Understanding the SoundCloud Algorithm as a Guide for Artists
Published on 04.03.2025 by TF
Before Spotify was the biggest place to stream music, we had SoundCloud.
Like Spotify, this app is where artists have a platform to share their music while also building their fanbases.
The platform has millions of tracks, with more uploaded every day. Being able to create a breakthrough song and getting noticed is a difficult task, but the SoundCloud algorithm can help artists do that.
By understanding the platform’s recommendation system, artists can get their songs to reach new audiences with minimal effort. It’s the SoundCloud algorithm that determines which tracks are recommended to users and this heavily influences an artist’s visibility.
As you continue to read, you’ll get an overview of how the algorithm works, the factors that affect how well your music does, and ways you can improve the chances of being noticed. Let’s begin!
Understanding What Makes Up the SoundCloud Algorithm
At its base, the SoundCloud algorithm is just like a recommendation system. This system makes use of a lot of background processes like complex machine learning models to try and figure out listener preferences.
Once it can do that, then the suggestion starts. It suggests tracks based on what the model predicts users will enjoy. These suggestions are based on listening habits.
The prediction system also works on several factors including the song’s engagement numbers and the type of content preferred. Here’s a more detailed idea of the factors:
Key Performance Factors
Likes, Plays, and Comments
Your song’s engagement is the most basic performance indicator that’s kept track of by the algorithm. When your song boasts high engagement numbers, it ranks well with the algorithm. And since it ranks well with the algorithm, it’s promoted to newer audiences.
Follower Growth
Your music’s visibility also depends on how fast your account grows. Getting a lot of followers in a short time? That’s what the algorithm likes!
More followers tells the SoundCloud algorithm that your tracks are preferred by new audiences. As a result, it’s further promoted to other users.
Track Uploads and Consistent Activity
The algorithm also likes people who are active and posting regularly shows that. The SoundCloud algorithm tends to reward consistency by providing greater exposure to profiles that update their accounts regularly.
Reposts and Shares
Like engagement numbers, reposting and sharing are other performance indicators that the algorithm takes into consideration. When users repost or share your tracks, they are not only seen by more people. Instead, the sharing also contributes to the algorithm’s recognition of the track’s potential appeal.
The algorithm shouldn’t be the only one looking at these performance indicators. Artists should do the same too!
By closely keeping track of these indicators, the algorithm edits its recommendations to better suit individual preferences while artists can keep track of what’s working and what isn’t.
Keeping Track of Engagements and Interactions
Engagement and interactions is a crucial factor that’s considered by SoundCloud’s algorithm. Simply put, good interaction means good ranking with the algorithm.
Tracks that generate a lot of interactions are more likely to be recommended to users. If so many people like this one track, chances are, you might too.
But engagement goes far beyond just listening to a song. It’s about the comments, the sharing, and reposts that a song gets. These are the interactions that the algorithm cares the most about.
Increasing Your Track’s Engagements
Encourage Listeners in Track Descriptions
When you’re writing your descriptions, remember that they’ll be read so encourage your audience to comment. Ask them questions, tell them to reply, or leave an interesting fact in the comment section.
Some simple calls to action like the ones we mentioned can spark conversations, and this is what the algorithm likes.
Be Active in the Comments
Engagements aren't just a solo effort. It’s the effort put in by both the artists and the listeners.
By replying to comments, artists can not only boost their engagement but also build deeper connections around their music. Taking note of what fans have to say also shows that you’re listening to them. This validates your audience and encourages them to engage more with your other content.
Releasing Tracks When It Counts
By keeping track of when you’re releasing your music, you can influence the engagements you get. You see, your followers aren’t online 24/7, and that means that the content which you put out can be missed if they’re offline.
Track times to note when your audience is mostly online. With information like that, when you upload your tracks, you’ll know what time to choose. By posting at the right times, you can instantly get a lot of engagement.
Getting Discovered Through SoundCloud Playlists
SoundCloud’s playlists are among the top ways artists can get their music to be discovered. Both user-made playlists and playlists generated by the app can bring in a lot of viewers. When your music is added to these playlists, it automatically means that more people will be introduced to your songs.
How Playlists Affect the Algorithm
When a song is added to a playlist, it gets more exposure, and this means more track plays and general engagement. This spike in engagement is what’s noticed by the algorithm. Generally, the more active a playlist is, the more listens you’ll be getting.
Getting Your Songs on Playlists
- Reach Out to Curators: Some artists build relationships with curators to get their songs into popular playlists. Artists can also submit tracks to curators who make playlists about the genre their music falls in. This ensures that your music is more likely to be featured.
- Don’t Forget Smaller Playlists: Larger playlists are great but that doesn’t mean you should forget about the smaller ones. Niche playlists can still promote your music to a more targeted audience. Any engagement is good engagement!
Growing Your Fanbase to Boost Algorithm Rankings
Your follower base is crucial. Not only does it show if you’re a good artist, but it’s also important for your ranking with the algorithm.
With more followers, you already stand on good terms with the algorithm. But as your followers continue to grow, the algorithm takes it as an indicator of your track’s popularity and relevance.
Ways to Boost Your Followers
- Cross Promotion Across Platforms: Make use of other social media apps. Share your SoundCloud tracks across different platforms to direct different followers to your profile. Cross promoting your music can help reach wider audiences and bring in more listeners.
- Collab With Other Artists: Artist collabs are a cheat code for more followers. When artists collaborate, their follower bases are instantly mixed. This makes it a great way to reach broader audiences.
- Engaging With Fans: By responding to comments and sharing exclusive content, artists can build loyalty and trust. This encourages already existing fans to share your profile with others.
Using Data Analytics to Keep Track of How Your Music is Doing
Data isn’t just gathered by the algorithm. It’s also collected to be shared with artists.
SoundCloud offers constant analytic updates that allow artists to track the performance of their songs. Plus, it also gives them info on their fanbase. With these tools, artists can refine and work on their content in order to tweak any issues.
What to Track
- Listener Information: Understanding who listens to your music helps tailor promotional strategies. SoundCloud provides info on where your fanbase is from and which age groups they fall into. With this data, artists can target their audience better.
- Song Performances: SoundCloud also offers data on every track that’s uploaded. This helps give artists an idea of how well each song performs. Info like this can help give artists an idea of what’s enjoyed by their fanbase.
- Engagement Data: Through SoundCloud’s data analytics, artists can also find how often their tracks are listened to. Tracks with high engagement levels tend to stand out. In turn, these are also the ones liked better by the algorithm.
Optimizing Your SoundCloud Presence
SoundCloud’s algorithm can also be influenced by optimizing your own account. This can involve something like making your profile look complete and professional. Complete profiles that include all important info ensure that accounts can be easily found by new fans.
There’s also SEO to make use of. Now, you’d think SoundCloud isn’t the place for SEO. But you’d be wrong!
SoundCloud is essentially a search engine, and that’s why you’ve got to use relevant keywords in your track descriptions and tags. This ensures that your tracks are shown and recommended to others.
No matter how well you’re working with the algorithm, it won’t matter if your tracks aren’t high quality, so don’t just go around posting a lot of music. Take your time! Make sure it’s something that people will want to hear and that it sounds good.
Never forget the classic saying: Quality, not quantity!
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, understanding the SoundCloud algorithm is necessary for artists looking to go big.
The algorithm is affected by engagements, playlists, quality, and how many followers you’re getting. By focusing on these factors, artists can have a better chance of success.
Results will take time, but consistent effort will also pay off! With practice and a lot of patience, your SoundCloud presence will be what you want it to be, allowing you to connect with listeners who truly like your music.