Short-form content is everywhere, and music clips are playing a bigger role than ever. To better understand what users want and how music impacts app engagement, Feed.fm published the Music Impact Report, a survey of hundreds of U.S. consumers who regularly create and share content.
This blog previews key findings from the report and explains why music is now a core feature for creators, a conversion lever for product teams, and a new opportunity for monetization.
How music drives emotional connection and app engagement
Music adds meaning. Whether it’s a celebratory eCard or a video update from a workout app, users rely on music to shape tone, set mood, and connect more deeply with others.
Apps that allow users to choose specific moments from songs see higher creative output and stronger emotional resonance. In the Music Impact Report, 94% of users say music enhances the emotional impact of their content, and 95% want the ability to select specific clips or moments from songs.
This emotional connection directly boosts app engagement. As the user-generated content market grows toward $9.85 billion in 2025, products that prioritize personalization and emotion will outperform competitors.
Users want better tools to create with “sound”
Today’s creators expect more than basic filters. Music clips have become one of the most important creative tools available. Users ranked them above video effects and editing tools when asked what makes content more engaging. From nostalgic ‘90s music clips to trending hits, creators are personalizing posts with sound. And the apps delivering those hits? They’re winning attention.
The report found that 84% of users say it’s important to be able to add music to social content, and 67% say music makes their content more engaging. Apps that don’t provide music clips risk falling behind on a feature that is now central to expression, shareability, and app engagement.
Even platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp are doubling down on short-form formats and audio features, while SoundCloud is testing a TikTok-style vertical music discovery feed, recognizing that music clips are a powerful engine for engagement and personalization.
Licensed music clips are a powerful path to monetization
Users aren’t just engaging, they’re willing to pay. 69% of report respondents said they’d upgrade for access to popular music clips. These licensed clips create recognition and emotional attachment that royalty-free soundtracks can’t match.
Whether it’s offering early access to trending tracks or unlocking clip libraries tied to holidays or moods, music becomes a monetization lever when it’s personalized and recognizable.
With Feed.fm’s unified music system, app teams can tap into this demand through a low-lift, scalable solution.
Apps That Prioritize Music Win Users
Music clips are not just a trend. They are shaping how users connect, express themselves, and make purchase decisions inside apps. The Music Impact Report shows that users expect familiar music, seamless tools, and more control over their content experience.
Feed.fm built Feed Clips to meet this moment. As the first fully licensed music API for short-form content, it offers pre-cleared clips from major-label artists, built-in analytics, and low-lift integration for product teams.
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