Jimmy Iovine argues platforms like Spotify are 'minutes away from being obsolete' because they fail to give artists direct communication with their audience. By forcing artists to use external social apps, they miss the core need of creators and risk being disintermediated.

To maximize engagement, streaming platforms algorithmically favor continuous play. This influenced artists like Post Malone to create sonically homogenous, 'blurry' music where tracks seamlessly blend, preventing listeners from noticing transitions and making them less likely to stop the music or switch albums.

To increase a song's virality, artists like Young Gravy strategically add short, spoken-word moments before a beat drop. These clips are easily sampled for video trends, like his song "Oops," which had a line that became a popular audio.

The necessity of using trending audio for a reach boost on TikTok has diminished. The platform now rewards organically shot content with original audio, which can perform as well as or better than videos relying on popular songs. This shift allows brands more creative freedom and reduces concerns over music licensing.

The platform's algorithm rewards instant gratification, pushing artists to create songs with standout, clippable sections like breakdowns or vocal hooks. Songwriters now often create these viral moments first and build the rest of the track around them, reversing traditional composition.

Due to the "TikTokification" of platforms, algorithms now favor a single piece of content's potential to engage anyone, regardless of who created it. This means sticking to a strict niche is no longer required for high views and reach, though it remains important for gaining followers.

According to Chris Black of the "How Long Gone" podcast, TikTok has become the most powerful force in the music industry. A single viral song on the platform can resurrect a musician's career from a decade ago, leading to platinum records, sold-out tours, and financial windfalls that labels cannot reliably manufacture.

When artists prioritize creating a 'memeable' moment for TikTok, they often sacrifice overall song quality. This results in tracks that get initial buzz but lack the replayability and longevity of a well-crafted song, ultimately becoming disposable gimmicks.

The algorithmic shift on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook towards short-form video has leveled the playing field. New creators can gain massive reach with a single viral video, an opportunity not seen in over a decade, akin to the early days of Facebook.