TikTok has been improving the way music is discovered, used, and consumed on its platform . Today, the Bytedance-owned app announced a new music search feature called “ NewMusic .” Users can use it to find new tracks, while artists can use it to promote themselves.
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To find new music tracks that are in the “NewMusic” category, type the word “NewMusic” in the search field and from there you can click on the center and hashtags that correspond to that category.
To put it simply, TikTok is providing a new experience for discovering and exploring new songs. Initially, the experience starts with the endorsement of major artists and then builds on the platform’s users, including the Jonas Brothers and Miguel.
However, TikTok reported that the NewMusic hashtag had already garnered 18 billion views before today's launch, suggesting it's not something that was created out of thin air.
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TikTok's musical roots lie in the DNA of the app, which was originally called Musical.ly . It focused on user -created videos , mostly teenagers and younger users, that synced their voices to various songs.
Musical.ly was eventually merged into TikTok after Bytedance acquired it, reportedly for $1 billion, and then, bolstered by a successful recommendation algorithm and a variety of creative variations on the idea from users themselves, it evolved into what we know today.
But looking at exactly how music is discovered and consumed today, the company clearly sees huge opportunities for itself as a marketing vehicle and more, as it has witnessed its standalone distribution service SoundOn being built and launched in multiple markets, including major ones like the US.
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TikTok is a destination for artists looking to showcase their new work and for music lovers looking to discover new music. This new feature gives artists a new way to connect with our global community. What we’re offering is an opportunity to encourage artist creativity, build connections , and shape a diverse music landscape that encompasses the talents and passions of artists and fans around the world.
