With search engine optimization, the words you use online can help your content thrive. This will sometimes be as simple as adding the right genre hashtags. You’ll then be able to rank higher in a search engine’s results. In this post, we’ll show you how to set up SEO for SoundCloud and get more plays.
What Is SEO for SoundCloud?
Search engine optimization isn’t just for Google and other web crawlers. You might also use it to help your SoundCloud tracks find an audience. This means people will be more likely to stumble upon your songs.
If SoundCloud knows how to categorize your music tracks, it can show them to the right people. This starts with the song’s title and description. Without a good SEO plan, your songs could end up with next to no viewers.
Your SEO efforts will help you rank highly when people type certain keywords. This may include your genre, sub-genre, and your use of hashtags.
How To Boost Your Music on SoundCloud
Like most online platforms, SoundCloud uses an algorithm. This helps it figure out who’ll enjoy a track and who won’t. Your goal here is to convince the site your tracks are worth a listen. Here’s how to get more plays via a solid music SEO plan:
- Optimize your profile: Giving your profile page its own description shows that you’re an active artist. This alone can convince the site to promote your new songs more.
- Title your track well: Ideally, your track title should include a (relevant) keyword. If it’s a song mashup you’re uploading, make sure your title has the other track name.
- Change the title: It also helps to change the title every now and again. If your track isn’t performing too well, a new title could give it a “fresh start.”
- Use hashtags: Add the hashtags from trending tracks to your new songs when relevant. People listening to trending music will then see you in their recommendations.
- Add track descriptions: Your description is a great place to include additional keywords and hashtags. This gives the site a better idea of who your tracks are for.
- Use social media: Promote your tracks on your other online profiles. This should act as a backlink. SoundCloud will see your song as worth promoting even more.
- Make a playlist: Collect your tracks in a playlist. You could also add other tracks that are the same type of music. Playlists rank separately to individual songs/artists.
- Reply to comments: Each new comment helps boost your song; this includes your own replies. Talk to your commenters, and the engagement will help your songs.
How SoundCloud Search Works
There are several ways to find new music on platforms such as SoundCloud. One of these is by simply searching for it. Anybody curious about a new sub-genre can search for it. This will show them the site’s most popular examples, which are often the most optimized.
SoundCloud splits searches into tracks, premium/Go+ tracks, playlists, users, and albums. You can try to rank highly in each of these categories. However, you’ll need a premium SoundCloud account to set up Go+ tracks.
According to Marketing Charts, 35% of American adults hear new songs through music apps. If your SoundCloud SEO is strong enough, you’ll quickly climb the site’s search ranks. If someone looks for hyperpop, the platform will push your optimized hyperpop tracks closer to the top.
Using SoundCloud Hashtags
Tags help SoundCloud build a wealth of data about each track. This includes what you consider to be important, relevant keywords. When you upload a song, SoundCloud will ask for its genre. It’ll then use this as the song’s “main” hashtag.
If you’re uploading electronic dance music, for example, choose Dance & EDM. This gives your track a “#Dance and EDM” tag. Unlike most other sites, these tags include spaces. The tag tells SoundCloud to promote your tracks alongside other EDM songs.
Some people also search for these tags directly and scroll through them to find new songs. This means entering a new genre unlocks entirely new audience segments.
You can also add tags of your own while uploading a song. Mix specific tags, such as the song’s sub-genre, with broad ones, such as the track’s main instrument. However, don’t overload these songs with tags; this could just push people away.
Classifying Your Songs
On the topic of genre, this is a big part of SoundCloud’s algorithm. However, the platform’s main genre choices are quite broad. It might be worth picking the Custom genre option. This lets you define the track’s genre however you want.
Is your specific sub-genre popular enough, though? Or would picking a broad option work better and net more plays? Keep an eye on which genres are slowly getting a lot of attention. This can help you jump on current and upcoming music trends.
Simply by telling SoundCloud your genre, you might be able to unlock instant music promotion.
Tracking Your Analytics
By keeping an eye on your stats, you’ll see how your SoundCloud SEO strategy is working. The site shows free users a limited amount of data. This includes:
- Plays
- Likes
- Reposts
- Comments
- Downloads
For anything deeper than this, you’ll need a premium plan. This could be a barrier in your music journey but plays alone might be enough to help. After all, the goal of SEO on this site is to give you more listeners. Simply recording music and sharing it online won’t always be enough.
When you use SEO for SoundCloud plays, it’s easy to track the results. A week or two after you start adding more SEO, check your plays over time. You can see this in your account’s Insights tab and set the date range to match. If you’re getting more listens, your strategy is working.
Getting SoundCloud Backlinks
SoundCloud backlinks are links from other websites that promote your tracks. This leads to your music ranking higher in Google’s search results. If others are sharing your song, Google will see that people want to listen to it.
But how do you get people to link to your tracks? Beyond your own social media, you can reach out to online music blogs and publications. However, they’ll have a lot of people sending in their music. Make sure yours stands out from the crowd.
When it comes to backlinks, quality always beats quantity. You must find reputable figures in the industry to promote your music. Simply spamming the internet with your tracks won’t help you truly grow.
Get More SoundCloud Plays With Paid Followers
SEO for SoundCloud can really boost your music. But it helps to combine this with real, organic engagement. GoRead.io can give you more followers and regular listeners to climb the site’s ranks.
Our team can also help your Instagram and other socials where you might promote your music. Try GoRead.io today, and you’ll get more plays on your tracks in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you do SEO on SoundCloud?
You can optimize your SoundCloud by using popular keywords in your music titles, descriptions, and hashtags. Clarifying your song’s genre will also help the site promote it to the right people.
How do I promote my SoundCloud content?
Premium users can access SoundCloud’s built-in promo options. This puts your track at the top of a user’s homepage. You can refine this to make sure your songs only reach your target audience.
Do other music sites use SEO?
Yes, cloud music sites such as Spotify, Apple Music, and others also use SEO. This involves the same features (titles, playlist descriptions, etc.) for the most part. However, Spotify also lets its users search by specific lyrics.
Can you see your SoundCloud listeners?
You can measure your SEO’s success via your Insights page. This shows you the plays you’re getting over time. For deeper statistics, however, you’ll have to unlock a premium plan.