I want you to imagine a terrible music streaming platform. What does it have? Does it recommend you a new song every other blue moon? Can you get confused trying to do simple things that are supposed to be easy? Is the streaming service randomly un-downloading previously downloaded music? Does it have a slow at best, unfunctional at worst search bar? Unfortunately, most, if not all, of these characteristics can be applied to Apple Music  

According to Statista, 48.7% of the United States population have either an iPhone or related Apple products (Statistica). Everyone can safely assume that Apple is the leading brand in technology; so, according to MacRumors, why do Apple Music subscribers only make up 15% of people subscribed to a music streaming service (Hardwick)? The obvious answer to this question is… Spotify! From personal experience, Spotify recommends music tailored specifically to your taste and is gifted to you in abundance. It is also easy to personalize your playlists and share them with friends and the community at large. Finding music is also never a problem; Spotify’s search engine is fast and precise. Also, with help from the recommendations, I have discovered a multitude of new genres and artists every year, which has expanded my music taste and playlists. 

Na’Asia Goodman, a good friend and staff member of the HHS Rampage (who is also arguing why Apple Music is better), was impressed by my many playlists and wanted me to create the same with her music. I was over the moon helping a friend while doing something I love (listening to music) until I started to actually use the app. And I have to say; I wasn’t all too impressed. Actions that came easily and smoothly to Spotify’s platform did not come as easily to Apple’s. I found that doing menial things (like adding a song to a playlist) came with unnecessary steps and confusion that could have been avoided. And, as stated before, the search bar was slow to give results, if it gave any at all. And with the platform suffering quirks like this, it is no wonder why Spotify is ahead by 98 million users. 

Spotify has a sense of community and algorithm like no other. Their attractive and colorful looks draw listeners in, while the daily personalized music keeps them using. With it being the number one leading music streaming platform (by a long shot), I can rest assured that the general public has chosen it well and for good reason.