Subscription services are taking a social approach to stand out in the crowded music streaming realm. iTunes’ attempted Ping, was not received too well, due to its lack of Facebook integration. However, the plethora of music-focused social networking services like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, ReverbNation, and others make it clear that the social evolution is here to stay. For instance Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio have accumulated over 200 million users collectively. In just over a year, the popularity of internet radio has exploded.
Their huge success is due mostly to their customizable stations, which give users the ability to hear exactly what they want to and block anything they don’t. And the social aspect of it is in the profiles. Whether paid members or not, users make profiles, connecting them with friends worldwide. Everything users listen to, like, and suggest is shared with their network of friends. Those with similar interest, who are not already connected, are suggested to one another by the sites and, to further expand the interaction, the services include integration with Facebook, Twitter, and several other networks. That way Facebook users who have never even tried Spotify will see posts in their newsfeed about how “Javon listened to Kanye West on Spotify”. These sites continue to expand, making millions and sending off the royalties to record companies.
