SEARCH DATE RANGE

SEARCH TERM OR WORD

  • A new music analysis from TikTok shows that more than one in four songs in the German top 100 single charts in 2023 were first successful on TikTok, including hits from Ayliva, Luciano, Ski Aggu and international stars such as Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles.
  • The tracks were usually listed on the TikTok Hot 50 an average of 12 days before they entered the chart.
  • Both newcomers and long-forgotten hits of every genre have the chance to go viral on the entertainment platform and from there reach the German single charts - as the case study “Forever Young” by Alphaville shows.
  • 89 percent of users are convinced that artists receive more visibility when they are featured on TikTok.
 
It is no longer a secret that TikTok has a major influence on the music industry, but so far the knowledge has been based more on prominent examples than on concrete numbers. This is changing with a new music chart analysis from TikTok, which shows, among other things, that more than one in four songs in the German top 100 single charts in 2023 were first successful on TikTok. In addition, the study clearly shows how the TikTok community creates trends and thus paves the way into the charts for both newcomers and long-forgotten classics.
 
It wasn't that long ago that the German top 100 single charts were made up of songs that had either just been released by well-known stars or caused a stir in films and commercials. The situation has now changed and songs and artists that were only really known or rediscovered through TikTok are increasingly finding their way into the chart.
 

Via the TikTok Hot 50 in the German single charts

As part of an exclusive study, TikTok took a closer look at the German top 100 single charts from last year 2023 and compared them with the results of the TikTok Hot 50. 
 
The platform's top hits are determined in this format every Thursday and announced in the in-app Soundpage and in the music magazine MusikWoche. It turned out that a total of 27 of the 100 most successful songs - and therefore more than one in four titles - were first celebrated on TikTok in Germany before they ended up in the official German charts. The tracks were usually listed on the TikTok Hot50 an average of 12 days before they entered the chart.
 
How big the fundamental overlap is between the German single charts and the TikTok Hot 50 is also shown by the fact that 58 of the 100 songs could be found in both rankings. And because the TikTok Hot 50 is only limited to 50 titles, it can be assumed that the overlap would have been even greater if 100 titles had been recorded weekly. 
 
The artist Ayliva, who celebrated her first successes on TikTok, was represented in the German top 100 single charts with a total of five songs that had previously made it into the TikTok Hot 50. Other German artists like Luciano, Ski Aggu, Nina Chuba and Kontra K and international stars like Raye, Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles followed suit and took the same path: via the TikTok Hot 50 into the German single charts.
 
Ski Aggu says: “Thank you TikTok for democratizing the music market. Through TikTok, everyone can market themselves and is not dependent on large budgets from labels.”
The TikTok community celebrates the songs even before they become chart successes
The TikTok community plays a central role in this context: Using the example of three songs, TikTok analyzed how the community interacted with the titles before they climbed into the German single charts. The songs “eehhhyyy” (4K+ posts) and “how you sometimes miss” (3K+ posts) by Zartmann and Ski Aggu & Dauner became increasingly popular on TikTok several weeks before they entered the charts, which is reflected in both the video views and can be seen in the video uploads in which the tracks were used.
 
This development can be seen even more clearly in the example of Alphaville's “Forever Young” (1+ million posts). The song celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, but because the TikTok community increased the video views and more and more users incorporated the classic into their videos, the German cult band's title actually became a German chart single again. 
 
On TikTok, everyone has the chance to go viral This is exactly what characterizes the music cycle on TikTok: Newcomers as well as past hits or classics of every genre have the chance to go viral on the entertainment platform and from there reach the German single charts.
 
Chartlotte Stahl, Head of Music partnerships, EMEA, at TikTok, says: “TikTok has disrupted the way hits are created and in doing so, in a sense, started a democratization of the music industry. The community decides which artists become and remain successful. We are of course particularly pleased that we can also offer newcomers a stage and, in the best case scenario, help them achieve their breakthrough.”
New music content, especially new songs, artists and albums, is actively searched for and discovered on TikTok. They are among the most searched categories on the platform. 80 percent of all TikTok users say they use the app to discover new music and even 89 percent are convinced that artists receive more visibility when they are featured on TikTok.*
 
Overall, a good basis for continuing to produce the chart-toppers of tomorrow.
 
