Apple Music is a widely used music streaming platform created by Apple Inc. It gives you access to a huge collection of music, including songs, albums, and playlists put together by users and Apple’s own music specialists.
You can stream your preferred tunes on Apple Music or download them to listen offline. It works on different devices like iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.
What does the star mean on Apple Music?
The star symbol on Apple Music marks a song as popular or among the album’s most played tracks.
The star doesn’t mean the song is an Almost song, and it’s not about what you personally like. Its main role is to guide users to find and explore the most popular songs or the key tracks on an album.
As of now, there is no direct option to hide the star icon on Apple Music. The star is an integral part of the platform’s interface, designed to help users quickly identify popular songs. However, you can always choose to ignore the star if it doesn’t affect your listening experience.
How to star songs on Apple Music
You cannot manually add a star to a song on Apple Music, as the star is automatically assigned by the platform based on the song’s popularity. However, you can add songs to your library, create custom playlists, or share your favorite tracks with friends.
To add a song to your library or create a playlist, follow these steps:
- Open Apple Music and search for the song or album you’d like to add.
- Tap the “+” icon next to the song title or album cover to add it to your library.
- To create a new playlist, tap “Library” and then tap “New Playlist.”
- Give your playlist a name and description, and then start adding songs by tapping the “+” icon next to each track.
Apple Music vs Spotify
Both Apple Music and Spotify are popular music streaming services, offering vast libraries of songs and various features to enhance the user experience. Some key differences between the two platforms include:
- Pricing: Apple Music and Spotify offer similar pricing plans, including individual, family, and student plans. However, Spotify also provides a free, ad-supported tier, while Apple Music requires a subscription.
- Exclusive content: Apple Music occasionally offers exclusive content, such as album releases or live performances, unavailable on other platforms.
- Integration: Apple Music is better integrated with the Apple ecosystem, while Spotify is more compatible with third-party devices and services.
Ultimately, the choice between Apple Music and Spotify depends on personal preferences, desired features, and the user’s existing ecosystem of devices and services.
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Rating and Popularity on Apple Music
The star icon on Apple Music represents a song’s popularity, not a user-generated rating. In the past, Apple Music had a star rating feature where users could rate songs on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, but this feature was removed in later updates.
Now, the platform primarily relies on the number of plays, likes, and other factors to determine a song’s popularity and assign the star icon accordingly.
Apple Music for Artists
Apple Music for Artists is a platform designed for musicians and content creators to manage their presence on Apple Music.
With Apple Music for Artists, creators can access detailed analytics about their songs’ performance, including the number of plays, listener demographics, and more. The platform also offers tools to customize artist profiles, add promotional content, and manage releases.
To access Apple Music for Artists, follow these steps:
- Visit the Apple Music for Artists website and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Request access to your artist profile by searching for your artist’s name and submitting the required information.
- Once your request is approved, you can start using the platform to manage your presence on Apple Music and gain insights into your music’s performance.
FAQs
How does a song get a star on Apple Music?
A song receives a star on Apple Music based on its popularity, which is determined by various factors, including the number of plays, likes, and its overall performance on the platform.
Apple uses a proprietary algorithm to analyze these factors and assigns the star icon to the most popular songs within an album or playlist.
What does the E on Apple Music mean?
The “E” icon on Apple Music signifies that a song or album contains explicit content, such as strong language or adult themes. This icon helps users identify explicit tracks and make informed choices about the content they listen to.
How can I rate music on Apple Music?
Apple Music no longer has a star rating feature for users to rate songs. Instead, users can like or dislike songs by tapping the heart or broken heart icons, which helps improve personalized recommendations.
What is Apple Music membership for?
An Apple Music membership grants users access to the platform’s vast library of songs, albums, and playlists. With a membership, users can stream music online, download tracks for offline play, and enjoy exclusive content and features.
How much do artists get paid per stream on Apple Music?
The exact amount artists receive per stream on Apple Music varies depending on factors such as royalty agreements, distribution deals, and regional differences. However, on average, Apple Music is known to pay higher royalties per stream compared to other streaming platforms like Spotify.
Can I see how many times I have streamed a song on Apple Music?
As of now, Apple Music does not provide an exact count of how many times you’ve streamed a specific song. However, you can view your most played songs by creating a Smart Playlist in the Music app on macOS or by using third-party apps that analyse your listening history.
