The biggest story in music streaming this decade isn’t AI (not yet).
It’s how YouTube is quietly overtaking Apple Music — in key markets and demographics — to become the clear #2 DSP behind Spotify.
Just a few years ago, the race was Spotify vs. Apple. Before COVID, that was the entire narrative.
Meanwhile, YouTube was often dismissed — too messy, too ad-driven, and even lagging behind Amazon Music in some reports.
But the game has changed.
Apple still dominates in the U.S. and certain listener bases, but YouTube is growing faster — especially where the next wave of fans are discovering and engaging with music.
And here’s what matters most for artists:
This growth isn’t just about views — it’s about real revenue returning to artists and rights holders.
YouTube’s unique ecosystem — short-form (Shorts), long-form, and traditional music content — gives artists more ways to reach audiences and monetize globally.
In 2025, being everywhere doesn’t just mean being on Spotify.
It means building presence across YouTube’s full ecosystem — where discovery, fandom, and monetization intersect.
artistformula.com
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