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Customizable music app boosts downloads by 76%

As app stores become more crowded with millions of apps, companies are looking at what makes users choose one app over another. According to a study by Feed.fm, the app functionality is not enough, and app makers must create “an experience that resonates with users.” Feed.fm explains that music not only enhances user satisfaction but drives longer session times, higher engagement, and more downloads.

A survey of regular mobile app users aged between 18 and 55 has unveiled that 76% of users are more likely to download an app if they can select the music they listen to. Moreover, 64% of users spend more time in apps that feature their favourite tunes, and the same percentage of users are more likely to download an app with popular, recognizable music.

“In the next few years, expect the music and streaming worlds to get even more hyper-personalised, immersive, and interactive. Music will go beyond just matching personal tastes—it’ll be synced to your mood, physical state, and real-time data, creating deeper emotional connections and supercharging user engagement across fitness, health, wellness, and entertainment apps,” the report explains.

Music drives app engagement

Feed.fm explains that whether they are engaging in learning, meditating, or scrolling through media, users are more likely to “hang around” if they can “rock out” to a personalized soundtrack. Underscoring that the right music creates emotional connections, boosts session length and enhances focus.

According to the study, 76% of users are found to be more likely to download apps with customisable music, and this is flagged as a competitive edge that can set companies apart from the crowd. This helps app developers achieve higher user acquisition and app differentiation.

“The ability to choose their own soundtrack isn’t just a perk—it’s a must-have for today’s consumer,” highlights Feed.fm.

Furthermore, the business explains that “in the world of apps, generic, royalty-free tracks just don’t cut it anymore,” recommending the use of both chart-toppers to timeless classics instead of generic soundtracks. Feed.fm explains that popular music delivers positive emotional associations, instant engagement, and a competitive advantage.

TikTok, for instance, moved to take advantage of the power of music and recently reached a multi-year agreement with UnitedMasters to access its catalogue of tracks. TikTok’s commercial music library gives artists access to over 70 million brands on the platform.

Moreover, people are listening to more music than ever before, with the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry finding that, on average, people in 2023 spent 20.7 hours listening to music each week (up from 20.1 hours in 2022). Users also report that there are more ways to listen to music than ever before, as, on average, people use more than seven different methods to engage with music.

Marc Cervera is a freelance journalist based in Barcelona, Spain, with over four years of experience contributing to leading Spanish and international media outlets. He holds a double degree in Journalism and Political Science from Universitat Abat Oliba and an MA in Political Science from the University of Essex. Marc has lived in the US, UK, Spain, and the Netherlands, and his work primarily explores economics, innovation, and politics.