Exclusive Access: Apple Music Connect Returns, But VIPs Only

Apple attempted to launch a music social media platform called Apple Music Connect, which was ultimately unsuccessful. However, the concept has been revived as a set of marketing tools for record labels.

In 2015, Apple introduced Apple Music Connect as a platform for artists to engage with their fans. This followed the failure of the “Ping” social network launched in 2010, which aimed to be a comprehensive social media network within the iTunes app. Users could follow artists, see what music their friends were listening to, and stay updated on concerts and more.

Apple Music Connect, on the other hand, was designed as a social platform within the Apple Music ecosystem where artists could directly interact with their fans by sharing content like lyrics, photos, videos, and new songs. Despite these features, artists were not satisfied with the platform, leading to its discontinuation less than four years after its launch.

Recently, Apple Music Connect has made a comeback with a focus on record labels and music distributors. Now known as “Connect Redux,” the platform offers social templates for labels to promote their content on various social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

This new service serves as a centralized hub for promotional tools, allowing labels to manage marketing activities for all their artists in a convenient location. The tools provided are categorized into “Promote,” “Pitch,” and “Media Requests,” offering various features to assist record industry professionals in promoting their content.

• Promote: Templates for building momentum around a release.
• Pitch: Tools to get artists noticed by Apple Music editorial staff.
• Media Requests: Enables Apple Music to request publicity materials from record labels.

Additionally, there are tools available for creating badges, embedded players, and affiliate links. Apple Music Connect is part of the Apple Music Partner Program, exclusively accessible to those in the music industry. End users and indie artists can leverage the platform through distributors like DistroKid or CD Baby to access the tools. The Apple Music for Artists app remains a vital tool for artists to monitor their stats.

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