TikTok vs Spotify: How Hits Are Made in 2024

What makes a song “catchy”? It’s a question the music industry has wrestled with for decades, but new research suggests the answer isn’t simply about listener preference. A study from the University of California, Davis, published in February 2026, reveals that the algorithms and business models of platforms like TikTok and Spotify significantly shape which songs grow hits, often independently of what people initially enjoy. The findings highlight a complex interplay between user taste and platform curation, challenging the notion that popularity solely reflects public demand.

Platform-Specific Dynamics

The study, co-authored by researchers from UC Davis, Renmin University of China, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Tsinghua University, examined data from 2020-2022 from the Top 100 hit song charts on both TikTok and Spotify. The results demonstrate stark differences in what drives success on each platform. TikTok, with its roughly 1.6 billion monthly active users, is a breeding ground for dance music and indie artists. Its format, centered around user-generated short videos, naturally lends itself to songs that inspire dance challenges and creative remixes. This emphasis on user engagement is a key differentiator.

Spotify, boasting 675 million monthly active users, operates differently. The platform’s focus on full-length albums and established artists means that love songs and music from major record labels tend to dominate its charts. As Cuihua (Cindy) Shen, a UC Davis professor of communication and the study’s corresponding author, explains, “Hit song charts represent both user feedback and selections curated by the platforms’ algorithms that similarly influence users’ choices.” This dynamic means platforms aren’t just reflecting taste; they’re actively creating it by determining which songs gain visibility.

The Rise of TikTok and the Music Industry

TikTok’s influence on the music industry has been rapidly growing. What began as a lip-syncing app (originally Musical.ly, which merged with TikTok in 2018) has evolved into a powerful force in music discovery and promotion. Stereofox details how the platform’s ease of blending videos and sound has made it a champion of short, bite-sized content. Songs that go viral on TikTok often experience a surge in streams on other platforms, including Spotify, demonstrating the platform’s ability to drive broader music trends. The platform’s algorithm prioritizes content that keeps users engaged, meaning songs that are easily shareable and inspire participation are more likely to gain traction.

This isn’t to say Spotify is without its own influence. The platform’s curated playlists and algorithmic recommendations play a significant role in shaping listener habits. However, the study suggests that Spotify’s model tends to reinforce existing industry structures, favoring established artists and labels.

Algorithmic Curation and Visibility

The UC Davis study underscores the power of algorithmic curation. Platforms like TikTok and Spotify use complex algorithms to personalize music recommendations and determine which songs are featured in prominent placements. These algorithms consider a variety of factors, including listening history, user demographics, and song characteristics. While personalization aims to enhance the user experience, it also means that certain songs are systematically favored over others.

The researchers found that on TikTok, popularity was particularly driven by genres suited to the platform’s emphasis on user engagement and “dance challenges.” These challenges encourage users to create videos featuring specific songs and dance moves, amplifying a song’s reach and visibility. This creates a feedback loop: a song gains popularity through user-generated content, which in turn leads to more exposure and further engagement.

How Spotify Benefits Record Labels

The structure of Spotify’s streaming model also has implications for the music industry. As highlighted in a TikTok video by Matt Bacon, the platform’s payout structure often benefits record labels more than individual artists. While the specifics of streaming royalties are complex and often debated, the general consensus is that major labels are better positioned to negotiate favorable deals and leverage their resources to promote their artists. This reinforces the dominance of established players in the music industry.

Limitations and Future Research

The UC Davis study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of music popularity on TikTok and Spotify, but it’s important to acknowledge its limitations. The study focused on data from 2020-2022, and the music landscape is constantly evolving. Changes to platform algorithms or user behavior could alter the findings. The study primarily focused on the Top 100 charts, which may not be representative of the entire music ecosystem.

Future research could explore the long-term effects of algorithmic curation on musical diversity and creativity. It would also be valuable to investigate how different cultural contexts influence music preferences and platform dynamics. Understanding these nuances is crucial for fostering a more equitable and vibrant music industry.

What comes next involves continued monitoring of platform algorithms and their impact on music trends. Researchers will likely delve deeper into the specific factors that drive virality on TikTok and the mechanisms that perpetuate the dominance of major labels on Spotify. The ongoing evolution of these platforms necessitates a continuous reassessment of the forces shaping the music we listen to.