Image from houstonpress.com - click to learn 5 reasons not to use IE... beyond that it simply sucks.
After receiving and answering what seems like hundreds of questions that are similar to Kristi's below, I'm offering a radical solution that I feel will dramatically improve your experience using Spotify.
Hi John! Thank you for your quick response…I”™m just now finding time to get back to my “spotify training” 🙂
When I click on the first link in your email below, an Internet Explorer dialog box opens and asks if I want to allow the application to open, to which I click on Allow (I”™ve also tried clicking on Cancel, and have the same result). Then an error dialog box opens that says : “spotify: user:johnmac11:playlist: {followed by lots of letters and numbers}. Unspecified error” and then another error dialog box opens that says: “Unable to open this helper application for spotify: user:johnmac11:playlist: {followed by lots of letters and numbers}. The protocol specified in this address is not valid. Make sure the address is correct, and try again.”
When I clicked on the second link in your email, the playlist actually opened in spotify!
I”™ve never been able to open the link from the ICI/PRO website. I thought it wouldn”™t work because I didn”™t have the premium spotify account, but now I have a premium account so I know that”™s not the issue.
Thank you for your help!!
Kristi
Dump IE (Internet Explorer)
That's it. That's my radical solution.
IMO: IE is vastly inferior to Google's Chrome or Mozilla's Firefox Internet browsers for PC users and the root of many of the problems Kristi describes above. Those links take you to where you can download either (or both) on to your machine.
I primarily use Chrome and never experience any problems opening the links to Spotify playlists. Amy has used Firefox for years (before Chrome existed) and there's no reason for her to switch.
IE comes with any new PC and I've talked with a number of Instructors who were under the impression that they needed to use IE - not true!
BUT WHAT ABOUT ALL MY FAVORITES AND SAVED PASSWORDS JOHN?
Not to worry. Once either has been installed, both will ask you if you want to import all of your IE settings > you'll say yes and that should end your relationship with IE > which will bring a big smile to my face 🙂
Sure it may take you a little while to get used to a new browser, but it will be worth it.
DO IT NOW! If not for yourself... then do it for me. Download and install Google's Chrome or Mozilla's Firefox today.
If you are a Mac user I would encourage you to try either browser as an alternative to Safari - although Mac users report that they are very satisfied with Safari. One advantage to using Chrome - If you are a big user of Google's suite of products like Gmail, Google Docs or Google+, Chrome ties very tightly together with their other software.
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
- Stop the Talkers – Step Three… Let's Fix This Today! - April 19, 2025
- What a difference correct mic settings make - April 16, 2025
- ICI/PRO Podcast 248 – Going The Distance Audio PROfile With Chris Neilsen - April 13, 2025
Sometimes it isn’t IE though. If you are running Windows Defender or a firewall, it could be that preventing your applications from launching one another. That is the case for me. To open the links from ICI, I right-click the spotify link, and choose “Copy Shortcut.” Then, in Spotify, I paste the shortcut, hit return then Voila! Fabulous tunes for my listening pleasure.
🙂
That’s interesting Krista. I’m running windows defender (it’s all I use – I’m not completely against Microsoft, just IE) and haven’t had any problems.
Your solution to copy and paste is a good one.
I love the Spotify crisis page weekly. I have been using it for several months and I do not feel like I have even scratched the surface. I have picked up on lots of things by accident and scrolling around but I wanted to ask you –besides following a particular person or place, are there play lists available for Spinning classes? I have also noticed that certain artist are not available , like the Beatles. Is that a copy write thing or am I doing something wrong? Thanks, Dan
Drumroll please….I downloaded Google Chrome, and the PRO playlist opened in Spotify quickly and easily 🙂 So now, with Spotify (and the assistance of Google Chrome) I have a playlist ready for my class in just a couple of minutes, instead of the HOURS I used to spend with itunes!! Thank you John!!!
You are very welcome Kristi.
Dan I think missing artists and or specific albums/songs are becasue of licensing issues. I’m guessing that they will all be avalible over time.
Hey John! This is great. Is it possible to create a playlist on Spotify and import to an ipod? The app that I found on-line only works with apple products. Any ideas? 🙁
Valerie to use Spotify music on a portable device you need a wireless enabled device like an iPod Touch, iPhone or Android phone, their App and a premium account.
There is no option to use Spotify with a regular iPod or MP3 player.
Just in case you or others aren’t aware of this –
First time users take note: You don’t want to use Spotify as a replacement for iTunes!!!! At no time will iPhone/iPod Touch users transfer music using the cord that connects your iPhone to your computer… even though Spotify shows an option to use a cord to connect — don’t use it. Spotify will only transfer music using your wireless network.
There are a bunch of articles here if you haven’t seen them:
https://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/spotify/