The sound of Apple Music a deep dive into streamings giant

The sound of Apple Music: a deep dive into promotional opportunities

In the ever-evolving world of music streaming, one name has been making waves since its inception: Apple Music. Launched in 2015, it has quickly become a major player in the industry, offering millions of tracks, curated playlists, and exclusive content to its subscribers. In this blog, we’ll explore the journey of Apple Music, its royalty pay-outs, its position in the market compared to Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, its promotional opportunities for independent artists, and the downsides it faces in comparison to other streaming platforms.

The evolution of Apple Music

Apple Music was unveiled to the world on June 30, 2015, marking Apple’s foray into the music streaming arena. While Apple already had iTunes, a digital download platform, it recognized the growing demand for subscription-based streaming services and sought to compete with established players like Spotify.

Key facts of Apple Music

Extensive music library

One of Apple Music’s primary strengths is its vast music library, boasting over 100 million tracks. This extensive catalogue ensures subscribers access to a wide range of songs, albums, and genres, including exclusive releases and live performances.

Human-curated playlists

Apple Music distinguishes itself through its meticulously curated playlists. The service employs expert editors and algorithms to craft playlists tailored to individual user preferences, enhancing music discovery.

Apple Music 1 radio

Apple Music 1, formally known as Beats 1, is a 24/7 global radio station featuring celebrity DJs and exclusive interviews. This unique feature provides an interactive and community-driven music experience.

Exclusive content

Apple Music has secured exclusive releases and content from artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Beyoncé, making it an attractive choice for fans seeking early access to new music.

Royalty pay-outs on Apple Music

Royalty payments are a crucial aspect of any streaming platform, determining how much artists and rights holders earn from their music. Apple Music operates on a subscription-based model, and its royalty payouts are influenced by various factors:

Per-stream model

Apple Music, like its competitors, uses a per-stream model to calculate royalty payouts. This means that artists and rights holders receive a certain amount for each stream of their songs.

Higher payouts

In general, Apple Music has been reported to pay slightly higher per-stream royalties compared to Spotify. However, it’s essential to note that these payouts can vary depending on the user’s location, subscription type, and other factors.

How much do streaming portals DSPs pay per stream

Equal pay for trial periods

Apple Music made headlines when it announced that it would pay artists during the free trial period offered to new subscribers. This demonstrated Apple’s commitment to supporting musicians and creators.

Kwettr delivers music to iTunes and Apple Music and reports sales and streams on a monthly basis. Kwettr also offers promotional opportunities for marketing music on Apple Music.

Apple Music vs. the competition

Apple Music faces stiff competition in the music streaming market, primarily from Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Let’s examine how it stacks up against these giants.

Apple Music vs. Spotify

Apple Music and Spotify are two of the most prominent players in the streaming industry. While they offer similar features, there are some distinctions:

Exclusives: Apple Music boasts exclusive content, while Spotify focuses on playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar for music discovery.
Integration: Apple Music seamlessly integrates with the Apple ecosystem, appealing to users who already use Apple devices.
Free tier: Spotify offers a free, ad-supported tier, whereas Apple Music offers only a paid subscription model.

Apple Music vs. Amazon Music

Amazon Music competes with Apple Music on various fronts:

Alexa integration: Amazon Music integrates seamlessly with Amazon Echo devices, making voice-controlled music playback easy.
Library size: Apple Music has a slightly larger music library, but Amazon Music offers a wide variety of music, including exclusive content.
Prime membership: Amazon Music offers a limited selection of songs to Amazon Prime members at no extra cost, providing a budget-friendly option.

Apple Music vs. YouTube Music

YouTube Music is YouTube’s dedicated music streaming service and presents some unique features:

Video integration: YouTube Music combines audio tracks with music videos, catering to users who enjoy both audio and visual experiences.
User-generated content: YouTube Music incorporates user-generated content, allowing artists to reach fans through covers, remixes, and fan uploads.
Free tier: Like Spotify, YouTube Music offers a free, ad-supported tier in addition to its premium subscription.

Apple Music Marketing: promotional opportunities for independent artists

Apple Music recognizes the importance of supporting an independent artist and offers various promotional opportunities:

Apple Music for Artists

An independent artist can access the “Apple Music for Artists” platform, which provides analytics, insights, and tools to track their music’s performance and reach.

Playlists and radio

Independent artists have the chance to submit their music for inclusion in Apple Music playlists and radio shows. Getting featured can significantly boost exposure and streams.

Editorial support

Apple Music’s editorial team curates playlists and promotes emerging artists. Independent musicians can benefit from this support, gaining visibility on a global platform. Kwettr offers Apple Music Marketing, we send priority requests to the editorial team on a weekly basis.

Downsides of Apple Music compared to Spotify and other streaming platforms

While Apple Music has made significant strides, it still faces certain downsides when compared to its competitors:

Limited free tier

Unlike Spotify and YouTube Music, Apple Music does not offer a free, ad-supported tier, which may deter potential users who prefer not to pay for streaming.

Platform exclusivity

While exclusive content can be appealing, it can also be frustrating for users who prefer not to be tied to a specific platform.

Personalization

Some users find Spotify’s music discovery features, such as personalized playlists like Discover Weekly, to be more effective in introducing them to new music.

Device compatibility

Although Apple Music integrates seamlessly with Apple devices, it may not be as user-friendly for those using non-Apple devices.

Conclusion

Apple Music has firmly established itself as a major player in the music streaming industry, offering a vast music library, expert curation, and exclusive content. It competes head-to-head with Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses.

For independent artists, Apple Music provides valuable promotional opportunities and tools to monitor their music’s performance. However, it’s essential to weigh the platform’s limitations, such as the absence of a free tier, against its benefits.

Ultimately, the choice between Apple Music and its competitors depends on individual preferences, including device compatibility, music discovery, and subscription model. As the music streaming landscape continues to evolve, Apple Music will likely remain a significant player, shaping the future of how we enjoy and discover music.