Apple Music is home to over 100 million songs—here’s how you can break through the noise and boost your streams.
For musicians looking to expand their reach, Apple Music is a major player you can’t afford to ignore.
With millions of active users and strong editorial playlist support, getting more plays on Apple Music can help you build global credibility, higher streaming revenue, and better gig opportunities.
Here’s how you can get more plays on Apple Music as an independent artist in 2025.
1. Deliver High-Quality, Mastered Tracks
First things first: Apple Music prioritizes quality.
- Submit professionally mixed and mastered tracks, preferably following Apple’s guidelines for Apple Digital Masters.
- High-quality audio files can qualify for better visibility within Apple Music’s premium listening experiences.
Better sound = better listener retention = more plays.
2. Optimize Your Metadata and Album Art
Your metadata (song title, artist name, genre, album details) needs to be clean, consistent, and correctly formatted.
Apple Music’s search algorithm heavily depends on metadata, so make sure you:
- Choose accurate primary and secondary genres
- Keep artist and song names consistent across platforms
- Submit eye-catching, professional album artwork
Bad metadata can literally bury your songs—good metadata helps listeners find you faster.
3. Release Music Strategically and Consistently
Consistency is key.
- Plan your releases every 6–8 weeks to stay active on the platform
- Use “pre-add” campaigns (Apple’s version of pre-saves) to build momentum before the release
- Promote your release dates heavily across socials
Each new release resets the algorithm’s focus on you, keeping your music in the spotlight longer.
4. Leverage Smart Distribution Partners
Your choice of distribution partner can make a massive difference.
Look for distributors that help with playlist pitching, marketing support, and fan engagement—not just basic uploads.
Platforms like 8octaves.org stand out because they offer full artist support:
- Distribution across all major platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, more)
- Playlist pitching
- PR outreach
- Content marketing plans
- Direct fan engagement tools
Discover how 8octaves.org can help indie musicians scale up on Apple Music.
Working with platforms that care about your growth gives you a real competitive edge.
5. Target Apple Music Playlists
Landing a spot on Apple Music Playlists like Today’s Hits, New Music Daily, or Breaking Pop can explode your plays.
Here’s how to increase your chances:
- Release consistently so editors recognize your name
- Build buzz pre-release with strong social media campaigns
- Encourage fans to pre-add and save your tracks
- Create your own playlists mixing your tracks with similar big artists and promote them
Apple’s team actively watches artists gaining traction to curate their editorial picks.
6. Promote Outside of Apple Music
You need to send traffic from outside Apple Music to your tracks.
- Use Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to direct listeners
- Create short vertical video snippets with Apple Music links
- Partner with micro-influencers to share your new tracks
External promotion tells Apple Music’s algorithm your song has heat, which can lead to organic boosts inside the platform.
7. Engage Your Fans Directly
Finally, build direct connections with your fans. Loyal fans will listen, share, and promote you without you even asking.
Tactics:
- Personalized thank-you DMs to early listeners
- Exclusive “first listen” sessions on Instagram Live
- Share behind-the-scenes stories from your writing or recording process
A community-driven approach always results in higher streams, deeper loyalty, and a longer career.
Check out everything we have to offer Here!!
