At Feed.fm we are always seeking to learn more about the powerful role music plays in digital experiences. Our latest consumer survey confirms that apps featuring popular music are enjoying the benefits of enhanced app user engagement including longer session times, more downloads, and greater user satisfaction.
In our research, we surveyed a diverse group of mobile app users, ages 18–55, across the U.S. The participants represent a broad spectrum of mobile app users, engaging regularly with apps such as fitness and wellness platforms, mobile games, social media, and other entertainment applications.
As a leading expert in music integration for apps, we’ve seen first-hand how the right music can drive app user engagement, user retention, and user loyalty. The addition of strategically integrated music to an app can make all the difference in creating a compelling and immersive experience for the user, making the app an essential part of their lifestyle.
Inside the mobile app user survey
Let’s take a look at some of the most important takeaways from this survey, and what we’ve learned about app user motivation, user behavior, and the power of music in apps.
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The power of music in apps
Users want to be able to select their favorite music directly through the app interface. In fact, 64% of users spend more time in apps that feature their favorite music. At Feed.fm, we’ve seen the impact of access to familiar, high-quality music in elevating the in-app experience and keeping users engaged more frequently and for longer periods of time.
Familiar music can improve our mood, energize us and lift our spirits. Think about how we turn to our favorite music to cheer us up or to get motivated for a challenge. Having access to favorite songs and genres as part of the in-app experience makes that app more valuable for the user and thus improves app user engagement, retention, and loyalty.
Future, a Feed.fm client, focuses on making personal training more personalized via an individualized approach, and that includes an in-app music menu. Music personalization is one way that apps can empower users and help them feel that the app is their own. As Future customer Megh Duwadi put it, “Future allows me to select a soundtrack for every workout and mood—an approach I vastly prefer to slogging through a limited number of pre-set songs.”
Music as a decisive factor driving app downloads
Personalized music options may even be a crucial factor in whether users decide to download an app at all. Among surveyed app users, 76% said that they are more likely to download an app if they can select the in-app music they listen to.
The desire for personalization is a common consumer preference across many types of apps, but especially within health, fitness, wellness, and media apps. For example, when it comes to workout music, many people have favorite genres and artists that they like to sweat it out with. We found that 64% of survey respondents stated that they are more likely to download an app with popular music compared to those offering generic tracks
Flexible music options play an important role in creating a unique app experience for the individual. Feed.fm’s unified music system (UMS) makes music streaming for businesses easy. You can quickly integrate a customized music UX, giving your users a wide range of musical choices. We take care of the music licensing, music curation, and tracking of plays, so you can offer expanded options to your customers without any additional logistical burdens.
User preference for popular vs. generic music in apps
Access to recognizable, popular music integrated into the app UX design creates a sense of instant familiarity and connection for your app users, driving higher download rates. The right music gives brands and app developers an important competitive edge. With fewer than 4% of apps surviving 30 days after download, the race for attention is fierce and first impressions are paramount.
Traditionally, it’s been tough to navigate music licensing for businesses, so some businesses opt for more generic music, but pay for it in lower rates of user downloads. Likewise, some music services have only generic music to offer, leaving app users dissatisfied and disappointed. Luckily, there’s no longer any need to settle for generic music for your app, Feed.fm can provide licensed, popular music quickly, easily, and affordably through its unified music system
Feed.fm’s unified music system provides a competitive edge
For app developers excited about gaining and retaining new users with high-quality in-app music, Feed.fm’s UMS makes it incredibly easy. The turnkey system is truly end-to-end, so there is no need to hire multiple vendors or “go it alone” at any step of the process. Key features include access to a music library of licensed popular tracks, a streaming music API that integrates seamlessly, and options for user personalization. With access to the industry’s largest pre-cleared music catalog, your business app will outperform apps limited to generic music solutions.
Personalized in-app music promotes music-led growth for businesses
We’ve learned that the in-app integration of popular, licensed music inspires higher app download rates, longer user session times, and increased retention over time, which in turn leads to music-led growth for businesses. Asensei, a fitness tech company that provides highly personalized coaching via an app using the combined information from their rowing machines, smart apparel, and camera data, found that user session times quadrupled when they started offering in-app music from Feed.fm.
The survey data is clear: app users spend more time in apps that offer their favorite music, they’re more likely to download those apps where they can choose the music, and they’re more inclined to download apps with popular music vs. generic music. Feed.fm increases music-driven engagement, and is the ultimate partner for companies looking to grow.
Check out the full report and learn more about what app users really think about music in apps, including why popular music matters, the ways in which music motivates users, and how offering users music choices can boost downloads.
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