New Spotify Artist Fundraising Pick Feature Allows Listeners to Pay Musicians Directly

The move comes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, Spotify introduced a new feature for artists using its platform. The new Artist Fundraising Pick feature allows fans to pay their favorite musicians directly.

After contributing to the CDC and the World Health Organization, the platform released a statement on the new initiative. Additionally, the platform established a $10 million matching fund through its COVID-19 Music Relief project.

READ: Spotify Asking Record Labels, Musicians to Pay the Platform For Advertising

"Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic," the statement reads, "Spotify has engaged our partners across the industry to discuss how we can support artists and the creative community who have been impacted by the effects of the devastating virus."

The news comes months after reports that the platform was considering a paid promotion plan for artists and record labels. Artists can also use the feature to fundraise for initiatives connected to helping displaced music industry workers. For example, EDM DJ Marshmello is using his badge to fundraise for the Recording Academy's MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

READ: Spotify Suspends Political Ads for 2020 Election

"We felt we could uniquely help," the company says in a statement, "by providing the global reach of Spotify to artists who are fundraising during this challenging time--to help them get the word out to fans, many of them whom visit them on Spotify every day."

The feature appears as a badge on participating artists' profiles. Fans can choose to donate through Cash App, PayPal, or GoFundMe.