Thursday, March 28, 2024

YouTube Music app makes official debut in PH market

YouTube Music, the official YouTube app built for music experience, made its official debut on Thursday, Nov. 14, at the 12 Monkeys Bar in Ortigas, Pasig City.

Photo credit: Mervin Wenke (Google PH)

The app will have a free and paid version, with the latter offering ad-free usage, background play, and offline download for content.

Since the app’s release last November 5 globally, Youtube Music has been downloaded more than 100 million times with a fairly positive response from users.

It is currently rated in the Google Play Store at 3.9 stars and features a Web player with the official songs, albums, and playlists. The platform also has a library for live performances, song covers, and music videos exclusive to YouTube.

According to Gabby Roxas, head of marketing for Google Philippines, the platform is a strategic choice for the country since there is already a big support brought by the Filipinos’ love for music.

The app is expected to address the need for a dedicated app among YouTube users who usually access their favorite songs and music videos at the site. Considering the library size of YouTube, the app is also expected to replace or compete with other music streaming services such as Spotify.

“The launch of YouTube Music here in the Philippines gives them a whole new way to enjoy the music they love and more excitingly, introduces them to exclusive covers and originals that they cannot find elsewhere,” added Roxas.

In the home screen, the recommendations algorithm will observe historical usage and even the activities of the listener. One of the highlights at the launch, meanwhile, is the accurate voice recognition of the app for Smart Search. Similar to how the app Shazam operates, users can search the song by simply singing the lyrics that they know and the song with matching lyrics will pop up.

“We’re proud that the Philippines’ rich musical heritage and talents have a home on YouTube and we’re so excited to bring it closer to our users with the launch of YouTube Music in the country. We built YouTube Music to help people find the music they love and offer a richer, smarter and more immersive music experience to music fans here and around the world,” said TJay Fowler, YouTube’s director of product management for music products. “From recommended music videos, live performances, and covers, to new videos – it’s all here, and only here on YouTube Music.”

Right now, signing up for YouTube Music will grant users with one month free of YouTube Music Premium, which priced at P129 per month.

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