Is SoundCloud Worth It for Artists ?

For years, SoundCloud has been a popular platform for independent musicians looking to share their music, grow a fanbase, and potentially earn revenue. Known for its accessibility and community-driven model, it’s provided countless artists with the opportunity to launch their careers. However, as the music industry evolves and more streaming platforms emerge, artists are now questioning whether SoundCloud is still worth their time and effort.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at SoundCloud’s benefits and challenges, exploring how it compares to other platforms and whether it’s still a viable option for artists seeking success in today’s competitive music landscape. If you’re wondering whether SoundCloud is the right platform for you, this guide will help you weigh the pros and cons.

Benefits of Using SoundCloud as an Artist

SoundCloud has long been a favorite platform for independent and emerging artists, offering unique advantages that other music streaming platforms don’t always provide. For those looking to build a following, interact with fans, or simply share their music with the world, SoundCloud presents a number of key benefits. Whether you’re an aspiring musician or an established artist, here are some of the main reasons why SoundCloud remains a valuable tool for growing your music career:

Free Platform with Accessibility

One of the most significant benefits of SoundCloud is its accessibility. Unlike many other platforms that require costly subscriptions or have strict requirements, SoundCloud offers both free and premium tiers, allowing artists of all levels to use the platform according to their needs.

• Free Tier: SoundCloud’s free version allows users to upload up to three hours of music, which is perfect for independent artists just starting out. This free tier makes it easy to share your music without worrying about upfront costs, making it ideal for musicians with limited budgets.
• Premium Options: For those looking for more advanced features, SoundCloud’s Pro Unlimited subscription offers unlimited uploads, more detailed analytics, and additional promotional tools. The flexibility of upgrading means artists can scale their use of the platform as they grow, offering affordability for every stage of their career.

Direct Engagement with Fans

SoundCloud provides a level of direct engagement that sets it apart from many other platforms. The ability to interact with listeners in real time creates a more personal connection between artists and their audience, which is crucial for building a loyal fanbase.

• Comments on Tracks: One of SoundCloud’s most unique features is the ability for listeners to leave comments on specific parts of a track. This feature allows artists to receive immediate feedback on their music and engage with fans right where the conversation is happening. Fans can express their thoughts, favorite moments, and even suggestions, making it a more interactive experience.
• Likes, Shares, and Reposts: Beyond comments, SoundCloud allows listeners to like, share, and repost tracks. These features not only boost engagement but also increase the visibility of your music. When a listener shares or reposts your track, it can quickly spread to their followers, creating opportunities for your music to go viral.
• Building a Community: Through regular interaction and direct communication, artists can foster a community around their music. This level of fan engagement helps build loyalty, leading to repeat Soundcloud plays, word-of-mouth promotion, and more substantial long-term support.

Global Reach and Exposure

SoundCloud’s massive user base gives artists the potential to reach a worldwide audience. With millions of users across the globe, the platform allows you to showcase your music far beyond your local scene, giving you the chance to gain fans from different countries and cultures.

• Millions of Listeners: As one of the largest music streaming platforms, SoundCloud has millions of daily active users, which means your tracks have the potential to be discovered by a vast audience. Whether you’re targeting listeners in your home country or trying to reach international markets, SoundCloud offers that reach.
• Diverse Genres and Styles: SoundCloud is home to an incredibly diverse range of music styles and genres, from mainstream pop to niche experimental genres. This diversity makes it easier for artists to find their audience, no matter what type of music they create. The platform also offers listeners the ability to discover new music through playlists, charts, and the “Discover” feature, which can introduce your tracks to people who may not have found you otherwise.

Built-In Analytics and Promotional Tools

SoundCloud offers artists valuable insights into how their music is performing through its built-in analytics tools. These tools help you understand your audience better, allowing you to tailor your promotion strategies based on the data you collect.

• Track Plays and Engagement: With SoundCloud’s analytics tools, you can track how many times your songs have been played, which regions your listeners are from, and how engaged they are with your content. Understanding where your plays are coming from can help you target your promotion to specific areas or demographics, increasing your reach and effectiveness.
• Audience Demographics: The ability to track demographic information (such as age, gender, and location) gives you deeper insights into who your listeners are. This allows you to optimize your marketing strategies and even adjust your music style to better resonate with your core audience.
• Playlists and Reposts: SoundCloud also allows you to create custom playlists, which can help boost the visibility of your tracks. Additionally, the platform’s repost feature lets you promote other artists or ask others to repost your tracks, creating a mutually beneficial promotion loop within the artist community.
• Paid Promotion Options: For those looking to take their promotion to the next level, SoundCloud offers a Promoted Tracks feature, allowing artists to invest in paid promotion and increase their visibility on the platform. This can be a powerful tool for artists who want to reach a broader audience or give their new releases a boost.

