Spotify Wrapped is one of the most anticipated features for music lovers, offering a yearly summary of top songs, artists, and listening habits. However, many users wonder when Spotify stops tracking their data and whether they can influence their Wrapped results. This guide explains Spotify Wrapped’s tracking period, how data is collected, and what affects the final summary.
When Does Spotify Wrapped Start and Stop Tracking?
Spotify Wrapped tracks listening activity throughout the year, but data collection does not run until December. Instead, Spotify stops recording streams for Wrapped at the end of October to process data and generate insights.
- Spotify Wrapped tracking starts on January 1st and includes every song, artist, and genre played for at least 30 seconds.
- Spotify Wrapped tracking stops on October 31st (or a similar date near the end of October).
- The gap between November and December allows Spotify to finalize the data, create user-specific reports, and prepare Wrapped’s interactive experience.
After October, any new streams do not count toward that year’s Spotify Wrapped.
How Does Spotify Wrapped Track Your Listening Data?
Spotify Wrapped compiles statistics based on user listening behavior. Every time a song is played, Spotify’s system logs specific details, including:
- Total minutes listened across all devices.
- Most played songs and artists, ranked by the number of streams.
- Top genres, based on listening history.
- Listening trends, including new discoveries and repeat tracks.
To ensure accuracy, Spotify only counts a stream if a song is played for at least 30 seconds. Skipping a track before that threshold won’t add it to Wrapped’s stats.
What Counts Toward Spotify Wrapped?
Certain listening behaviors influence Spotify Wrapped, while others don’t. Below is a breakdown of what is included and what isn’t.
| Activity |
Counts Toward Wrapped? |
Notes |
| Listening to Full Songs | ✅ Yes | Must stream for at least 30 seconds. |
| Private Session Mode | ❌ No | Streams in private mode are excluded. |
| Offline Listening | ✅ Yes | Data syncs once online. |
| Listening on Smart Speakers | ✅ Yes | Alexa, Google Home, Sonos streams are included. |
| Deleted Playlists | ❌ No | If a playlist is deleted before Wrapped finalization, it won’t appear. |
Does Private Listening Mode Affect Spotify Wrapped?
Yes, enabling Private Session Mode prevents Spotify from tracking streams for Wrapped. When a private session is active, any songs played during that time will not appear in the final summary. This is useful for keeping guilty pleasure songs out of Wrapped but also means users may miss out on some accurate results.
To check if private mode is on, go to Settings > Social > Private Session and toggle it off if needed.
Can You Change Spotify Wrapped Results?
Users cannot reset or manually edit their Wrapped stats, but they can influence them before the tracking period ends.
- Playing a song more often will increase its ranking on Wrapped.
- If a song is played after October 31st, it won’t count toward that year’s Wrapped.
- Skipping songs before 30 seconds prevents them from being recorded in Wrapped data.
If Wrapped doesn’t reflect actual listening habits, it’s often because of factors like private sessions, offline listening delays, or Spotify’s algorithm prioritizing certain trends.
When Does Spotify Wrapped Release?
Spotify Wrapped is typically released in early December, after the processing phase ends. Users receive an interactive slideshow within the app, featuring:
- Personalized music stats, including top songs, artists, and genres.
- A Spotify Wrapped playlist, compiling a user’s most played songs.
- New Wrapped features, such as AI-powered insights or genre trends.
Wrapped is available in both the Spotify mobile app and desktop version, but it may take a few days to appear for all users.
Spotify Wrapped vs. Other Music Recaps
Spotify Wrapped isn’t the only music summary feature available. Here’s how it compares to others:
- Spotify Wrapped vs. Apple Music Replay: Wrapped is released once per year, while Apple Music Replay updates all year with live statistics.
- Spotify Wrapped vs. YouTube Music Recap: YouTube Recap includes music videos and artists, making it more visually interactive.
- Spotify Wrapped vs. Last.fm Year in Review: Last.fm offers deeper statistics but lacks the social-sharing elements of Wrapped.
Each service has unique features, but Spotify Wrapped remains the most popular for its shareable format and storytelling approach.
Conclusion
Spotify Wrapped stops tracking on October 31st each year to allow time for data processing. Listening habits from January to October shape the final report, while streams in November and December won’t be counted.
Users who want to influence their Wrapped stats should be mindful of how they listen before the cutoff date. Private sessions, skips, and offline mode can impact the final results.
Ultimately, Spotify Wrapped offers a fun, personalized way to reflect on a year of music, making it one of the most anticipated features among streaming users.