On the Spotify app, open a show, tap the stars under its description, and submit a 1–5 rating; text reviews aren’t supported.
Want to cheer on a favorite host or steer friends toward a great series? In Spotify, listener feedback lives as star ratings, not written notes. The goal here is simple: show you exactly where the star control sits on iPhone, Android, and desktop, clear up what’s possible (and what isn’t), and help your rating stick.
Leave A Rating On Spotify Shows: Step-By-Step
Spotify places the rating control on the podcast’s main show page. You’ll see a star average and a count of total ratings. Tap that area to open the rater and choose 1–5 stars. On some devices, you’ll also see a menu item labeled “Rate show.” Below is the quick map for each platform.
| Device | Where To Tap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone/iPad | Show page → star average under the description, or “…” menu → “Rate show.” | Make sure you’re on the show page, not an episode page. |
| Android | Show page → star average under the description, or “…” menu → “Rate show.” | If you don’t see stars, scroll a touch; it sits just below the summary. |
| Desktop/Web Player | Show page → look for the rating block below the show summary. | The star rater may roll out by region; mobile has the most consistent control. |
What Written Reviews Mean On Spotify
Some apps collect text comments. Spotify doesn’t. Feedback rolls up into a star average that appears on the show page. That average helps new listeners gauge quality at a glance. If you want to share thoughts in words, many shows add Q&A or polls on episode pages; those are host-moderated features that sit outside the star score.
Find The Rating Control Fast
On Mobile
Open Spotify, search the show, and land on its main page. You’ll see the cover art, a Follow button, and a short description. Just under that block sits a star average. Tap it to open the rater and slide or tap the number of stars you want. If you’re browsing an episode, tap the show title at the top to jump back to the show page first.
On Desktop
Open the show page in the desktop app or web player. The rating lives near the description. If you don’t see a star rater, use your phone; mobile always gets the feature first.
Why Your Rating Might Not Appear Right Away
Spotify uses safeguards to keep ratings useful. A common one: listen to a bit of an episode before the star rater unlocks. Also, the public average updates after a pool of listeners rate a show, so a single rating won’t always move the visible number the moment you tap “Submit.”
Six Common Roadblocks
- You’re On An Episode Page: Jump to the show page to find the stars.
- Old App Build: Update Spotify in the App Store or Google Play.
- Region Rollout: New UI bits can arrive at different times by country.
- Low Connectivity: Ratings need a quick handshake; try again on Wi-Fi.
- Account Type: Both Free and Premium can rate, but you must be logged in.
- UI Glitch: Force-quit the app, clear cache, or reinstall if the rater won’t load.
Short, Clear Steps You Can Follow
Method A: From Search
- Open Spotify.
- Tap Search, type the show name, and open the correct show page.
- Tap the star average under the description.
- Select 1–5 stars and confirm.
Method B: From An Episode
- Tap the episode title or cover.
- Tap the show name at the top to jump to the show page.
- Tap the star average, choose your star count, and submit.
What Ratings Do Behind The Scenes
Star scores feed two big loops. First, they help listeners make quick decisions on the show page. Next, they fold into discovery signals, sitting alongside follows, plays, and completion rates. That mix powers charts and recommendations. It’s not the only input, but it matters for first impressions.
Want a deeper read on how the star system came to the app? See Spotify’s own feature announcement, which explains the 1–5 scale and the public average shown on the show page. Star ratings for podcasts.
Can You Write A Text Review?
No—text comments aren’t part of the rating feature. Longform feedback lives in places like Apple Podcasts or on a show’s social channels. On Spotify, your tools are the star rater and any episode-level Q&A or polls the host enables. That keeps the show page clean and the signal focused.
Quick Reality Check: What’s Possible Today
Before you tap around for ten minutes, use this chart to see what’s supported across the app right now.
| Action | Supported? | Where It Lives |
|---|---|---|
| Leave a star rating (1–5) | Yes | Show page under the description; some menus include “Rate show.” |
| Write a text review | No | Not offered in the app; use a show’s socials or site if needed. |
| Reply to host Q&A or polls | Yes | On the episode page when hosts enable those features. |
Make Your Feedback Count
Stars work best when they reflect a real listen. Stream at least a slice of an episode, then rate. If you want to nudge the average in a fair way, rate a few shows in the same category during the same session. That gives Spotify more context about your taste, which can sharpen recommendations for you and others.
Smart Ways To Share More Context
- Use Q&A: Many episodes include a prompt; keep replies short and specific.
- Tap Follow: Following a show helps discovery and keeps new episodes in your feed.
- Share An Episode: Copy the episode link with a timestamp when you post it.
If The Stars Don’t Show Up
Still not seeing a rater under the description? Move through this quick fix list:
- Update the app to the latest version.
- Switch from an episode page to the show page.
- Play at least 30–60 seconds of any episode.
- Sign out and back in to refresh your session.
- Reinstall if the UI looks stuck.
Spotify’s help threads confirm the exact placement: it sits beneath the show summary, and the “Rate show” menu item appears on many builds. If your region hasn’t received a UI change yet, mobile will usually get it first.
Where Ratings Fit With Charts And Discovery
Charts weigh listening behavior and engagement. Ratings add a quick social signal, but listens and follows move the needle far more. If you’re a host asking fans to help, pair the ask with “Follow” and a simple episode share—those actions support visibility across the app’s feeds and category charts.
If you’re curious about the nuts and bolts, Spotify’s creator docs outline how category charts base placement on listening behavior. You’ll also see retention stats and other listener trends in creator analytics, which gives teams a pulse on what content keeps ears through the end credits.
Safety And Quality Notes
Star ratings aren’t a place for abuse. If you run into content that breaks rules, every episode page includes a “Report” control in the three-dot menu. On desktop, right-click the episode and pick “Report.” Hosts moderate Q&A and polls as well, so low-value replies won’t stick around.
Fast Recap
You rate inside the show page, not on episode cards. Tap the star average under the description or use the “Rate show” menu item, pick 1–5, and submit. Text reviews don’t exist in Spotify’s rater, but Q&A and polls let you share a thought when hosts switch them on.