Comparing Music Streaming Platforms: Where Should You Focus?

Introduction

With so many music streaming platforms available today, it can be challenging for independent artists to know where to focus their promotional efforts. Each platform has its own unique audience, algorithms, and promotional opportunities. This guide will help you understand the key differences between major streaming services and decide where to invest your time and resources.

Spotify

Audience Size: 551 million monthly active users, 220 million paid subscribers

Royalty Rate: $0.003-$0.005 per stream (average)

Key Features for Artists:

• Spotify for Artists dashboard with detailed analytics
• Editorial playlist submission tool
• Canvas (looping video feature)
• Spotify Clips (short-form video)
• Artist fundraising pick

Best For: Building a sustainable fanbase, playlist placement, and detailed analytics

Promotion Tips:

• Submit new releases to editorial playlists 4 weeks in advance
• Create engaging Canvas videos to increase saves and shares
• Update your artist profile regularly with new photos and bio information
• Create and maintain your own playlists featuring your music alongside similar artists

Apple Music

Audience Size: Approximately 100 million subscribers

Royalty Rate: $0.007-$0.01 per stream (average)

Key Features for Artists:

• Apple Music for Artists dashboard
• Shazam integration
• Lyrics display
• Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio

Best For: Higher royalty rates, audiophile listeners, and iOS users

Promotion Tips:

• Ensure your music is available in Spatial Audio if possible
• Add complete and accurate lyrics to enhance listener experience
• Monitor Shazam data to identify geographic areas of interest
• Create Apple Music-specific links for promotion

Amazon Music

Audience Size: Approximately 75 million subscribers

Royalty Rate: $0.004-$0.007 per stream (average)

Key Features for Artists:

• Integration with Alexa devices
• HD and Ultra HD audio quality
• Amazon Music for Artists dashboard

Best For: Smart speaker integration and older demographic reach

Promotion Tips:

• Optimize your music for voice search with clear titles and artist names
• Create Alexa skills that feature your music
• Ensure your genre classifications are accurate

YouTube Music

Audience Size: Over 80 million subscribers (YouTube Premium/Music)

Royalty Rate: $0.002-$0.004 per stream (average)

Key Features for Artists:

• Integration with YouTube's massive video platform
• YouTube Studio analytics
• Community engagement features

Best For: Visual content integration and global reach

Promotion Tips:

• Create and upload high-quality music videos or visualizers
• Use YouTube Shorts to create short-form content featuring your music
• Engage with comments and build community
• Optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags for search

SoundCloud

Audience Size: 175 million monthly users

Royalty Rate: Varies by program (SoundCloud Premier, Repost, etc.)

Key Features for Artists:

• Direct fan engagement and comments
• SoundCloud for Artists dashboard
• Monetization options for independent artists
• Repost Network for distribution and promotion

Best For: Early career artists, direct fan interaction, and electronic/hip-hop genres

Promotion Tips:

• Join relevant groups and communities
• Engage with other artists through comments and reposts
• Use the direct messaging feature to connect with collaborators
• Consider SoundCloud Go+ to access additional promotional tools

Tidal

Audience Size: Approximately 5 million subscribers

Royalty Rate: $0.01-$0.013 per stream (highest in the industry)

Key Features for Artists:

• Hi-Fi and Master quality audio
• Artist-friendly royalty structure
• Direct-to-artist payments option

Best For: Audiophile-focused releases and higher per-stream payouts

Promotion Tips:

• Ensure your music is available in highest quality formats
• Target audiophile communities when promoting Tidal links
• Highlight sound quality in your promotional materials

Deezer

Audience Size: Approximately 16 million users

Royalty Rate: $0.004-$0.006 per stream (average)

Key Features for Artists:

• User-Centric Payment System (UCPS) pilot
• SongCatcher (similar to Shazam)
• Strong presence in Europe and Latin America

Best For: International reach, especially in Europe and Latin America

Promotion Tips:

• Create localized promotional campaigns for European markets
• Submit to Deezer's editorial team for playlist consideration
• Utilize Deezer's "Channels" feature for genre-specific promotion

Where Should You Focus?

While it's important to have your music available on all major platforms through a distributor like Dismusic, your promotional efforts should be strategic:

If you're just starting out:

• Focus on Spotify and SoundCloud for building initial fanbase
• Use YouTube to create visual content that can be shared across platforms
• Build a presence on the platform where your genre performs best

If you're looking to maximize revenue:

• Prioritize Apple Music and Tidal with their higher per-stream rates
• Consider exclusive content for platforms with better royalty structures
• Focus on building a loyal fanbase rather than just accumulating streams

If you're targeting international audiences:

• Research which platforms are popular in your target regions
• Consider Deezer for European markets
• Use YouTube for global reach
• Look into regional platforms like NetEase (China) or Boomplay (Africa)

Conclusion

The best approach is to make your music available everywhere while focusing your promotional efforts on 2-3 platforms where your target audience is most active. Monitor your analytics across platforms to see where your music resonates most, and adjust your strategy accordingly. Remember that building a sustainable career is about creating meaningful connections with fans, regardless of which platform they use to discover your music.