Should Music Be Made for Social Media? A Critical Look at the Shift in the Music Industry.

In 2025, the music industry is at a crossroads. With physical sales nearly extinct and streaming platforms becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, many artists are turning to social media as the new frontier for sharing their music. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are now where music is discovered, discussed, and disseminated. While this shift presents new opportunities for visibility and engagement, it also raises a critical question: Should music be made for social media? Let’s look at the complexities of this trend and explore the potential drawbacks of crafting art for algorithms. 

Music as a Commodity: The Rise of Short-Form, Quick-Bite Content 

Social media’s emphasis on short, viral clips has reshaped how music is consumed. The focus is no longer on full tracks or albums, but on 15-second soundbites that can be easily shared and paired with viral trends. While this model undoubtedly boosts discoverability for some artists, it reduces music to a commodity that fits into a small, digestible moment—something easily consumed, discarded, and forgotten. Does this trend erode the value of music as an art form, pushing artists to prioritize clicks over creativity? Should musicians sacrifice their artistic integrity to make songs that fit within a fleeting viral trend? 

Behind the Scenes: Is the “Real” Music Still There? 

With platforms like Instagram and TikTok offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into an artist’s process, there’s an increasing emphasis on personality and production techniques over the music itself. While this approach offers authenticity and a sense of connection, it’s important to consider whether it’s drawing attention away from the final product. Are we more interested in watching an artist create than actually listening to the music they’ve made? In some ways, the focus on process over product could be diluting the core of what music is meant to be: a fully realized artistic statement, not just a moment captured for social media consumption. 

Influencers as Gatekeepers: The New Music Critics 

Influencers, such as marg.mp3, are reshaping music discovery, but their influence is not without its drawbacks. Their ability to curate music for massive audiences is undeniably powerful, yet it raises questions about whether we’re losing the organic, personal connections music used to foster. Influencers are often driven by algorithms and engagement metrics, meaning the music that gets featured is more about what will resonate with followers than what’s truly innovative or boundary-pushing. This new system of discovery risks reducing music to a popularity contest where the loudest voices dominate, leaving little room for niche or experimental artists to thrive. Should music discovery be in the hands of influencers who might prioritize trends over artistry? 

The Algorithmic Trap: Are Artists Creating for an Audience, or for an Algorithm? 

One of the most critical issues with making music for social media is the ever-present influence of algorithms. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram reward content that is shareable, easily consumed, and likely to go viral. This creates an environment where artists are incentivized to produce music that fits neatly into a format tailored to these platforms, whether or not it aligns with their true artistic vision. The pressure to create content specifically for algorithms can strip away the authenticity of an artist’s work, leading to a homogenized sound that caters to what the algorithm favors rather than what the artist wants to express. In this climate, are artists still free to make music that represents who they are, or are they just playing to an audience that doesn’t exist beyond their screen? 

Conclusion 

While social media undeniably provides new opportunities for exposure and engagement, the rise of short-form, trend-driven content is fundamentally changing the way we experience music. Music is becoming more about fitting into the social media ecosystem than about artistic expression, and that’s a concerning shift for many musicians and listeners alike. Are we willing to let the algorithms dictate how music is made, or will we push back against this trend and demand more from the artists we follow? As we move into 2025, it’s worth asking: Should music be made for social media, or should social media make room for music to exist as art, on its own terms? 

Author - Aishwarya Wagle

Aishwarya is an avid literature enthusiast and a content writer. She thrives on creating value for writing and is passionate about helping her organization grow creatively.