The Loss of Control and Visibility for Musicians in the Social Media AgeThere was a time when musicians had complete control over how they presented their music online. That time was MySpace. It may have been clunky, riddled with bad HTML, and responsible for some truly terrible profile designs, but it gave musicians something they no longer have—visibility on their own terms.Fast forward to today, and musicians are stuck in an algorithmic rat race. Social media platforms now decide who sees what and when, putting independent artists at a severe disadvantage.
The question is: did we have it best when we had MySpace?
The MySpace Era: When Musicians Called the ShotsIn the mid-2000s, MySpace was a game-changer. It was an open playground where musicians could create fully customizable pages, upload songs, post blogs, and interact directly with fans. There were no pay-to-play algorithms filtering content—if someone visited your page, they saw your music.Many artists credit MySpace with launching their careers. Arctic Monkeys famously gained traction through fans sharing their music. Lily Allen built a following through her MySpace page before the industry took notice. Even Skrillex started by sharing his demos there.
Hayley Williams of Paramore once said:”I remember the MySpace days vividly. We tour all over the world now, and I know that would not have happened had we not built this sort of community that we built online.”
The beauty of MySpace was that it didn’t matter if you had a record deal or a PR team. If people liked your music, they could find it, listen to it, and share it—without interference.
The Rise of Algorithms: When Control Slipped Away.
The decline of MySpace and the rise of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and later TikTok marked a massive shift. These new platforms weren’t designed for musicians—they were built around engagement, data collection, and advertising revenue.Musicians suddenly found themselves competing with memes, influencers, and corporate brands, all fighting for the same limited space in people’s feeds. Organic reach—the ability to be seen without paying—plummeted.
A study found that in 2012, a Facebook post from a band page would reach 16% of its followers. By 2023, that number had dropped below 5%, unless the post was boosted with paid promotion.The shift was clear: instead of fans deciding what music they wanted to hear, an algorithm made that decision for them.
The Cost of “Visibility” in the Algorithm Age.
Today, if you’re a musician trying to grow an audience on Instagram or TikTok, you’re at the mercy of a system that prioritizes what keeps people scrolling, not necessarily what they want to see.Pay-to-Play: Platforms push artists toward paid ads to increase visibility.Short Attention Spans: TikTok and Reels prioritize short, viral moments over full songs or deep engagement.
Loss of Customization: Artists can no longer craft a unique presence—everyone is stuck using the same format.Lack of Direct Connection: Social media encourages passive consumption rather than meaningful fan engagement.A Reddit discussion among musicians reflected this frustration:”MySpace made it very easy to connect with venues and other artists in real and genuine ways. It was a social network, but it also hosted MP3s, images, and blogs. A good music profile would act as a one-stop shop. Now, everything is scattered and controlled by algorithms.”
Are There Any Real Alternatives?
With social media platforms controlling visibility, many artists have turned to alternative platforms to regain control:Bandcamp: Lets artists sell directly to fans without interference.Patreon: Enables musicians to build a paying subscriber base.Discord: Fosters genuine community engagement without algorithms deciding who sees what.While these platforms help, they lack the discoverability that MySpace offered. MySpace was unique because it combined social networking with music discovery. It wasn’t just a place to chat—it was a place to find new music.
Can We Ever Get That Freedom Back?
The internet is a different place now. Social media companies prioritize data and ad revenue over user experience, and that’s unlikely to change. However, there’s a growing demand for platforms that give power back to creators.Recently, Instagram introduced a feature allowing users to add music to their profiles—essentially a MySpace throwback. But it’s just a gimmick, not a return to artist control.If musicians want to regain control, they need to rethink their approach to digital spaces. Building direct relationships with fans through email lists, private communities, and niche platforms might be the best way forward.
Final Thought: Was MySpace the Best We Ever Had?
Looking back, MySpace wasn’t perfect. It had its glitches, security issues, and an inevitable decline. But for musicians, it provided something that modern platforms have taken away—control over how and when they reached their audience.So, was it the best era for musicians online? If you care about authenticity, visibility, and organic growth, the answer might just be yes.