Summer is the perfect time to add rhythm to every moment: whether at the beach, at a barbecue with friends, or just relaxing at home. For this, nothing beats a good playlist. Platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music allow you to not only create a personalized playlist, but also share and organize them efficiently. There are also tools to move your music from one service to another or to collaboratively discover new songs.
If you're wondering how to create the ultimate summer playlist and share it with your friends so everyone can add their favorite songs, this article tells you all the details you need to know. We'll go over all the tools, tricks, and steps for managing and sharing music on both Spotify and YouTube Music, and we'll also explore the possibilities for transferring playlists between platforms or keeping them organized without missing a beat.
Create and share collaborative playlists on YouTube Music
YouTube Music lets you create collaborative playlists even with free accounts. First, create a regular playlist from the Library section , then go to Playlists and choose New playlist . You can give it a name and choose the privacy level: public, hidden, or private.
Once the list is created, it's time to make it collaborative. To do this:
- Access the list and tap the pencil icon to edit it.
- Push the button To collaborate.
- Activate the collaboration option and share the generated link from apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or any other platform.
Contributors can add songs by opening the link, accepting the invitation, and using the "Add a song" button. They won't be able to delete other people's content or reorder tracks, but they will see who added each song, giving the playlist a personal and fun touch.
Create shared playlists on Spotify from any device
Spotify also makes it easy to create collaborative playlists from your mobile device or computer. This process is perfect for putting together the soundtrack for a getaway with friends or a summer party.
On the mobile app:
- Open the app and go to “Your Library.”
- Click the “+” symbol to create a new playlist.
- Assign a name to the list.
- Tap the three-dot icon and choose “Invite Collaborators.”
- Share the generated link (valid for 7 days) with whoever you want.
From a computer, the process is very similar: simply create the list and click the three dots within it to invite collaborators. You can also revoke permissions if necessary by clicking the menu next to each user's name.
Strategies to organize your music and improve your experience
A well-managed library is key to enjoying your music more. Organizing your playlists by mood, genre, or activity makes it easy to find what you want to listen to. Plus, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music even let you create folders to group your playlists.
If you have thousands of songs marked as favorites, it can be helpful to organize them into lists based on:
- Musical genres (pop, rock, electronic, etc.)
- Moods (joy, relaxation, nostalgia)
- Daily activities (train, study, drive)
- Times of the day (mornings, afternoons, nights)
You can also use apps like Organize Your Music that help you select and group songs by BPM, energy, popularity, acoustics, or danceability. These metrics come from the metadata that platforms use to recommend music; so the more organized your playlists are, the better suggestions you'll receive later.
Switch platforms without losing your favorite music
Have you thought about switching from Spotify to YouTube Music or vice versa and are worried about losing your playlists? There are tools that allow you to transfer your playlists without having to do it song by song. Some of the most popular are:
FreeYourMusic
It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It allows you to migrate up to 300 songs for free (600 if you subscribe to their newsletter). Monthly subscriptions start at $6,66. It maintains the order of your songs when you move them and offers automatic synchronization across platforms.
TuneMyMusic
It has a web version and supports more platforms, including Apple Music and even .txt or .csv files. It allows you to move up to 500 songs for free , and its premium version costs around $5,5 per month. It also allows you to create backups in its cloud.
Sounder
Compatible with more than 40 services, including Reddit, Dailymotion, and Movistar Música. Its free plan allows for individual transfers of playlists of up to 200 songs. The paid version costs €5 per month, while the Creator plan, for musicians, costs €9,50 per month, including advanced analytics.
Tips to get more out of Spotify folders
One of Spotify's most useful, yet lesser-known, features is playlist folders . From your desktop, you can right-click on your playlists in the sidebar and choose "Create folder." This allows you to organize your playlists by:
- Gender (Jazz, Pop, Indie…)
- Theme (Party, Trip, Sport…)
- seasons (Summer, Christmas…)
- Events (Birthdays, Weddings…)
You can also pin folders to the home screen for quicker access, use emojis or abbreviations, and easily move them within the list. Subfolders are also available for those seeking even more detailed organization.
Thematic lists for summer: how to prepare them
A good summer playlist should reflect good vibes, energy, and variety . There are no hard and fast rules, but here are some tips:
- It includes songs with high BPM for active moments, such as parties or workouts.
- Combines current hits with summer classics to please everyone.
- Use tools like Playlist Miner to find popular songs on Spotify's public playlists.
- Remember to keep a balance between genres and styles (reggaeton, pop, electronic, etc.).
If you're going with friends, it's ideal to create a collaborative playlist where everyone contributes their favorite tracks. If you prefer complete control, you can curate a playlist beforehand and share it for inspiration.
Advantages of keeping your lists organized
Beyond the personal benefit of quickly finding what you want to listen to, having well-structured playlists allows you to:
- Discover old songs that you had forgotten.
- Improve algorithmic recommendations from Spotify or YouTube Music.
- Share playlists easily with friends or on social networks.
- Optimize your musical image If you are an artist or influencer: a well-organized playlist gives professionalism.
What to do if you frequently switch platforms?
If you're someone who enjoys exploring new services, tools like FreeYourMusic, Soundiiz, or TuneMyMusic are your best allies. You can also keep a .csv or .m3u file of your playlists as a backup. Some services even allow you to import these files.
In addition, many platforms allow you to play local files (for example, downloaded MP3s). On Spotify, you can enable this option in the settings. This allows you to create hybrid playlists with your files and streaming songs.
Creating the perfect summer playlist involves more than just randomly playing music. By leveraging collaborative, organizational, and cross-platform migration features, you can have personalized, shareable playlists that are always ready for any time of day. Enjoy the best soundtrack for every moment of your summer. Share this guide so more people can learn how to do it.