How To Build Algorthmic Connections To Your Music
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Have you ever looked at another musician and thought, “I make better music than them!” yet they’re growing faster than you? It probably makes you feel terrible. But, in my experience, many of you are making great music and are also good at creating TikToks or Reels. Still, you find yourself in algorithmic jail. This is likely because you’re playing a game that you don’t understand. How can you win a game when you don’t know the rules? These rules revolve around how algorithms work. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be some Neo-like, Matrix-seeing nerd to get it. It’s actually shockingly easy to understand how it all works. Even a musician who makes country rap could grasp it.
In this guide, I will show you how to make connections to other artists so that algorithms start recommending you on Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. This way, you can figure out what you’re messing up and let the algorithm help grow your music.
Understanding Algorithms
Algorithms are easier to understand than you might think. They use two primary methods to recommend you: user modeling and music genomes.
User Modeling
User modeling is straightforward. These algorithms create profiles of platform users and their interests. Let’s say you follow ten artists. The algorithm finds people who also follow those ten artists and suggests other artists that those people follow to you, and vice versa. It’s a bit more sophisticated than that, but we’ll get into the details later.
Music Genomes
Music genomes analyze your song for sound and then rate it on various markers. This helps match your music to people’s moods and refines recommendations. For example, you wouldn’t want an upbeat dance party to suddenly play a somber song about death. The genome system ensures that songs with the right mood and energy levels are played together, creating a better user experience.
The Problem with Algorithmic Jail
When you’re in algorithmic jail, it’s because the algorithm has no clue who to serve your music to. You might be blaming the algorithm, but have you considered that you’re not giving it any good hints? Using generic hashtags like #bestnewmusic or #musicvideo doesn’t help. The algorithm needs specific, relevant connections to figure out where to place your music.
Making Connections
To win this game, you need to make connections. Algorithms model behavior based on user connections to artists. If you listen to Playboi Carti, for example, the algorithm will recommend other artists that fans of Playboi Carti also listen to. Platforms constantly track these connections, and the more connections you have, the more you get recommended.
Steps to Building Algorithmic Connections
Connect with Smaller Artists
Start by connecting with smaller artists in your community. This increases your chances of being recommended. You’re not likely to get connected to Playboi Carti unless you really pop off, but you can connect with growing artists around your size.
Engage on Social Media
Find hashtags on TikTok where you see artists with fans who would love your music. Interact within these hashtags by following artists and creators who post regularly. Post comments and video replies. As long as your videos aren’t trash, you’ll start getting into the algorithm.
Use Earworm Videos
Create videos with your song’s earworm to get into the feed of people who like your music. These listeners will head to Spotify, listen to you, and connect you to the best possible music fans, those who are already jumping over from TikTok.
The Power of Cloud Bombing
What is Cloud Bombing?
Cloud bombing is when you see a bunch of famous people or musicians all taking a picture together. This is effective because fans tag everyone in the picture, deepening algorithmic connections and often creating a critical mass of new followers for everyone involved.
How It Works
When platforms see a spike in new connections, they suggest users follow whoever is spiking in those connections. This creates a network effect where everyone’s growth benefits everyone else involved.
The Importance of Recency
Recency matters in building connections. It’s not just about who you connected with in the past but also about who you’re connecting with regularly. This helps maintain your visibility and recommendation rates.
Sustained Promotion and Collaboration
Consistent Effort
Artists who consistently promote their music and collaborate with others grow faster. When you’re connected to artists who grow, you get recommended as they grow, and vice versa.
Features, Collaborations, and Remixes
One of the biggest music marketing opportunities today is doing features, collaborations, remixes, and split releases. These tie you to the artists you collaborate with, helping you grow algorithmically on various platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, and TikTok.
Understanding Music Genomes
What Are Music Genomes?
Music genomes are sophisticated markers used by platforms to recommend songs that fit a certain mood or style. They help ensure that playlists maintain a consistent vibe.
Analyzing Your Song
You can use sites like MusicStax to see how Spotify’s algorithm rates your song on various markers like danceability or instrumentalness. This data helps the algorithm place your song in the right playlists and recommendations.
The Compounding Effect
When you set up good algorithmic connections, you start to see a compounding effect. For example, if you’re on tour and collaborate with another artist, fans tagging both of you together helps the algorithm recommend you more. As you get new fans, they bring their pre-established connections, increasing your recommendations further.
Engaging with Communities
Building Stronger Bonds
Find artists similar in size or slightly bigger and connect with them. Engage with their communities by commenting, sharing, and collaborating. This teaches the algorithm that you belong in that community.
Specific Actions
Follow artists on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms. Engage with their content and use similar hashtags. This helps you get shown to their fans and builds stronger algorithmic connections.
How to Do This Daily
Identifying Your Micro-Genre
First, figure out your micro-genre and niche. Knowing this helps you target the right audience and make effective connections.
Using Tools
Use tools like spreadsheets to track and manage your connections. Follow artists, engage with their content, and collaborate whenever possible.
Staying Consistent
Regularly engage with your community and create content that ties you to other artists. This continuous effort ensures you remain visible and get recommended more frequently.
The Role of Short-Form Content
TikTok and Instagram Reels
Short-form content is powerful for building connections. Regularly creating and engaging with short-form videos helps you stay in the algorithm’s radar.
Video Replies and Comments
Comment on and reply to videos in your niche. This active engagement shows the algorithm that you’re part of the community.
Leveraging Algorithmic Playlists
How Playlists Help
Algorithmic playlists like Spotify’s Discover Weekly or Release Radar are crucial for growth. Getting on these playlists means getting recommended to a broader audience.
User Playlists
Even user-generated playlists can help build connections. When listeners add your music alongside other artists, it strengthens your algorithmic ties.
Final Thoughts
To escape algorithmic jail and grow your music career, you need to understand and leverage how algorithms work. By making strategic connections with other artists, engaging with your community, and using data-driven tools like MusicStax, you can boost your visibility and get recommended more often. Stay consistent, collaborate regularly, and keep creating content that ties you to other artists. This continuous effort will help you build a robust algorithmic network, ensuring your music reaches the right audience and grows organically.
If you want to dive deeper into strategies for promoting your music and increasing your popularity score, make sure to check out my video on TikTok promotion. This video will give you practical tips on creating viral TikTok content that can drive your Spotify streams and help you climb the ranks. Happy streaming!
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