T Jay Fowler Unveils New YouTube Music Features
Discover the latest upgrades, fostering community, and elevating the experience.
We are excited about this one!
T. Jay Fowler — the Director of Product Management at YouTube for the past 8 years — shared on the 24th of October 2023,the latest technological advancements on the YouTube Music App. Check out the new music app features here.
Before delving into the features, let’s differentiate YouTube Music from the original YouTube app— and how different the services are from one another.
Difference between YouTube Music vs. classic YouTube
YouTube offers diverse recommendations including videos and music — not only artist-based, such as ASMR, Educational, Entertainment, Travel, Tutorials channels, and so on.
Discover the 10 classifications of YouTube channels.
YouTube Music is all about (drumroll) — Music!
There is a strong emphasis on tailored experiences like personalized playlists based on user preferences, the ability to create custom radio stations, and recommendations for new music based on listening history.
It acts similarly to Spotify, Deezer and other music streaming platforms.
In addition, subscribers can enjoy ad-free listening, the ability to download music for offline playback, and background play, allowing music to continue playing even when the app is minimised (unlike the original YouTube app!).
Addressing Music Discoverability Issues
On the YouTube Music app it has been challenging to find specific songs and latest music releases.
YouTube Music has addressed the issue by including over 100 million songs, live performances, and music videos, covering old bangers to new jams.
Upcoming Feature: On Repeat
Soon, we’ll be able to quickly explore and listen to the songs and artists you’ve got on repeat from the Home tab — a similar feature released by Spotify in 2019, including On Repeat and Repeat Rewind.
Samples Tab
Introduction of the Samples tab: a personalised feed of short-form video segments to get you to your new favourite music (comparable to the Reels tab on Instagram). See it in action here.
Each immersive clip offers a glimpse into the artist, the video, and the feel of the song.
Radio Ga Ga
Users can now create their own radio station by surfacing pre-existing playlists, radios or albums via Home recommendations or Search results.
After picking which artists to draw inspiration from users can tune their radio to suit their mood.
Combining Music and A(I)rt.
The new experimental feature is currently accessible in the US — English language only. This feature empowers users with the ability to personalize their playlists using generative AI. Users can browse visual themes and explore various options to craft distinctive cover art, allowing your personal playlists to reflect their unique essence.
Making the user, and artist him/herself.
All about community
Unlike any other music streaming platform, YouTube Music allows users to share their thoughts in the YouTube Music app and connect with others through Comments.
This unique feature permits users to comment on a new song, podcast or old favourite while seeing what the broader community is saying by reading or reacting to their thoughts — all within the music app.
Go Karaoke!
Timed lyrics are now available: users and their friends can follow the words on-screen as they listen. If you’re looking for your favourite part of the song, you can tap on a specific lyric to jump to that part of the track.
Musically Yours, Break On Through
Check out more content about today’s music industry and streaming business in the publication Areas & Producers.
