As we close out 2024, it’s time to look back on a year filled with chart-topping music and exciting podcasts that captivated millions worldwide. Throughout this dynamic year, the Linkfire team and products empowered creators to connect over 1.6 billion fans with the content they love. Join us as we look back on our journey and share top moments, plus the trends shaping music and podcasting in 2025.
The sounds of 2024: Powered by Linkfire
2024 has been a blockbuster year for music and podcasts, with remarkable releases that captured hearts and charts alike. Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" redefined expectations, Taylor Swift enchanted fans with "The Tortured Poets Department", Charli XCX delivered the rebellious "BRAT", Billie Eilish bared her soul in "Hit Me Hard and Soft", and Post Malone’s "F1 Trillion" broke genre barriers.
The year also celebrated epic comebacks: Oasis reunited with a long-awaited tour, Linkin Park roared back with powerful new tracks, and Shakira’s "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" became an anthem of resilience.
On the podcast stage, Lemonada Media continued to inspire and engage listeners with thought-provoking series, including Sam Smith’s, The Pink House, blending music and culture with a fresh perspective. Meanwhile, Tenderfoot TV kept true-crime fans on edge with new episodes of the gripping Up and Vanished, while ARN by Heart’s Two Good Sports podcast earned multiple nominations at the Australian Podcast Awards.
Alongside these global icons, millions of independent artists and podcasters poured their creativity and passion into new albums and shows, proving that the heart of music and storytelling beats strong across every corner of the industry.
The engine behind the scenes: Linkfire’s impact in 2024
As 2024 unfolded as a record-breaking year for the creative industries, Linkfire stood tall as the engine behind the scenes. This year, we connected over 1.6 billion fans to the content they love, backed by a stellar customer satisfaction score of 97%, including two perfect 100% months.
But we didn’t stop there—2024 also brought exciting product improvements and new features. Here's a closer look at what's new.
Landing page designs
We introduced a sleek landing page redesign, bringing consistency and elegance across all link types—whether for releases, playlists, podcasts, or tickets. The result? A modern and consistent fan experience, tailored to reflect the unique brands of creators and artists.
One-click magic with Spotify pre-saves
Our one-click Spotify pre-save feature turned heads and boosted results, driving 140% growth in pre-saves. This shows how simple, fan-first innovations can unlock massive engagement for artists.
Bio links that do more
In Q3, we introduced the ability to embed release links within branded bio links, allowing creators to spotlight multiple releases effortlessly. This upgrade combined the flexibility of customized promotion with the power of Linkfire’s automation and analytics.
Merch block: From passion to profits
With our new merchandise block feature, creators can now showcase and sell products directly from their bio and podcast links. This addition not only drives revenue but also deepens fan connections by turning links into one-stop shops for music and merch.
New partnerships: Bandcamp & TREBEL
2024 was also a year of partnerships. Collaborations with platforms like Bandcamp and TREBEL helped our clients expand their reach and tap into diverse audiences.
Security you can trust
With updates like password rotation policies, Google login, and enhanced Single Sign-On (SSO) options, we’ve bolstered security while keeping the user experience seamless.
Navigating 2025: Trends from 2024 and what lies ahead
In 2024, the music and podcasting worlds were buzzing with five major trends that are already shaping the future. Here’s what we think will define the landscape in 2025:
Authenticity drives engagement
“For me, 2024 highlighted the importance of authenticity and a cohesive aesthetic in creating impactful campaigns” says Joss Acock, Senior Product Manager at Linkfire. “Charli XCX’s ‘BRAT’ rollout is a perfect example. By embracing a bold, exaggerated persona that felt authentically her and maintaining a consistent visual and tonal identity, she showed the power of fully committing to a clear vision. It’s a reminder that fans connect most with honesty and creativity over polished, cookie-cutter campaigns.” In a world flooded with content, the artists who stood out were those who dared to be themselves—honest, bold, and unapologetically creative.