Challenges Artists Face on SoundCloud

While SoundCloud provides unique opportunities for artists to showcase their music and engage with listeners, it also presents some challenges that musicians should be aware of. As with any platform, success on SoundCloud requires strategy, effort, and an understanding of the hurdles involved. Below, we’ll explore the main challenges that artists face on SoundCloud and how they can navigate them.

Saturation of Content

One of the biggest challenges for artists on SoundCloud is the sheer volume of music being uploaded every day. With millions of tracks added to the platform on a daily basis, it’s easy for new or lesser-known artists to get lost in the noise. Standing out and getting attention can be particularly difficult without an established fanbase or a strong promotional strategy.

• High Competition: SoundCloud is accessible to artists from around the world, which means there’s a constant stream of new music being uploaded. This saturation creates intense competition, especially for independent artists who don’t have the backing of a label or large promotional budget. Breaking through and gaining recognition requires not only talent but also consistent effort in promotion and audience engagement.
• Discoverability Issues: Although SoundCloud offers features like curated playlists and trending charts, it can be difficult for new tracks to be discovered organically, particularly in saturated genres like hip hop, electronic, and pop. Artists must actively promote their music on social media, collaborate with other musicians, and engage with their audience to rise above the competition.

Monetization Limitations

While SoundCloud does offer monetization opportunities through its Premier program, getting accepted into this program can be a challenge for smaller or emerging artists. The requirements to qualify for monetization can be difficult to meet, especially if you’re still in the process of building an audience.

• Eligibility Barriers: To qualify for SoundCloud’s Premier Monetization Program, artists must own 100% of the rights to their music, reside in an eligible country, and meet certain play count and engagement thresholds. These requirements can pose a significant challenge for new artists who may not have a large fanbase or consistent streams yet. As a result, many independent musicians may not qualify for monetization immediately.
• Low Initial Earnings: Even once an artist qualifies for monetization, the initial earnings may be lower than expected. Monetization on SoundCloud is based on a mix of ad revenue and fan-powered royalties. Artists with smaller audiences may find it difficult to generate significant income until their play counts and engagement grow. This can make SoundCloud less appealing for artists who are primarily focused on earning revenue.

Ad Revenue vs. Subscription Revenue

Another challenge that artists face on SoundCloud is the variability of earnings depending on the type of revenue generated—either through ads or subscriptions. Unlike other streaming platforms that offer more stable earnings from subscription-based models, SoundCloud’s ad revenue is less predictable and can vary based on the region and engagement levels of your listeners.

• Ad Revenue Limitations: Artists who monetize through ad-supported plays may find that their earnings fluctuate depending on the engagement of their listeners and the regions they are based in. Ad revenue tends to be higher in regions like the U.S., U.K., and Canada, but artists with fans in regions where ad engagement is lower may see less income. This reliance on ads can result in inconsistent earnings, especially for artists with a global audience.
• Subscription Revenue Potential: SoundCloud’s Go+ subscription service offers higher earning potential because it eliminates ads and allows users to pay for uninterrupted access to music. Artists earn a share of the subscription fees based on how much their music is streamed by premium users. However, the challenge here is that SoundCloud has a smaller percentage of paid subscribers compared to platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, which can limit the overall revenue potential.

Below is a comparison table showing the key differences between ad revenue and subscription revenue on SoundCloud:

The Need for External Promotion

To overcome many of the challenges mentioned, artists must actively promote their music outside of SoundCloud. Relying solely on organic discoverability within the platform is often not enough to gain substantial traction, especially in a competitive environment.

• Social Media Engagement: Promoting your SoundCloud tracks on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube is crucial to growing your audience and boosting your play count. Creating engaging content that complements your music, such as behind-the-scenes videos, live performances, or teaser clips, can help drive traffic to your SoundCloud profile and increase your chances of getting discovered.
• Collaborations and Playlists: Collaborating with other artists and curating playlists that feature your music alongside popular tracks can also improve your visibility. By partnering with established artists or getting your tracks featured on influential playlists, you can tap into new listener bases and grow your audience.
• Paid Promotions: While organic growth is essential, artists may also need to invest in paid promotion tools, both on and off SoundCloud, to get their music in front of a larger audience. SoundCloud’s Promoted Tracks feature allows artists to boost the visibility of their music within the platform, while social media ads can direct new listeners to your profile.

