SoundCloud is set to enhance its user experience by introducing a discovery feed reminiscent of TikTok’s design – featuring vertical scrolling and succinct song snippets. The music streaming giant had been piloting this feature since March and is now poised to roll it out universally to its iOS and Android users.
This revamped app design lets users sample a 30-second excerpt of tracks, aiding them in making informed decisions about listening to the full song. Should the preview resonate, a simple tap on the play button will transition to the entire track.
Notably, while artists have the autonomy to pick their 30-second highlights, SoundCloud has incorporated the prowess of Musiio’s AI, a startup it assimilated in 2022. This artificial intelligence selects the most appealing 30-second segment from tracks, enhancing the music discovery process.
The refreshed discovery interface doesn’t just stop at offering music previews. It integrates convenient shortcut buttons, allowing users to seamlessly add tracks to their playlists or libraries. Additionally, users can “like” tracks, ensuring they appear in their “Liked tracks” section for future access.
For those nostalgic about the original design, SoundCloud ensures continuity. Users can revert to the traditional following feed via the “Following” tab, granting them access to music released by their preferred artists.
SoundCloud’s move to emulate a TikTok-like discovery feed underscores the profound impact of short-form content in the digital music realm. By intertwining AI with user-driven functionalities, SoundCloud’s strategy seems poised to elevate user engagement and refine music discovery experiences.
