In today’s streaming landscape, understanding what features your audience values most isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s a competitive advantage. And with the music industry focusing more and more on super-serving the most loyal (and lucrative) fans, platform differentiation becomes key.
So what features are the platform users telling us they want the most?
Data from Luminate Insights’ consumer research underscores how users of distinct digital streaming platforms (DSP) prioritize different aspects of their listening experience. By identifying and focusing on these key preferences, brands can tailor their offerings to better engage their audience.
Take SoundCloud, for example. SoundCloud thrives on emerging talent and emerging scenes. SoundCloud users are more engaged in listening to new genres like Afrobeats and Afropop. This aligns with SoundCloud’s brand identity as a space for grassroots music movements and underscores the importance of fostering an environment where new voices can be heard. DSPs looking to compete in this space should consider how they surface fresh content to their listeners.
TIDAL users, on the other hand, are significantly more likely to report the ability to live stream events and concerts as an important feature when compared to the average U.S. music streamer. This signals clear potential for live music integrations that could be a core differentiator for the platform. For brands in the streaming space, this insight serves a reminder that investing in the right features–and effectively marketing them–can be a critical factor in retaining and attracting high-value listeners.
Amazon Music provides a third perspective – as users tend to over-index around the platform’s ability to use voice assistants and voice-enabled smart speakers. This highlights their desire for hand-free control and home-product integration. This trend reinforces the idea that DSP success isn’t one-size-fits-all, but rather shows that your users care about most and optimizing for those features is key.
Ultimately, the key takeaway for any brand is this: listen to your audience. Users make deliberate choices based on what they value most, whether it’s audio live streaming, new music discovery, or another defining factor. The more a brand can align its product experience with these priorities, the more effectively it can build loyalty, engagement, and long-term success.
To read more of our audience insights or to partner with Luminate to discuss your brand’s consumer insights, visit luminatedata.com.
SOURCES: Luminate Insights Consumer Research Data; Music 360