  • Quelle: TikTok Marketing Science Global TikTok as a Discovery Engine Study 2023 (Germany Results), durchgeführt von Material

04 Nov 2025 | Press release

Artists Rights Alliance (ARA) responds to UMG-Udio AI deal

ARA is hopeful that the newly announced settlement between UMG and Udio represents a positive step towards an AI licensing ecosystem built on the foundational principles of meaningful artist consent and fair compensation for the use of copyrighted works.  At...more

04 Nov 2025 | Press release

BBC Radio 6 Music announces its Artists of the Year 2025

Today (Monday 3rd November) on BBC Radio 6 Music, the UK's biggest digital-only radio station with 2.7 million weekly listeners (RAJAR, Q3 2025), Nick Grimshaw revealed 6 Music's Artists of the Year 2025 on his Breakfast Show (weekdays, 7-10am). Announced each...more

04 Nov 2025 | Press release

Scottish Alternative Music Awards 2025 Nominations Revealed!

The Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA) return to St Luke’s, Glasgow on Saturday 29 November 2025 for their 16th edition promising a vibrant celebration of Scotland’s diverse and boundary-pushing music scene. Hosted by BBC Introducing in Scotland’s Stephanie Cheape, the...more

04 Nov 2025 | Press release

English Teacher Frontwoman Made Leeds Conservatoire Fellow

Lily Fontaine, vocalist, lyricist and multi-instrumentalist in acclaimed band English Teacher, has been made a Fellow of Leeds Conservatoire. Awarded in an October graduation ceremony at the Royal Armouries, this accolade is an acknowledgment of Lily’s advocacy and impact on...more

04 Nov 2025 | Press release

Groundbreaking New Platform Dune Launches

Founders Pledge to Create a New Music Economy by Monetising Streaming in an Equitable Way for Artists and FansThe Hunna and BC Camplight Among First Artists to Join Offering A groundbreaking new online platform, which aims to create important new revenue...more

04 Nov 2025 | Press release

Proper Music Distribution Signs Hospital And Heavenly, Grows D2C Footprint

- Proper to manage fulfillment of Hospital’s Bandcamp and own online stores- To handle global (ex-US) fulfillment of Heavenly’s Bandcamp store- Bandcamp sales to be UK chart-eligible under both deals- Follows a period of rapid growth for Proper’s D2C division,...more

04 Nov 2025 | Press release

Women in Music UK Re-Launches with a Bold New Vision

Announcing Co-Chairs Trina Smith and Sarah Wilson Women in Music®, the non-profit organization originally founded in 1985 in New York, proudly announces the official re-launch of its UK chapter under the leadership of Co-Chairs Trina Smith and Sarah Wilson. The organisation’s...more

03 Nov 2025 | Press release

The Team Around You Launches — Connecting Artists with Vetted Music Industry Experts

Platform founded by highly regarded executive, Phil Loutsis, who has more than 15 years music industry experience The Team Around You, a platform connecting artists with vetted music industry experts on a consulting basis, has today confirmed its full launch on...more

03 Nov 2025 | Press release

New campaign to ‘demystify’ jobs in the creative industries for young people from working class and underrepresented backgrounds

  More young people from underrepresented backgrounds to be launched into careers in the creative industries as part of the Plan for Change  New research shows half of 11-18 year olds say do not know what qualifications are needed for creative jobs...more

03 Nov 2025 | Press release

Nelonen Media Live and Warner Music live strengthen festival partnership

Nelonen Media Live and Warner Music Live have signed a partnership agreement that deepens their collaboration in festival programming and artist bookings. As part of the partnership, Warner Music Live - a division of Warner Music Finland - will take...more

03 Nov 2025 | Press release

Greatest Hits Radio: Bohemian Rhapsody - Still our Number One!

