Overview
Over the years, we have been able to witness the rise of TikTok and its use of Music discovery within users FYP feed, this trend has completely changed how people discover new songs. Instead of the traditional ways of relying on radio or curated playlists, audiences now discover music through short-form videos that appear on their personalised For You Page (FYP). Every time a user stops scrolling to simply watch a catchy clip, the algorithm learns of this and fine tunes what kind of sound to show next. This process forms the core of the TikTok music discovery FYP, where engagement data replaces the traditional promotion.
Where Music Stands Today
Nowadays music artists, this shift means success is no longer tied to just labels or marketing budgets, independent musicians can now reach millions by sharing a single 10 second hook. Many write songs with the soul intention of having an intro that instantly grab the attention of listeners, knowing the TikTok music discovery FYP algorithm rewards clips that generate replays, saves and shares. When a snipped connects, it spreads fast, turning unknown creators into overnight viral sensations with just a click of button
Labels have seen to also adapt with this shifting movement of music promotion, instead of spending heavily on radio or TV campaigns, they often wait to see which tracks gain traction on the TikTok music discovery FYP before investing full scale into promotion to said artists. This data-driven approach reduces risk and highlights genuine audience interest. The algorithm effectively acts as filter for potential new hits, guiding how resources are now spent.
Listeners play the essential role into how promotion is adapted to fit the moving trends of modern-day society, when they use trending audio to make their own videos, they simply amplify the TikTok music discovery FYP effect. The more content linked to a sound, the more visibility that track receives. Soon, it moves from TikTok to Spotify, Apple music, and beyond.
To summarise, this new system, music discovery feels fast, personal, and interactive. Anyone with a smartphone or tablet can join the TikTok music discovery FYP community, post a clip, and potentially shape what the world collectively listens to next. The platform turned passives listens to into active participants, making short form videos the most powerful discovery tool in modern-day music marketing.
References
Ivo. (2021, February). How TikTok is Changing the Music Industry? Stereofox Music Blog. https://www.stereofox.com/resources/how-tiktok-is-changing-the-music-industry/#
Radovanović, B. (2022). TikTok and Sound: Changing the Ways of Creating, Promoting, Distributing and Listening to Music. INSAM Journal of Contemporary Music, Art and Technology, 9(9), 51–73. https://doi.org/10.51191/issn.2637-1898.2022.5.9.51
Whateley, D. (2023, August 23). How TikTok is changing the music industry and the way we discover new, popular songs. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-tiktok-is-changing-music-industry