Amazon Music officially launched “Explore” on Tuesday, a new AI-powered search feature for iOS subscribers in the U.S. designed to provide deep-dive insights into their favorite artists.
How the ‘Explore’ Feature Works
To access the tool, users simply tap the “Find” button within the app and search for an artist. By selecting the “Explore” tab located at the top left of the interface, fans can uncover curated details, including artist collaborations, related musical acts, and key highlights from their discography.
Personalized Music Discovery
The AI functionality serves as a tailored guide for listeners. For instance, searching for an artist like Jelly Roll prompts the AI to highlight notable duets, such as “Save Me” featuring Lainey Wilson. Furthermore, Amazon is utilizing this space to spotlight its original content, effectively promoting exclusive tracks like Jelly Roll’s cover of “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” featuring T-Pain.
Integration with Maestro AI Playlists
Beyond information, the feature offers users the ability to generate AI-driven playlists. By integrating “Maestro”—Amazon’s answer to Spotify’s AI DJ launched last year—into the Explore experience, the company aims to drive higher adoption rates for its automated playlist technology.
Strategic Context and Availability
This rollout follows a recent $1 price hike for Amazon Music Unlimited, bringing the monthly cost to $11. The introduction of Explore appears to be a strategic move to add value for subscribers and increase time spent within the app. Currently, the beta version of Explore is available to select Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers on iOS, covering a database of approximately 10,000 artists, including global stars like Bad Bunny and BLACKPINK.
