# Social Subscription Subscription models shift to include more interaction. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Jul 7, 2015 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/communal-subscription ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.2/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Social Subscription trend? **Social Subscription:** As competition in the world of multimedia subscriptions increases, music streaming services are searching for new ways to set themselves apart. Recognizing that listening to music has become a profoundly social experience, many services are opting to increase interaction, either between members, between artists and fans, or between brands and consumers. The success of this method reveals that consumers are regarding streaming services almost as a next-generation social network. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Nov 28, 2014 to Apr 19, 2016 - Published: Jul 7, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Social Subscription trend ### Social Music Streaming Streaming services increasingly differentiate themselves by increasing interaction and turning music streaming into a social experience. ### Gamified Music Consumption New gamified music streaming services with added fees seek to attract customers who previously wouldn't pay for music. ### Mobile Music Streaming Promotions Mobile providers offer music streaming as part of their promotions seeking to capitalize on the popularity of music streaming among Millennial consumers. ## What the Social Subscription trend means for industry ### For Music Streaming Services Streaming services must differentiate themselves by offering services that make the experience of consuming music social. ### For Retail Soundtrack Your Brand allows brands and retailers to control their store playlists through Spotify, helping to legally stream music while giving them control over the mood of their stores. ### For Telecommunication Mobile providers seek to capitalize on Millennial consumers preference for music streaming services by offering promotions that bundle music streaming in their phone package. ## Workshop question How can your brand employ the use of streaming services to enhance or market its products/services? ## Trend signals for Social Subscription Trend score 3.2 out of 10, from popularity 53%, activity 34%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 53% - Activity: 34% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Social Subscription trend 8 featured examples from Nov 28, 2014 to Apr 19, 2016. - [Brand-Based Soundtracks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/store-playlists): This Service Lets Brands and Retailers Control Their Store Playlists (Category: Marketing) Implication: Soundtrack Your Brand and similar services offering brand-based soundtracks provide disruptive innovation opportunities in the retail industry by creating better in-store experien… - [Personalized Music Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-milk): Samsung's Music Milk Provides a Custom Listening Experience (Category: Art & Design) Implication: With the rise of personalized music platforms, there is a growing market for music streaming services that offer unique and tailored listening experiences to appeal to individual… - [Trailblazing Music Subscription Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bandcamp): Bandcamp Enables Bands to Maintain Subscription Services (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Music sales platforms have the opportunity to adapt to the rise of subscription services and offer similar models to artists and fans. - [Messenger Music Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/line-music): The LINE Music Service Gives Mobile Users Listeners Freedom of Choice (Category: Marketing) Implication: Incorporating messaging app features creates an opportunity to differentiate from competitors and gain new users in the music streaming industry. - [Mobile Music Streaming Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/music-streaming-service): This Package Includes Access to Guvera's Music Streaming Service (Category: Tech) Implication: Virgin Mobile is a telecommunications company that is offering a music streaming promotion. - [Comprehensive Music Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-music-service): Apple Music Will Stream Music and Boost Artist-Fan Interaction (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing a new streaming service that combines personalized recommendations and direct artist-fan interaction. - [Gamified Music Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gamified-music): This Platform Promotes Each Artist's Album as an Individual App (Category: Tech) Implication: Potential for music streaming platforms to adopt gamification techniques and offer unique app experiences for artists albums. - [Expanding Music Streaming Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-play-music-podcasts): Google Play Music Podcasts is the Next Evolution of the Product (Category: Tech) Implication: The addition of podcasts to music streaming services offers a potential edge to differentiate brands and attract new customers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)