Navigating these challenges is part of the journey for many artists on SoundCloud. While the platform offers unique opportunities for exposure and engagement, artists must be prepared to put in the work—both in terms of promotion and consistently creating high-quality content—to stand out in a saturated environment. Understanding the potential monetization limitations and the nuances of SoundCloud’s revenue models will also help you set realistic expectations and plan your strategies accordingly.

Boost Your Exposure with More Plays on SoundCloud

One of the most significant factors in succeeding on SoundCloud is gaining visibility through a high play count. Tracks that accumulate more plays are more likely to be recommended by SoundCloud’s algorithm, which increases the likelihood of attracting new listeners. For independent artists looking to stand out, having a high play count not only enhances your credibility but also boosts organic engagement. Services like plays on SoundCloud from trusted providers like Famety can give your tracks the boost they need to reach a wider audience more quickly.

How More Plays Improve Your Visibility

Increasing your play count directly impacts your track’s visibility on the platform. SoundCloud’s algorithm takes into account metrics such as play count, engagement, and listener retention to recommend tracks to new users. Here’s why having more plays can enhance your presence on SoundCloud:

• Improved Algorithmic Placement: Tracks with higher play counts are more likely to appear in recommended lists, trending charts, and search results. This can lead to more organic plays as listeners discover your music through SoundCloud’s various recommendation features.
• More Engagement Opportunities: As your play count increases, listeners are more likely to interact with your tracks by leaving comments, likes, and reposting your music to their own followers. This kind of engagement further amplifies your reach.
• Attracting Organic Listeners: Higher play counts act as social proof, signaling to potential new listeners that your music is worth their time. This helps build trust, making it easier for your tracks to gain traction and attract more organic listeners.

The Credibility Factor

A high play count doesn’t just make your music more visible; it also makes your profile appear more credible to new listeners, collaborators, and even industry professionals. Here’s how more plays enhance your credibility:

• Social Proof: In the digital age, numbers matter. Tracks with a higher play count tend to be perceived as more popular and trustworthy, which encourages new listeners to press play. It’s the psychological effect of “if others are listening, it must be good.”
• Attracting Collaborations: Artists with a substantial play count are more likely to be approached for collaborations by other musicians or producers. When your profile reflects a high level of activity, it signals that you’re an active and relevant artist within the music community.

Accelerating Your Path to Monetization

One of the long-term benefits of increasing your play count is that it brings you closer to qualifying for SoundCloud’s Premier Monetization Program. More plays can directly impact your revenue opportunities on the platform.

• Meeting Monetization Criteria: To qualify for monetization on SoundCloud, artists need to meet specific thresholds in terms of play count and engagement. By increasing your play count through plays on SoundCloud from providers like Famety (ex- InstaFollowers), you can reach these thresholds faster and start earning revenue from your tracks.
• Fan-Powered Royalties: More plays mean higher engagement, which in turn leads to better payouts through SoundCloud’s fan-powered royalties system. The more loyal your listeners are and the more they engage with your tracks, the greater your potential earnings.

Strategies to Sustain High Play Counts

While services like Famety can give you the initial boost you need, sustaining high play counts over time requires ongoing effort. Here are some strategies to keep your play count growing:

• Regular Releases: Consistently releasing new music keeps your profile active and encourages repeat plays from your existing audience while attracting new listeners.
• Cross-Promotion on Social Media: Promote your SoundCloud tracks across other platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to drive traffic and boost plays. Engaging your followers on these platforms helps maintain a steady flow of listeners to your SoundCloud profile.
• Collaborations and Remixes: Collaborating with other artists or releasing remixes of popular tracks can expose your music to new audiences, increasing your play count and expanding your reach.

Is SoundCloud Still Worth It for Independent Artists?

Ultimately, whether SoundCloud is worth it for independent artists depends on your specific goals, priorities, and where you are in your music career. SoundCloud has long been a haven for indie musicians, providing a space for direct engagement with fans, organic exposure, and a variety of tools to promote your music. However, in today’s competitive streaming landscape, other platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube may offer higher revenue potential for certain artists. To help you decide whether SoundCloud aligns with your music career objectives, we’ll weigh the pros and cons.

Pros of Using SoundCloud for Independent Artists

SoundCloud continues to offer distinct advantages, particularly for new or emerging artists. If your goals include building a fanbase and fostering community engagement, SoundCloud might still be a valuable tool for you.

