Amazon Music allows users in Canada to chat and stream music with each other

Amazon Music on Monday announced the launch of “Fan Groups,” a new beta feature that allows users to create and join groups based on their favorite genres and artists. This feature allows fans to chat, post and listen to songs shared within these groups.

The feature is currently being tested in Canada on iOS and Android devices.

Users can access fan groups through the Search tab located below the search bar at the top of the app. From there, they can explore more than 30 different collections dedicated to various musical interests, from indie rock and country to Punjabi and K-pop, according to a company blog post.

Group members can create new posts, participate in ongoing chat threads, and share or save recommended songs. Users can also stream music without leaving the conversation or group, as they can simply tap the play button at the top to listen to all the songs added, or go to the separate “Music” tab next to “Posts.”

It is worth noting that artists can join these groups, giving them a new way to communicate with fans directly. They can share exclusive content, interact more personally, and build stronger communities with their supporters.

Anyone can create a new group, and admins can mute members and delete messages, a company spokesperson told TechCrunch. Users can report content and can block other members if necessary.

This new feature represents Amazon’s strategy to compete with Spotify, which works to engage users through various social features.

Spotify introduced a messaging feature in August and also a “Jam” feature that enables users to co-create playlists with friends and listen to songs together.

SoundCloud also offers a commenting feature and recently updated its platform to include new social functionality, such as playlists based on what friends are listening to and a direct messaging tool for artists. Another platform, Stationhead, allows users to listen to music together during livestream concerts.

Fan Groups is scheduled to roll out to customers in the US and other markets starting next year.