Revolutionizing Music Discovery: SoundCloud's New TikTok-Inspired Feed

In a groundbreaking move, SoundCloud has announced the launch of its TikTok-inspired discovery feed, offering a dynamic and engaging music exploration experience. This innovative feature, initially tested in March, is set to roll out to all iOS and Android users in the coming days.

Embracing the TikTok Vibe

The revamped SoundCloud app introduces a unique twist to music discovery with its vertical scrolling feed, reminiscent of the popular TikTok format. Users can now enjoy short clips from various songs, facilitating quick and enticing snippets of musical delights. This new approach aims to captivate listeners from the get-go.

Sample Before You Dive In

SoundCloud's updated platform empowers users to sample a 30-second snippet of any track before committing to the full experience. By simply tapping the play button during the preview, listeners can seamlessly transition to the entire song, ensuring they make the right musical choice.

AI-Powered Song Highlights

Artists can curate their own 30-second highlights, but SoundCloud takes it a step further with the integration of Musiio's AI technology. Acquired in 2022, Musiio's AI automatically selects the most captivating 30 seconds from each track, enhancing the overall music discovery journey. This intelligent feature ensures that users are presented with the cream of the crop.

Streamlined User Interface

The new discovery feed UI isn't just about sampling music; it also offers convenient shortcuts for users. Now, adding a song to a playlist or library, or simply liking a track to revisit later, is just a tap away. SoundCloud's focus on user experience shines through these thoughtful design enhancements.

Old Meets New

For users who prefer the traditional following feed, SoundCloud still caters to your needs. The "Following" tab at the top of the screen provides access to tracks published by artists you follow, ensuring you don't miss out on their latest creations.

A Trend in the Industry

SoundCloud is not alone in embracing this vertical feed trend. In March, Spotify made a similar announcement, offering short previews for both music and podcasts. ByteDance's TikTok Music and Resso also rely on vertical feeds for music discovery. These industry giants recognize the allure of this format for engaging audiences.

SoundCloud's Impressive Repository

SoundCloud boasts an extensive library of over 320 million tracks from 40 million creators, making it a veritable treasure trove for music enthusiasts. While specific user statistics remain undisclosed, a blog post earlier this year hinted at a staggering 130 million "engaged fans." SoundCloud continues to be a powerhouse in the music streaming landscape.

Empowering Artists

SoundCloud's commitment to artists' success is evident through various initiatives. In May, it introduced a suite of engagement tools, offering analytics and the ability to directly message fans. In June, the company initiated testing for "First Fans," a feature designed to kickstart a new track's popularity by recommending it to users with matching tastes.

In a recent interview with Music Business Worldwide, Emily Lovell, the head of music at SoundCloud, revealed that more than 500,000 artists are now part of SoundCloud's fan-powered royalty program, launched in 2021. This innovative project distributes ad revenue or subscription earnings to artists based on who their listeners are, rather than a traditional pro-rata model that merely counts overall streams. It's a bold move to ensure artists receive the recognition and rewards they deserve.

In conclusion, SoundCloud's TikTok-inspired discovery feed represents a significant step forward in the world of music streaming. By embracing cutting-edge technology and user-centric design, SoundCloud continues to cement its position as a leader in the industry. Music lovers and artists alike have much to celebrate with this exciting development. Stay tuned for an unparalleled music discovery experience!