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Supply Chains

At the recent YouTube Made On event, the company introduced three innovative features for YouTube Music aimed at enhancing the bond between artists and their devoted fans.

One standout feature allows users to kick off a countdown for upcoming releases, enabling them to pre-save their favorite tracks or albums ahead of time. This countdown timer will be prominently displayed on the album detail page, artist profile, and album shelf. Set to launch later this year, this feature is designed to generate excitement leading up to release dates, reminiscent of Spotify‘s Countdown Pages.

Starting early next year, artists will have the opportunity to connect with their most loyal supporters by sharing exclusive “thank you” videos, akin to those featured in Spotify’s year-end Wrapped experience. This will also include behind-the-scenes clips and other engaging content, fostering a more personal relationship between fans and their favorite artists.

Additionally, YouTube Music is piloting a program for U.S. listeners that will grant access to exclusive merchandise drops from artists. Similarly, Spotify has been hinting at a program for “super fans” that may offer comparable features.

This announcement comes on the heels of YouTube Music’s recent rollout of new features last month, celebrating the platform’s 10th anniversary. These updates included collaborative playlists that merge the musical tastes of multiple users, badges, and the ability to comment directly on albums and playlists.