Looking to find the right audio to help you get in the zone? Read on for some additional key recommendations from the study,** as well as the most popular sounds that might be useful as you get into a task or project.  

Fit the sound to the task

Nearly 75% of respondents agreed that the type of audio they stream needs to be tailored to the activity they’re doing. So whether you’re working on your desktop, going for a walk to clear your mind, or going for a drive to run errands, make sure you have the audio to match. 

  • Study and chill: 69% of respondents said ambient or chill music is better for studying, with 67% indicating ‘slower’ beats are key for their study sessions. The top three most popular playlists within the Spotify Focus Hub across the globe include: Peaceful Piano, Lo-Fi Beats, and Instrumental Study. “Chicago Freestyle (feat. Giveon)” by Drake and Giveon is the top-streamed chill/ambient track, followed by “Mariposa” by Peach Tree Rascals, “Yellow Hearts” by Ant Saunders, “Into the Unknown” by AURORA & Idina Menzel, and “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. 
  • Foster home improvement: 64% of respondents said that when doing housework or making home improvements, they prefer to listen to high-energy music with a faster BPM. Looking for the perfect jams for just that? Check out Spotify’s “Get Chores Done” and “Housewerk” playlists.
  • Fuel creativity: 43% of respondents said they are more likely to listen to instrumental music when writing creatively or analyzing data/information. 

Get in the right state of mind

The largest barrier to being productive is internal stimuli—things like stress, mood, and level of tiredness. Roughly 80% of respondents said listening to something helps them focus, tune out distractions, and create their own space. 

  • Use audio to help you fight the afternoon slump: Spotify found that streams of its Focus Hub are highest in the afternoons, between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. 
  • Find the right track for you for the moment: Searching for the perfect song or podcast for the moment can be tough—nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents said they struggle to find the right content—but personalized playlists like Spotify’s popular Discover Weekly or Brain Snacks playlists can help you find the right audio, made just for you.
  • Switch off when you need it: Audio isn’t only for laser-focused task completion—it can also help you decompress. In fact, 87% of respondents reported using audio to help switch off and relax. Updated twice daily, the evening edition of Spotify’s Daily Wellness playlist is built to get you ready for a good night’s sleep so you can slip into one of the most crucial acts of wellness and self-care. Or check out Happier with Gretchen Rubin, where Rubin provides practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits. 

Ready to get in the zone? Find all this and more in Spotify’s Focus Hub.

 

*All Spotify data collected from February 4, 2020 – February 4, 2021 unless otherwise specified.

**Survey was conducted with 4,000 adult respondents across the U.S. and UK, exploring what productivity means to each of them and how they manage productivity in their daily lives. The survey also included a qualitative diary with six American participants.

From Family Time to Me Time, Here’s How Moms Say They’re Using Music and Podcasts

May 8, 2020

Mother’s Day is always a special time, yet this year the occasion—and motherhood in general—looks a little different. That’s why Spotify asked more than 3,000 moms in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. how they’re navigating the new normal and how music and podcasts are playing a role. As it turns out, audio content is truly helping moms make the most of family time. 

Of mothers surveyed, 78% have used music to connect with their kids in the past month, while a third say they’ve listened to podcasts with their kids for fun, education, or even as a break from screen time. Case in point: Story Pirates, a podcast featuring stories by kids for kids, has seen a 39% boost in Spotify streams since March. 

That’s not all we found. From dance parties to moments of meditation, here’s how moms are using music and podcasts to get through their days.

Multitasking master

When it comes to multitasking, no one does it quite like moms. A whopping 81% of those surveyed say they’re juggling at least one other task while streaming their favorite music or podcasts. The most popular activities? Chores, cooking, or working out. Looking for something new to stream while multitasking? Check out the “Listening Together” artist-created playlists in our Home Hub to find music for any task.

Movin’ and groovin’

At-home dance parties are the perfect way to shake off stress, get in some exercise, and boogie down with your quarantine cohorts. More than 40% of moms said they’ve started dance parties in the last month on their own or with their families. Our Dance Pop playlist has the hits you need to get the party started.

Can’t get you out of my head

Mom’s genre of choice? For 38% it’s pop, while 14% are rocking out to rock, and 13% are riding off into the sunset with country jams. Plus, since quarantine began, 30% of moms report having a catchy earworm stuck in their heads. Some of those songs include “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion, “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars,” Adore You” by Harry Styles,” Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, and “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk!.

Grrrl power 

If you had your very own podcast, who would your dream cohost be? For the moms surveyed, 35% said it would be their own mom, BFF, or grandma. If you’re looking for a parent-child duo for inspiration, check out fashion designer Cynthia Rowley’s show Ageless, cohosted by her daughter Kit.

Dancing on my own 

Yet besides using music and podcasts to spend time with family, many moms are also turning to their favorite music to get some much-needed alone time. More than half of those surveyed said they’re over listening to the content their kids want to listen to—and that they’ve used music to tune out their families. To get away, about a third of moms say they’re escaping to their bedrooms to listen to music or opting for a solo walk. Some moms (34% of respondents) say they’ve hopped in the car to drive to nowhere just to blast a few songs in solitude. If the windows-down, wind-in-your-hair vibe sounds like your thing, we’ve got a playlist just for that. Another option for Spotify Premium Family Plan subscribers is Spotify Kids, which allows children to explore audio with you or on their own—or enjoy kid-friendly audio handpicked for them.

All the feels 

It’s probably no surprise that moms (like many of us) are just taking things one day at a time. According to 67%, that’s how they’ve handled these past few weeks. Meanwhile, 30% described their mood as “frustrated,” another 30% said they were “anxious,” and 35% said they’ve cried along to a song in the last month. At this unprecedented time, it’s important that those who take such good care of their families also take care of themselves. Moms can check out Daily Wellness for a personalized mix of motivational podcasts, and feel-good music can help create a little “me time” in their routines.

 

Whether they’re singing loud and proud or taking it easy with their favorite chill tracks, one thing’s for sure: Moms are rock stars.

That’s why this Mother’s Day, we created a playlist to celebrate and thank moms for all their hard work year-round. Between enjoying some alone time, cooking for your family, or dancing on your own, the Mother’s Day 2020 playlist has a little something for you.

Stream the Mother’s Day 2020 playlist below and have a happy Mother’s Day!