Remember Apple’s unsuccessful music social media platform, Apple Music Connect? Well, it’s back — but this time, it’s geared towards providing marketing tools for record labels.
In 2015, Apple introduced Apple Music Connect as a way for artists to engage with their fans. This followed the failure of Apple’s previous attempt at a music-centered social network called “Ping,” which was launched in 2010 but quickly fizzled out.
Ping aimed to be a comprehensive social media platform integrated into the iTunes app, allowing users to follow artists, see their friends’ music preferences, upcoming concerts, and more. In contrast, Apple Music Connect was focused on artists within the Apple Music ecosystem, enabling them to share content directly with fans. However, artists found the platform lacking, leading to its shutdown within four years.
Recently, Apple Music Connect reemerged with a new focus on record labels and music distributors. Renamed “Connect Redux,” the service now offers social templates for labels to promote their content on various social media platforms.
Introducing Apple Music Connect.
A resource for labels and distributors to promote content, pitch priority releases, upload press photos, and create beautiful marketing assets—for all your artists—all in one place.
This revamped service serves as a centralized hub for promotional tools, including templates for building momentum around releases, pitching new music to Apple Music editorial staff, and handling media requests.
Additionally, there are features for creating badges, embedded players, and affiliate links. Apple Music Connect is part of the Apple Music Partner Program, accessible only to industry professionals.
End users and independent artists cannot apply directly but can access the tools through distributors like DistroKid or CD Baby. The Apple Music for Artists app remains the primary tool for artists to monitor their performance metrics.