  On the day it turns 50 the Queen classic has been voted the greatest hit of the 70s, 80s and 90sby Greatest Hits Radio listeners for the seventh year in a row     It's official! Just announced by Simon Mayo on his Drivetime show, Greatest Hits Radio listeners have...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

UK Music Video Awards 2025 winners announced

FKA TWIGS WINS BEST POP & BEST ALTERNATIVE VIDEO A$AP ROCKY’S ‘TAILOR SWIF’ NAMED VIDEO OF THE YEAROK GO’S DAMIAN KULASH ACCEPTS ICON AWARD, GABRIEL MOSES WINS BEST DIRECTOR, LUNA CARMOON NAMED BEST NEW DIRECTOR FKA twigs and A$AP Rocky were the...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Downtown Artist & Label Services Expands in Brazilian Phonk with Major Label Renewals and Viral Wins

Follows long-term renewal deals with Enarma Records and Polaris Records as well as the viral success of tracks from DJ FNK, TRXVELER, and DJ ANXVAR. Downtown Artist & Label Services (DA&LS) has deepened its commitment to the fast-growing Brazilian Phonk and...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Songpact Announces India Launch: Bringing Fast, Transparent and Accessible Music Contracts to Creators

India’s music industry is having its global moment. Streaming has reshaped listening habits, Indian artists are finding audiences far beyond their home borders, and the country is now one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets - with more than 185...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

BRIT Awards 2026: Stacey Tang announced as BRITs Committee Chair

New era for UK's biggest night in music as ceremony moves to Manchester BRITs Committee Chair announced as Stacey Tang Creative team for 2026 show revealed Awards categories & criteria evolve for 2026 Ceremony to take place at Co-op Live on Saturday 28th February     Following the...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group and Stability AI announce strategic alliance to co-develop professional AI music creation tools

  Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment and Stability AI, the leading independent multi-modal generative AI company, today announced a strategic alliance to develop next-generation professional music creation tools, powered by responsibly trained generative AI and built...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Applications now open for Manchester’s £245,000 Grassroots Music Venue Fund

Manchester sets a new national benchmark for local cultural leadership Music Venue Trust call on other councils to actApplications for grants open on Tuesday 28 October   Manchester City Council’s £245,000 discretionary fund to support the city’s Grassroots Music Venues is now...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Invests in Elements Music & Launches Creative Partnership

Collaboration marks significant milestone for the Finnish music industry Sony Music Publishing (“SMP”) today announced it has acquired a significant stake in the Finnish company Elements Music, as well as the company’s music publishing catalog of approximately 10,000 works. Additionally, the parties have established a...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

SourceAudio Promotes Weston McGowen to Global Head of Catalog Services

  SourceAudio, the music industry’s most widely adopted sync platform and a leader in AI music dataset licensing, has promoted Weston McGowen to Global Head of Catalog Services. He is based in New Orleans and will report to SourceAudio Co-Founder & CEO Andrew...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

The IMPF Global Music Summit receives honour at the AUPA! Awards

The Summit recently finished its fourth edition, attracting 650 executives from around the world.   The IMPF Global Music Summit Palma has been honoured at AUPA! Awards in Bilbao, Spain.  The AUPA! Awards are the closing highlight of BIME Bilbao (Bizkaia International Music...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Beatport and Youth Music Join Forces to Empower Young Electronic Music Creators

Beatport is proud to announce a new partnership with Youth Music, building on the success of Beatport's Diversity + Parity Fund and Youth Music's ‘Rescue the Roots’ campaign. Together, the two organisations are collaborating to support grassroots electronic music projects...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Dan Rosen to lead Warner Music Australasia & Southeast Asia

Unified approach creates bigger opportunities for artists in a region of over 550 million people   Dan Rosen has been appointed to lead Warner Music Group's recorded music businesses in Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - as...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Music Streaming Services Call On National Assembly of Québec For "Cultural Sovereignty with Listener Choice" Over Bill 109

