How to get on the SoundCloud Algorithm

In 2023, SoundCloud reached another milestone - 140 million active users, 40 of whom are music creators. The platform expands as more individuals share their songs and start their journey as musicians. Did you know how many songs are on the platform right now? 375 million, and this number grows. Those who want to take their first steps as musicians select SoundCloud as a starting point. However, simply creating a profile and publishing your music is not so effective. If you want to win this game, you have to learn the rules. The most important rule relates to the SoundCloud algorithm. This mechanism moves everything on the platform, including recommendations, compilations, etc.

Those who master the algorithm will understand how to get popular on SoundCloud. They will make the system work for them.

If you want to know how to appear in someone’s recommendations, how to make your profile visible, and how to attract more listeners, this article is for you. Keep reading as we will uncover the SoundCloud algorithm and reveal its core aspects.

What Is the Soundcloud Algorithm and How Does It Work?

Unlike Spotify or Amazon Music, SoundCloud does not share information about its algorithm. The only thing we know is that the platform is based on the DiscoRank algorithm, which was designed by Amelie Anglade. In this video, you can find an explanation of how this algorithm works in detail. In our article, we outline the most valuable insights:

• Your songs must be optimized for search and include relevant tags.
• You must specify the genre because otherwise, it won’t appear in the search panel.
• Start promoting your music as soon as it’s released. The Explore Tab recognizes songs released in recent weeks.
• The algorithm triggers by plays, likes, reposts, comments, and other actions taken by users.
• The number of high-quality links (Instagram, Facebook, etc.) impacts the algorithm as well. It also helps during the promotion campaign.

The algorithm forces you to be proactive and work on pushing your content to the top. Once you follow the recommendations, your music will go viral.

Still, there are factors musicians can’t change completely. For example, users’ past activity on the platform. SoundCloud analyzes listening habits and creates preferences for them. For example, if a person listens to hip-hop, the platform will select new genre-related tracks and put them in suggestions. Your task here is to use the correct genre tags to ensure they will be assigned to the appropriate genre. It means if your music goes viral, it will trigger the algorithm, and the song will appear in users’ feeds. The same way it works for the suggested tracks on SoundCloud because this category is based on preferences. If a person enjoys the suggested music and puts likes, the system will offer new recommendations similar to the previous tracks.

SoundCloud Charts - Your Golden Ticket

On November 20, 2023, a huge update appeared on SoundCloud, and new charts were released. There were two charts called “New&Hot” and “Next Pro”. Everyone who appears in these charts becomes visible to a wider audience, being able to introduce themselves. Charts symbolize validation and credibility, showing that individuals are successfully established as artists and are ready to move on. The “New&Hot” chart is set to promote rapidly growing artists whose music is on track. It’s usually published on Fridays and presents the most engaging tracks.

The “Next Pro” chart is a brand-new category set to put a spot on emerging talents, including unsigned and independent talents. These new charts are protected with the newest security protocols to avoid fraudulent streamers. Moreover, all the existing charts on SoundCloud were optimized to help users find the song they want and eliminate unexpected issues. Why are charts so important for artists? They help them increase their presence and effectively distribute their music across the platform. 

How to Push Your Songs to the Soundcloud Charts?

Engagement is key. To make your music more recognizable and trending, you have to increase engagement after the release. Use cross-platform promotion and tell your followers about the latest releases. Invest in SoundCloud promotion and purchase an appropriate package to boost listens, likes, reposts, etc. The more you get, the better. Select the promotion service that meets your goals. Since you need a push at the start, you don’t need the most expensive option. Select the smaller promotion package as it will cost less and has a short delivery time, so you won’t waste your time. Experienced specialists will maintain your profile, using special tactics to trigger the algorithm and bring organic reach to your profile.

How to get on SoundCloud charts? Communicate with other users, engage with their content, and ask them to do the same. Likes, reposts, and feedback are the main powers that trigger the algorithm. That’s where hashtags matter, too because they grant visibility to your music.

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Use Multiple Promotion Techniques to Get on the SoundCloud Algorithm

Besides using SoundCloud promo packages, you have to use all available capabilities to ensure your music will be heard. When people ask how to promote music on SoundCloud, they expect something unusual. You work with available instruments that are your social media accounts. Share stories and Reels, add appropriate hashtags, and announce the upcoming releases.

The band “Fozzy” announces the upcoming tour in the UK, so the fans will buy tickets and join the show in their towns.

Create posts announcing the release date, so people will be ready to hear your song. Moreover, unexpected releases won’t be impactful because people will likely skip the song and move on. From here we move to the next important step - correct posing time. That’s right, you should know when to post on SoundCloud. By following a specific posting schedule you will build trustworthy with your audience and give them an understanding of what to expect from you in the future. Here’s an example of how your posting schedule for SoundCloud may look like:

It’s not a perfect schedule, just an example. If you want to maximize your engagement and get as many listens as possible, analyze the activity using SoundCloud Insights. This tool allows you to get detailed stats about the main activities that impact engagement: plays, likes, reposts, and comments. Every like, repost, or play triggers the algorithm, and that’s exactly what you need. 

Create Collaborative Playlists

As we already mentioned, networking is essential for SoundCloud track promotion and overall for the algorithm. Since you are a newcomer and want to make more connections, use reposts to connect with others. When you repost three songs, a system will ask if you want to create a collaborative playlist with this person. Consider that this works only between friends, and only one of you needs to accept this invitation to make it happen. 

By creating collaborative playlists, you present yourself to another person’s audience, sharing your music with them. People will discover new music, and you will get a boost for the algorithm. Initially, your playlist will contain three songs from each side. To expand it, you can simply add more tracks.

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Learn Soundcloud Algorithm to Increase Efficiency

When you see how much information you need to know about the SoundCloud algorithm, it may seem scary. Still, everything goes easier when you apply knowledge in practice. Do everything consistently and track your progress. If something is wrong, fix it, and then move on. Also, follow artists who are on the same level as you. Maybe they’ll share some effective tips you’d like to use. The most important thing - consistency. Focus on improving yourself as a specialist, and you’ll succeed.