Playlists and your library on Nova: save, organise and share
How to like songs, build your own playlists and keep a tidy library on Nova, plus practical tips for organising music by mood, activity and time of day.
Your library on Nova is where the songs you like are kept, and playlists are lists you create and fill yourself. To build them, like a song to save it to your library, create a playlist with a clear name, then add songs to it from anywhere in the app. Both follow your account, so they are the same on the web, iPhone, iPad and Android. This guide explains how each works and how to keep them useful as they grow.
What is the difference between my library and a playlist?
Think of the library as a shelf and a playlist as a set list. The library collects everything you have liked, in one place, with no particular order. A playlist is a deliberate selection for a purpose: a morning run, a quiet dinner, an afternoon of focused work. Most people use both. They like songs freely as they discover them, then pick from the library when they build a playlist.
How do I save songs to my library?
When you hear a song you like, mark it as liked. It appears in your library straight away. You can like songs while browsing, while a playlist is playing or while you search. Liking a song does not change anything for anyone else; it simply helps you find it again.
A useful habit is to like generously and tidy occasionally. It is easier to remove a few songs later than to remember the name of a track you heard once on the radio.
How do I create a playlist?
- Choose to create a new playlist and give it a name.
- Find a song you want in it, from search, a genre page, an album or your library.
- Add the song to your playlist.
- Repeat until the list feels right, then play it from the start.
Names matter more than they seem. A name like "Sunday cooking" or "Late-night reading" tells you what a list is for, which makes it more likely you will reach for it.
Where do good songs for a playlist come from?
- Genres and moods. Each track on Nova is analysed for genre, mood and instruments. Browsing genres and moods, such as jazz, is a quick way to gather songs that sit well together.
- Public playlists. Around 30 ready-made public playlists are a good source of ideas. Play one, and add the tracks you like most to your own list.
- Albums. Listening to a full album often reveals a track that is perfect for a list you are building.
- Radio. Stations introduce you to songs you would not have searched for. If one stands out, like it and add it later.
How many songs should a playlist have?
There is no single right number, but a few rough guides help. For a specific activity, such as a workout or a commute, 15 to 30 songs is usually enough to avoid repetition without the list losing its character. For long background listening, a longer list of 50 songs or more means you will not hear the same track twice in an afternoon. If a list starts to feel unfocused, split it in two.
Organising your playlists
As your collection grows, a little structure saves time. Some approaches that work well:
| Approach | Example lists | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| By mood | Calm, Bright, Reflective | Matching how you feel |
| By activity | Focus, Running, Cooking | Routines you repeat |
| By time of day | Morning, Afternoon, Evening | Background listening at home |
| By sound | Piano, Strings, Guitar | Exploring instruments you love |
You do not need to choose one system. Many listeners keep a few mood lists and a few activity lists side by side.
Sharing playlists
Every playlist has a share link. When a friend opens it, it takes them to the playlist in Nova. If they are not signed in on the website, they can still hear a 30-second preview of each song before creating their own free account.
Playlists across devices
Your library and playlists are stored with your account, not on a single phone. Build a list in the web app on your computer and it will be on your phone when you leave the house. Changes you make in one place appear in the others.
Playlists for a business
Personal playlists are for personal listening. If you want to play a list in a café, shop or office, you need Nova Business, which includes the licence to play Nova music in public. Nova Business has business playlists curated by Nova, and you can also build and keep your own lists for the venue. Our guide to setting up Nova Business explains how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Are my playlists the same on my phone and computer? Yes. Playlists and your library belong to your account, so they appear on the web app, iPhone, iPad and Android.
Can I add the same song to more than one playlist? Yes. A song can sit in as many of your playlists as you like.
Can other people listen to my playlist? You can share a playlist with a link. People who open it can hear previews on the website, and full songs in Nova with a free account.
