If you go to your YouTube homepage right now and scroll down, you might stumble upon a video that makes you wonder how the YouTube algorithm decides what to show you, especially when it seems unrelated to your usual content. Sometimes, the answer is nothing. Could be because a creator has uploaded new music videos that are designed to engage not only existing fans, but also to captivate potential new subscribers.
For musical artists, understanding how to get your music discovered on YouTube isn’t just about reaching people who already enjoy your genre—it’s about breaking into untapped markets on YouTube and across diverse music streaming services.
1. Understanding the YouTube Algorithm for Music Discovery
The YouTube algorithm is a powerful tool in the music promotion toolkit, designed to maximize viewer engagement—a key metric for artists aiming to extend their reach. It analyzes search and watch histories, along with engagement metrics like likes, comments, views, and playback duration. This data helps predict which new releases might appeal to individual users, including those who might never have encountered your genre before.
To tap into this, artists should consider uploading content that aligns with the interests shown in user behaviors across various platforms—not just YouTube, but also on major music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. High engagement rates can help promote your music to broader audiences, increasing your chances of reaching fresh eyes (and while you’re at it, earning higher royalties through increased streams and downloads).
2. Optimizing Video SEO for Broader Reach
Optimizing each element of your video content is crucial. This includes ensuring high production value, clear audio, and engaging visuals that meet the high standards of popular music platforms. High-quality video uploads convey professionalism, setting you apart on YouTube and other music services like Google Play Music and iTunes.
Your video titles, descriptions, and tags should grab attention and accurately reflect the content. Putting in relevant keywords and hashtags for your genre helps improve how algorithms understand and categorize your content, enhancing your visibility across various music streaming apps.
3. Boosting Viewer Engagement
Viewer engagement is crucial for the YouTube algorithm. Encourage viewers to subscribe to your YouTube channel, comment on your videos, and share your tracks across social media and online music platforms. These interactions are significant metrics for YouTube’s algorithm. They tell it that your content is valuable and should be recommended to others.
Creating content that engages viewers not only keeps them watching, but also builds a community around your music, increasing the likelihood of your tracks being featured on curated playlists and recommended sections of streaming services. Plus, there’s no marketing technique with a higher success rate than word of mouth. This community-building is essential for indie artists looking to expand their listener base.
4. Strategic Release Timing
The timing of your video releases can significantly affect their initial impact. Posting during peak user activity times maximizes exposure and engagement, essential for artists distributing music globally. This strategy is crucial for artists on music distribution services like Tunecore or CD Baby, as aligning your releases with viewer habits can enhance your music’s visibility.
You might also consider time zones here. If you sing in Japanese, for example, don’t release your video from Europe while it’s the middle of the night in Japan. If you’re reading this article though, there’s a good chance you sing in English, and your target audience are English speakers. You have a few choices here: if you’re looking for more fans specifically in Australia, try posting when they’re up and online. If you just want more viewers no matter the location, you might try posting when it’s daytime in the US and Canada to roll the dice with the bigger population numbers.
For musicians, considering when your audience is most active online helps tailor your release schedule effectively, potentially increasing your overall impact in the music industry. Using tools like YouTube Analytics to gain insights into viewer preferences is invaluable for planning your music marketing and promotion strategies.
5. YouTube Shorts: A New Avenue for Music Promotion
YouTube Shorts is rapidly becoming an essential platform for musicians to promote their music and engage with a global audience. Since their rollout in 2020-2021, they’ve changed the conversation around how to get your music discovered on YouTube. This feature allows artists to create short, engaging videos that are perfect for showcasing snippets of new releases or highlighting catchy hooks that encourage viewers to listen to the full song. Using YouTube Shorts effectively can help artists reach new listeners who prefer quick and entertaining content.
By posting music from their existing catalog or new releases, artists can drive traffic back to their main YouTube channel or music streaming services like Spotify or Tidal. Additionally, YouTube Shorts offers a unique opportunity to distribute music in a format that’s optimized for viral growth, thanks to its algorithm that promotes content that achieves quick, high engagement, helping artists to rapidly expand their fanbases and enhance their music’s online presence.
6. The Little-Known Technique of Networking
Another technique (super secret, no one has eeeever heard of it before) is connecting with influencers, playlist curators, record labels, radio stations, and music bloggers who are keen on discovering new talent. Getting a direct line to music professionals not only helps artists get constructive feedback on their tracks, but also increases their chances of securing collabs and gigs. In turn, this helps artists to both post videos more optimized to succeed on YouTube and to be featured in more places, driving more traffic to their channels.
On a platform like Groover, artists can send their songs to selected industry pros, ensuring that their music is heard by relevant parties who can provide valuable insights and exposure.
Additionally, Groover guarantees that artists will receive feedback, which can be instrumental for indie music creators looking to refine their sound or explore new genres. This approach not only democratizes access to high-level music promotion, but also enhances digital music distribution by connecting creators with major players who can help them make better stuff.
Whether it’s getting featured on prominent music blogs, scoring airplay on internet radio, or lining up a music streaming service playlist placement, networking offers a pathway for artists to amplify their reach and impact within the music industry.
Conclusion
Mastering YouTube’s features and strategically engaging with its algorithm are vital steps for any artist looking to grow their audience and reach new fans. Take hold of the platform to not only stream and sell your music but, also to connect with a broader audience effectively. Remember though, while it’s crucial to optimize for digital distribution and music streaming services, maintaining the authenticity of your musical expression is key to genuinely connecting with your audience and enhancing your music career.
Embrace these strategies as tools to amplify your reach and influence, ensuring your unique artistic voice remains at the forefront of your online presence. Whether it’s through engaging music videos, strategic content creation, or savvy marketing tactics, the goal is to make your music accessible to the millions of music lovers out there, helping you to build a lasting career in the ever-evolving music business.
—
Send your music to curators and pros of the music industry ⬇️