• Direct Engagement with Fans: One of SoundCloud’s strongest advantages is the ability to engage directly with your audience. Through comments, likes, and shares, you can interact with listeners in real time, building a deeper connection. For independent artists, this interaction is crucial for nurturing a loyal fanbase.
• Organic Growth Opportunities: SoundCloud’s algorithms help promote music based on plays, likes, and shares, meaning you have the opportunity to grow your audience organically. The platform’s charts, trending features, and playlists offer a chance for independent tracks to gain exposure without needing significant promotional budgets.
• No Barriers to Entry: With its free version, SoundCloud is accessible to all artists, regardless of their resources. You can start uploading music right away without needing to pay for distribution services, which can be a huge benefit for independent artists on a budget.

Cons of Using SoundCloud for Independent Artists

While SoundCloud offers several benefits, there are some drawbacks that may make other platforms more appealing, especially for artists focused on maximizing revenue or growing on a global scale.

• Lower Monetization Potential: Compared to platforms like Spotify or Apple Music, SoundCloud’s monetization potential is lower, especially for independent artists who may not yet qualify for the Premier Monetization Program. While fan-powered royalties and ad revenue can provide some income, it tends to be less consistent than revenue from subscription-based models.
• Competitive Saturation: As previously mentioned, the sheer volume of tracks uploaded to SoundCloud every day can make it difficult for new artists to stand out. Even with engagement and organic growth opportunities, many artists struggle to cut through the noise, making promotion outside of SoundCloud (on social media, for example) essential.
• Fewer Industry Opportunities: While SoundCloud is great for building an initial fanbase, other platforms may offer better opportunities for industry recognition. For example, artists who are seeking playlist placements, label attention, or higher revenue from streams may find more success on Spotify or Apple Music, where there is a higher concentration of industry attention and bigger payouts.

Below is a comparison of key factors across SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Music:

When SoundCloud Is a Great Fit

For many independent artists, SoundCloud is still a valuable platform, especially when your goals revolve around fan engagement and organic growth. Here are some situations in which SoundCloud might be the right fit:

• Building a Loyal Fanbase: If you’re in the early stages of your music career and are focused on building a dedicated audience, SoundCloud’s community-driven platform is an ideal space to nurture that fanbase. Direct interactions through comments, likes, and reposts create a tight-knit community around your music.
• Experimenting with Different Sounds: SoundCloud is known for its diversity of genres and experimental music. If you’re an artist who likes to experiment with different sounds or create music that doesn’t fit into mainstream categories, SoundCloud’s open nature offers the freedom to explore creatively without the constraints you might face on more commercial platforms.
• Cost-Effective Promotion: If you’re an independent artist working with limited financial resources, SoundCloud’s free tier is an excellent way to get your music out into the world without paying for distribution. Plus, it offers built-in analytics that help you understand your audience without requiring premium memberships.

When Other Platforms Might Be Better

While SoundCloud offers several advantages, artists focused on maximizing revenue, growing their global presence, or getting industry attention may find that other platforms better align with their goals.

• Maximizing Revenue: If your primary goal is to earn more income from streaming, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music offer higher payout rates due to their subscription models. For artists with large audiences or those looking to turn their streaming numbers into a significant revenue source, these platforms tend to provide more consistent and larger payouts.
• Global Reach and Industry Recognition: Platforms like Spotify have extensive global reach and are more widely used by industry professionals to discover new artists. If your focus is on playlist placements, label attention, or collaborations with mainstream artists, these platforms may offer better opportunities for exposure.

Conclusion

Is SoundCloud still worth it for independent artists? The answer largely depends on your goals and where you are in your music journey. For artists who value direct engagement with their audience, organic growth opportunities, and creative freedom, SoundCloud remains a powerful platform. Its accessibility and community-driven features make it especially appealing for emerging artists looking to build a dedicated fanbase without high upfront costs.

However, for those who are further along in their career or are primarily focused on maximizing streaming revenue and industry recognition, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music may offer better opportunities. The higher monetization potential, greater industry attention, and more structured distribution systems on these platforms make them a valuable addition to any artist’s strategy.

Ultimately, SoundCloud can still be a valuable tool in an independent artist’s toolkit, particularly when used in conjunction with other platforms that complement its strengths. By balancing your presence on SoundCloud with efforts on other streaming services, you can build a well-rounded music career that leverages the unique benefits each platform has to offer.

About The Author

Renee Straphorn

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