The Algorithm Age
Streaming platforms now control how most people discover music. This has fundamentally changed what music gets made, promoted, and heard.
How Discovery Algorithms Work
Platforms like Spotify use:
- Collaborative filtering: "Users like you also liked..."
- Content analysis: Audio features, tempo, key, energy
- Natural language processing: Reviews, articles, social media
- Engagement metrics: Skips, saves, playlist adds
Effects on Music Creation
Artists now optimize for algorithms:
1. Shorter Intros
- Songs must hook in 3-5 seconds
- Slow builds get skipped
- Instant gratification rewarded
2. Shorter Songs
- Average song length has dropped
- More songs = more streams = more revenue
- Albums have more tracks, each shorter
3. "Stream-Bait" Titles
- Generic titles match search queries
- "Chill," "Sad," "Happy" in titles
- Optimized for playlist placement
The Filter Bubble Problem
Algorithms can:
- Reinforce existing tastes
- Reduce exposure to new genres
- Create echo chambers
- Favor established artists
Winners and Losers
Benefits
- Independent artists can reach audiences
- Niche genres find their audiences
- Discovery without gatekeepers
Drawbacks
- Mid-tier artists struggle
- Album artistry devalued
- Homogenization of popular music
The Playlist Economy
Getting on major playlists can make careers. This creates:
- Payola-like dynamics
- Playlist curator influence
- "Playlist-ready" as a genre itself