Short-form content is dominating
TikTok continues to shape the music landscape. Ryan ter Heerdt, Label Manager at Dirty Workz, points out: "TikTok has become a key factor in turning tracks into hits. In the past, hits were made on the dance floor, but that's changed. Now, artists who understand TikTok and their niche audience stand out. However, this has led to shorter or more chaotic tracks designed to cater to TikTok's fast pace and shorter attention spans. While this isn’t yet the norm, it’s clearly a growing trend.”
Platforms are evolving toward cross-format content
“2024 saw a greater emphasis on integrating audio and video” notes Simona Lazeu, Director of Commercial Operations at Linkfire. “Key platform announcements like Spotify for Creators and Apple’s personalized discovery features highlight the increasing role of video and cross-format tools”. This evolution signals a shift in how fans engage with content—by providing richer, more dynamic experiences. The question of whether deeper fan engagement will occur on or off-platform continues to be a significant discussion point for 2025. As platforms merge formats, creators must think strategically about where their content lives to maximize reach and connection.
Alternative monetization streams gain momentum
Alternative income streams have become increasingly important for artists and podcasters, complementing traditional DSP revenue. Musicians found new opportunities through collaborations with gaming platforms and films, such as the Fortnite Chapter 2 Remix event. This event featured live performances by Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Ice Spice, and a tribute to Juice WRLD, attracting a record-breaking 14.3 million concurrent players.
Similarly, creator programs on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Meta, along with tools like Linkfire Wallet, have helped artists expand and diversify their earnings.
Streaming analytics continue to evolve
Both the music and podcast industries are moving away from traditional awareness metrics like downloads, streams, likes, and follows, toward deeper engagement data. As Ryan ter Heerdt points out, “The ad market is highly saturated and expensive.” making organic engagement and authentic content more effective. The focus is now on first-party data, including email addresses, sales, and basket sizes, which offer clearer insights into fan behavior. This shift prioritizes building loyal, engaged fanbases over chasing short-term metrics, driving long-term growth and sustainability.
A backstage pass to Linkfire team’s top moments and highlights from 2024
As a team that lives and breathes music and podcasts, we’re basically professional listeners. With 2024 wrapping up, we took a moment between jams and episodes to reflect on how we’ve rocked the music and podcast world this year. Here’s the highlight reel:
- We’ve clocked over 1.4 million minutes of music this year—that’s more than 2.5 years of nonstop tunes!
- 53 listens on repeat. That’s how many times, on average, we replayed our favorite songs this year. One teammate even logged a jaw-dropping 601 minutes of Spotify in a single day!
- Podcast picks. From exploring ancient history with Fall of Civilizations Podcast to diving into personal growth with iWeigh, our team's podcast playlists were as diverse as our interests. True Crime, tech talk, and storytelling were among the favorite genres. Some of us even admitted to hopping between podcast platforms—variety is the spice of life, after all!
- 11 gigs per person. From the dreamy vibes of Cigarettes After Sex to the raw energy of Fontaines D.C., live music pretty much defined our year. One team member even hit up 50 shows—someone give that person a standing ovation (or maybe a nap)!
- Three festivals each. We danced in the mud at Roskilde and got lost in the beats of Mysteryland and Draaimolen. Basically, we made magic happen—one wristband at a time.
- Our most-played artists? A little something for everyone: Brek, Charli XCX, Armin van Buuren, and Queen Bey herself. Call it eclectic or just really good taste.
Wrapping up 2024 with gratitude and excitement for 2025
As we say goodbye to a year of growth and creativity, we’re looking ahead to a 2025 full of possibilities. At Linkfire, we’re more committed than ever to empowering creators, marketers, and brands in the fast-paced digital world.
Throughout the holiday season and beyond, our support team will be here to assist with anything you need.
A heartfelt thank you for making 2024 a year of growth and memorable achievements. Here’s to an even brighter, bolder, and more innovative 2025!
