SoundCloud has launched a new initiative called ‘Buzzing Playlists’ to highlight up-and-coming artists and their music. These genre-specific playlists feature tracks from artists enrolled in SoundCloud’s Next Pro paid subscription program.
To curate the playlists, SoundCloud analyzes data signals such as repeat plays, playlist additions, likes, comments, and reposts. The playlists are updated weekly, providing a constantly refreshing selection of rising tracks.
In addition to Buzzing Playlists, SoundCloud has also expanded its ‘First Fans’ program, which recommends new tracks to listeners in autoplay mode. The platform uses machine learning to match users’ music preferences with potential discoveries. The program has analyzed over 3.5 million tracks since its launch in June 2023.
Artists participating in Next Pro have experienced a notable 400% increase in listeners attributed to the program’s features. SoundCloud notes that tracks featured in Buzzing Playlists have the potential to gain further visibility within the platform’s charts and editorial playlists based on their performance.
SoundCloud’s Buzzing Playlists are reminiscent of Spotify’s Discover Weekly playlists, which suggest unfamiliar music tailored to users’ listening history. However, Buzzing Playlists focus primarily on emerging artists, providing a platform for them to reach new audiences and gain recognition.
