NetEase Cloud MusicNetEase Cloud Music4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
Hot take
NetEase Cloud Music is a heavyweight in China's streaming scene, boasting explosive growth in paid subscriptions (up 22.2% year-on-year) and a huge direct-upload community of over 773,500 indie musicians. The platform is investing heavily in premium features, better recommendation algorithms, and community building to deepen user engagement. However, ongoing copyright battles—like the near-removal of a massive K-pop catalog due to licensing struggles—highlight risks for artists and fans who rely on stable content availability. While monthly earnings per paying user are slightly diluted and its broader social entertainment arm faces decline, NetEase Cloud Music’s core music platform is more profitable and innovative than ever. If you’re an independent musician looking to reach China’s massive music audience and tap into a creator-focused ecosystem, there’s a lot to like.
How was this take was created?
Pros
Fast-growing subscription and revenue model
Large and active independent musician community
Continually expanding content library
Strong focus on user engagement and advanced recommendations
Profitability and financial stability improving
Innovative features for both creators and listeners
Cons
Ongoing copyright and licensing disputes risking catalog instability
Diluted average revenue per paying user
Lack of transparency on user and subscriber numbers
Portion of business in social entertainment facing decline
Key Features
Direct upload for independent artists
Personalized music recommendations
Large and diverse music library
Community engagement tools
Premium subscription options
Integration with short-form video and social features
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