SoundCloud Buzzing Playlists

SoundCloud has created an exciting way for artists to get more visibility for their music with Buzzing Playlists. Updated weekly, these genre-specific playlists highlight tracks that have stood out through genuine fan engagement. In this blog post, you'll learn everything you need to know about buzzing playlists and how you can make it onto these coveted playlists as an artist.

What are buzzing playlists?

Buzzing Playlists are a feature introduced by SoundCloud that focuses on fan engagement. They include weekly updated music from different genres such as pop, hip hop, R&B and electronic music. The playlists have been specifically designed to provide a platform for up-and-coming artists and alert listeners to new, exciting music. What is special about this is that the selection of tracks is not random, but is made on the basis of fan engagement using the "First Fans" algorithm.

How inclusion in a Buzzing Playlist works

Inclusion in a Buzzing Playlist is a multi-stage process that ensures that only the most engaged tracks are selected:

1. Opt-in for artists
   To enter the selection process, artists must upload their track and opt-in to be analyzed by the First Fans algorithm. This is a crucial first step.
2. Analysis by the First Fans algorithm
   Once a track is uploaded and the opt-in is complete, the First Fans algorithm analyzes the track and recommends it to up to 100 listeners who are potential fans based on their listening habits.
3. Extending the reach
   If the track is well received by the first 100 listeners and engagement is high, the reach can be extended to up to 1,000 listeners. In this phase, the algorithm plays a crucial role in bringing the track to the right listeners.
4. Inclusion in the Buzzing Playlist
   Only the tracks with the highest fan engagement ultimately make it into the Buzzing Playlists. This ensures that only the best and most popular tracks are included, keeping the quality of the playlist high and giving the artists maximum exposure.

What does this mean for you as an artist?

Being included in a Buzzing Playlist can be a huge boost to your career. Not only will you reach more listeners with a placement in one of these playlists, but you'll also benefit from increased visibility within the SoundCloud community. As the playlists are based on real fan engagement, you have the opportunity to introduce your music to the people who are most likely to respond to it - a key advantage for growing your fanbase.

Tips for successful participation

• Encourage engagement: Make sure your fans actively interact with your music. This can be done through regular communication, social media promotion or exclusive previews.
• Release new music regularly: The more music you release, the higher the chances that one of your tracks will end up in the Buzzing Playlists.
• Maintain your profile: A well-maintained SoundCloud profile with professional artwork, clear track titles and regular updates increases your chances of getting noticed.

SoundCloud's Buzzing Playlists offer Next Pro artists a great opportunity to showcase their music based on fan engagement and attract new listeners. By automatically selecting tracks with high interaction, artists can be sure that their music will be presented to a wide and active audience. If you're a Next Pro artist, sign up for the opt-in process and increase your chances of appearing in one of these coveted playlists.

Ready to get your music in front of a wider audience? Use SoundCloud's Buzzing Playlists and take your career to the next level!