YouTube Music marks 10th anniversary with new features, fan badges

YouTube Music marks 10th anniversary with new features, fan badges

At the heart of the update is the Taste Match playlist, a smart, collaborative feature that blends the musical preferences of two or more users into a single, curated stream.

YouTube Music has announced a drop of fresh features that aim to redefine how fans discover, share, and interact with music.

While celebrating its 10th anniversary, the platform has launched Taste Match playlists, interactive album comments, fan loyalty badges, and concert discovery tools, signalling a shift toward a more community-driven listening experience.

This wave of innovation places YouTube Music in direct competition with its rivals, not just in terms of music catalogues, but in cultivating a deeper, more social relationship between artists and fans.

Taste match: your friend group’s new favourite playlist

At the heart of the update is the Taste Match playlist, a smart, collaborative feature that blends the musical preferences of two or more users into a single, curated stream.

Updated daily, the playlist adapts as user behaviour changes, offering a “living mixtape” that reflects group vibes in real time. The new functionality brings an element of personal connection to playlist creation, allowing music lovers to explore where their tastes align, or hilariously differ.

It is like seeing your musical personality mashed up with a friend's, and you can be introduced to music that you would never have found

Bringing the comments section to the soundtrack

For the first time, users can now comment directly on albums and playlists, turning passive listening into an active conversation.

Whether it is debating which song deserved to be the lead single or sharing a nostalgic memory tied to a track, the feature creates a new layer of engagement around music.

Much like YouTube’s video comments, the new system promotes community discussion, artist feedback, and even lighthearted banter, all within the listening experience.

Fan badges

As part of its push toward gamifying music engagement, YouTube Music now awards loyalty badges to top fans.

Titles like “Top Listener,” “First to Watch,” and milestone achievements linked to music video views are now publicly visible on user profiles and comment threads.

These digital trophies reflect listening to habits and artist support, rewarding superfans while encouraging deeper participation in the YouTube Music ecosystem.

Live music

In partnership with Bandsintown, YouTube Music is rolling out integrated concert listings. Users watching an artist’s official music video or exploring a playlist will now see nearby or upcoming tour dates, making it easier to go from streaming to screaming in the crowd, just like on Spotify.

Fans can also set reminders or purchase tickets directly through the app, a powerful bridge between digital listening and real-world musical experiences.

And in a crossover move, these listings are also expanding into standard YouTube, bringing the live music scene to millions more.

A music ecosystem

Alongside these headline features, YouTube Music is rolling out smarter push notifications for new album drops, merch sales, and concert alerts, tailored to each user’s listening preferences.

As music streaming becomes increasingly competitive, YouTube Music’s 10th-anniversary update proves that the platform is not just keeping pace with Spotify and Apple Music.

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