DIMA – the Digital Media Association – representing Canada's leading music services including Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube, yesterday (October 29th) submitted evidence to the National Assembly of Québec's special consultation on Bill 109. The bill seeks to affirm the cultural sovereignty of Québec by...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Impala elects new executive board in Zagreb, holds first European independent music summit

IMPALA elected a new board and set its priorities for the next two years at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Zagreb this week. The meeting was hosted as part of RUNDA Digital Day, RUNDA Adria's annual conference supported by Merlin, which was represented by Shrina Patel, Merlin's Senior Director of Business Affairs and...more

31 Oct 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group N.V. Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025

  Summary Q3 2025 Results Revenue of €3,021 million increased 5.3% year-over-year, or 10.2% in constant currency, with growth in all segments. Recorded Music revenue grew 3.6% year-over-year, or 8.3% in constant currency, Music Publishing revenue grew 8.6% year-over-year, or 13.6% in constant...more

30 Oct 2025 | Press release

Anti Social Camp UK schedule reveal — pinkpantheress, glass animals, nathan sykes headline free major uk music festival next week

PinkPantheress, Glass Animals’ Dave Bayley, Jamie Cullum, Billy Bragg, Nicholas Petricca of WALK THE MOON, Nathan Sykes and 200 additional artists, songwriters and producers will kick off the inaugural Anti Social Camp UK presented by Tileyard November 3rd through 7th...more

30 Oct 2025 | Press release

SAY Award prizes made of repurposed skateboard decks unveiled with 1 week to go

With just one week to go until The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award announces 2025's winner, Scotland's national music prize has revealed a first look at this year's prizes – handcrafted by local Dundee makers No Comply, and made completely from...more

30 Oct 2025 | Press release

Warner Music Italy Launches Warner Records Italy and Atlantic Records Italy

Eleonora Rubini elevated to Label Director, Warner Records Italy; Marco Masoli upped to Label Director, Atlantic Records Italy  ADA Italy moves under the leadership of Renato Tanchis   Warner Music (WM) Italy announces that it’s evolving the structure of the company on its...more

30 Oct 2025 | Press release

Bandsintown launches marketplace with 30+ partners to help independent artists reach billions of fans and own their data

Bandsintown now connects its 700,000 independent artists with music distribution, CRM tools, and marketing partners like CD Baby, Community, Groover, Musixmatch, ROSTR, TuneCore — expanding on existing integrations like Google, Linktree, Shazam, Shopify, Spotify, Squarespace, and YouTube   Trusted by 100 million...more

30 Oct 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group and Udio announce Udio's first strategic agreements for new licensed AI music creation platform

Companies settle copyright infringement litigation and collaborate on groundbreaking new creative product suite  Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and Udio, an AI-powered music creation platform, today announced industry-first strategic agreements, under which the companies settled copyright...more

04 Nov 2025

  • Spotify responds to RBX lawsuit over ‘fake’ Drake streams (see Digital)

03 Nov 2025

  • Spotify perfected the business of distraction — and now we’re paying the price (see Features)

  • Remasters, deluxe editions and greatest hits show back catalogues are a goldmine (see Features)

31 Oct 2025

  • Universal Music Group and Stability AI announce strategic alliance to co-develop professional AI music creation tools (see News)

30 Oct 2025

  • UMG and Udio settle lawsuit; announce agreement for new licensed AI music creation platform (see News)

  • The last days of Utopia (see News)

29 Oct 2025

  • UK Music introduces 'Five Ps' guide to boost diversity and inclusion across the music industry (see News)

28 Oct 2025

  • Reservoir Media: A hidden gem? (see Features)

  • The music industry remains divided on generative AI. Where will that leave us? (see Comment)

27 Oct 2025

  • How fan power is reshaping pop (see Features)

24 Oct 2025

  • The “forever” stakes of generative AI ownership (see Comment)

23 Oct 2025

  • Lyor Cohen: AI won’t replace artists — it will make them unstoppable (see Opinion)

22 Oct 2025

  • Omdia tips music publishers’ revenues to hit $10bn this year (see Reports)

  • Unit1 Studio launches offering potential for immersive avatar concerts through lower production costs (see Digital)