University of Chile study identifies musical factors for Spotify success

A study conducted by the University of Chile’s Department of Industrial Engineering has identified specific musical elements that influence song selection for Spotify’s editorial playlists. By analyzing approximately 25,000 tracks, researchers found that certain chord progressions and variations in sound frequencies are key factors in a song’s inclusion in curated playlists.

The research, titled ‘Simply Streaming or Streaming What’s Simple? How Spotify’s Playlisting Choices Affect Song Performance’, also noted that only 7.7% of songs manage to maintain their popularity over time. The findings highlight how digital streaming platforms have shifted the role of musical intermediaries, moving influence from traditional radio and television to algorithmic and editorial curation on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.