# Artist-Supporting Music Platforms The SoundCloud Platform Added New Ways to Support Artists By Daniel Johnson | Published 2020-04-06 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundcloud-platform References: [engadget](https://www.engadget.com/soundcloud-direct-support-button-172323763.html) & [soundcloud](https://soundcloud.com/) The [SoundCloud](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundcloud-1) platform recently added a new feature that allows users to directly support artists. The new feature will help musicians who are unable to perform concerts due to COVID-19 and now rely on financial support through online platforms. In order to address this, the company added a button to pages on the SoundCloud platform, that will link to an artist's PayPal, [Bandcamp](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/community-for-music-lovers), and [Patreon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creatorcentric-billboard). This means that fans will be able to directly support artists through this uncertain time. The button will also be added to the platform for an indefinite amount of time. Above the new button reads an explanation which states, “The COVID-19 virus has impacted the creative community around the world. Show support for your favorite creators.” Image Credit: SoundCloud ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 16% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Artist-supporting Platforms:** The trend of platforms directly supporting artists who have been impacted by COVID-19 has potential for another level of disruptive innovation by developing new ways to support and showcase emerging talents. - **Direct-to-artist Support:** Growth in the trend of providing customers with direct access to support emerging talents has potential for another level of disruptive innovation by diversifying payment options with new technologies. - **Crowdfunding for Artists:** The trend of crowdfunding for artists will continue to disrupt the traditional music industry by providing musicians with alternative and sustainable forms of receiving financial support. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Music Streaming:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in music streaming could include creating new features that incentivize direct financial support to artists, or developing more personalized experiences for users based on their support of emerging talents. - **Online Payments:** The trend of direct-to-artist support presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the online payments industry by leveraging blockchain technology to create more secure and efficient transactions for customers and artists alike. - **Crowdfunding Platforms:** The growth of crowdfunding for artists presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in crowdfunding platforms by expanding their services to allow musicians to create and fund their own music projects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artist-Focused Subscription Tiers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundcloud-1.md) - [Hybrid Music Distribution Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundon.md) - [Simple Creator Support Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-me-a-beer.md) - [Collaborative Music Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tidal-collabs.md) - [Music Content Campaign Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/showcase-tool.md) - [Independent Artist Discovery Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/community-for-music-lovers.md) - [Creator-Friendly Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creatorcentric-billboard.md) - [Shareable In-App Streaming Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiktok-8.md) - [Music Platform Podcast Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spotify-2.md)