The use of social media has expanded dramatically over the last few decades, to the point where we now LIVE IN it. It has transformed the way we communicate, share stories, and information, and has had a big impact on practically every industry, with music being one of the most affected. In this article, we will dig deeper into the impact of social media on music discovery.

Social Media Role in Transforming Music Discovery

Social Media as a Game-Changer in Music Discovery

The music discovery on social media was discussed in a recently published article under the name: “Music Is Just Right There on Social Media!: Discovering, Exploring, and Incorporating Songs Across Platforms. It investigated specific ways of relating to music across social media platforms and how people interact with music on social media platforms across diverse applications and devices. It discussed that music has become a significant component of stories, shorts, reels, videos, pins, photos and ordinary posts. For example, TikTok’s collaboration with Billboard to establish a “Top 50” chart in September 2023 evidenced not only the app's pivotal role in music consumption but also the increasing significance of music in the design of social media.

The study shared the results of an interview aimed to explore the ways of relating to music on social media: discovering songs, exploring them and incorporating them into the temporal and spatial flows of everyday life. Here is one of the interviews answers: 

“I was scrolling down content on TikTok. And then the song came out, and then it came out again, and then it came out again! This made me say “What’s up with this song?” Because you do so many things at once while scrolling down automatically, you don’t really pay attention to things until they come out again. Then, you realize that you’ve heard it before. Things click and you become more aware of songs.”

Moreover, people are increasingly aware of how algorithms influence their music discovery.

“I am aware of the algorithm. If I discover music on a reel or TikTok, I go and look it up on YouTube to listen to it in full. I know YouTube will give me at least one or two similar recommendations, which I could explore more. It helps me discover things.”

Artists and Audience Connection

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram allowed artists to share behind-the-scenes content, engage directly with fans and sometimes even release new music or promote a music event, which makes the fans more enthusiastic about what’s coming. These platforms made it possible for artists to collaborate with each other, fostering creativity and innovation.

Moreover, social media enabled artists to show their personal life, personalities and day-by-day stories, leading to a stronger connection with their fans. This has become very important in the music industry, since fans tend to support artists or musicians who they have a personal 

Cultural and Global Impact

Social media has played an important role in the revival of old music. Platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have become hubs for musicians to share their music. Furthermore, online forums and social media groups dedicated to folk music have created a feeling of community among fans and musicians, allowing for conversations, collaborations, and memories and music sharing.

Furthermore, social media connects people across distances and time, enabling them to find like-minded communities and participate creatively in public life like never before. It fosters interconnectedness and highlights the interdependence of our culturally diverse world. Since music is a fundamental aspect of culture, social media plays a pivotal role in amplifying its global impact and facilitating the discovery of new sounds and artists.

To Sum It Up

Social media has transformed how we discover music. It is right there, where we spend most of our time on different platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. It enables listeners to discover new tunes while also allowing artists to interact directly with their followers. This connection promotes creativity and innovation. More than that, social media revives forgotten recordings and connects cultures, allowing some music to come back to life and span boundaries and generations. Its impact is not only technological, but also deeply cultural, making it an essential component of the modern music experience.