Music streaming has revolutionized the music industry in the past decade. With so many newcomers and smaller artists easily picking up on how to upload music to Spotify, it has opened up opportunities for independent artists to hear their music from a wider audience.
However, with so many music streaming services available today, it can be difficult to decide which songs to upload. Let’s dive in and explore the music streaming wars and look at some great tips to remember while choosing which service to upload your songs to.
The Number of Users
First, think about how many users each streaming service has. Spotify is the largest music streaming service with hundreds of millions of paid subscribers.
Apple Music comes in second with over 60 million subscribers, followed by Amazon Music with over 55 million. Other notable services include Tidal, Deezer, and Pandora. The number of users each service has because it directly affects the potential audience that your music can reach.
The Payout Rate
Another factor to consider is the payout rates. Music streaming services pay artists per stream, but the payout rates vary. According to Digital Music News, Spotify pays an average of $0.0038 per stream, Apple Music pays an average of $0.007 per stream, and Amazon Music pays an average of $0.00402 per stream.
On the other hand, Tidal pays the highest average rate of $0.0125 per stream. While these differences may seem small, they can add up over time, especially if you have a large number of streams.
Discovery Features
Music discovery features are also important to consider when choosing a music streaming service. Spotify is known for its Discover Weekly and Release Radar playlists, which recommend new music to users based on their listening habits.
Apple Music has a similar feature called New Music Mix. Tidal, on the other hand, offers Tidal Rising, which features emerging artists. These features can expose your music to new listeners, potentially leading to more streams.
Promotional Opportunities
Music streaming services also offer different promotional opportunities. Spotify, for example, has its own playlist pitching tool that allows artists to submit their music to Spotify’s editorial team for consideration in the platform’s popular playlists.
Apple Music has a similar feature — Apple Music for Artists — that allows artists to upload their music, view performance metrics, and connect with fans. Amazon Music offers promotional tools such as Amazon Music for Artists and Amazon Music Unlimited promotion. It’s important to research each service’s promotional opportunities to see which align with your artistic goals.
User Experience
The user interface and user experience are also important factors to consider. Spotify and Apple Music are known for their intuitive interfaces and user-friendly experiences. Tidal is known for its high-quality audio and exclusive content.
Amazon Music is integrated with Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, which allows users to control their music with voice commands. Consider the user interface and experience because it affects how users interact with your music and how likely they are to continue streaming it.
Availability to Users
Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are available on most devices and platforms, like iOS, Android, and desktop.
However, Tidal is only available on certain platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop, as well as select smart TVs and speakers. It’s important to ensure that your music is available on the platforms that your potential audience is using.
Monthly Costs
Spotify offers a free, ad-supported option and a premium version for $9.99 monthly. Apple Music offers a free trial and a premium version for $9.99 monthly.
Amazon Music offers a free, ad-supported version for Amazon Prime members and a premium version for $9.99 monthly. Tidal has a free trial for 30 days, with premium subscriptions starting at $4.99 for students and $9.99 for everyone else.
An Important Impact on Your Career
Choosing the right music streaming service to upload your songs to can significantly impact your music career. When deciding, consider factors such as the number of users, payout rates, music discovery features, promotional opportunities, user interface and experience, availability on different platforms, and cost.
Each streaming service has its strengths and weaknesses, and what works for one artist may not work for another. Researching and choosing the service that aligns with your goals and values as an artist is important. With the right strategy and platform, music streaming can help you reach a wider audience, connect with fans, and build a successful music career.
