Feed.fm has released its 2025 Music Impact Report, revealing how licensed music clips in short-form content apps influence user behavior, shape digital experiences, and create monetization opportunities for product teams. The findings are based on a nationwide survey of U.S. consumers who regularly share or create short-form content.
84% of users say it’s important to be able to add music to their social content. As short-form content apps compete for attention, licensed music clips are emerging as a key feature users rely on to personalize posts, express emotion, and stay engaged. The report shows that access to music ranks higher than filters or editing tools when it comes to enhancing content, with a majority of users adding music to their posts daily.
The report highlights a growing expectation for users to be able to create their own clip of a song with access to nostalgic throwbacks, trending hits, and mood-based discovery. 94% of users say music enhances the emotional impact of their content.
The findings also underscore the business potential for monetization, with 69% of respondents saying they would pay for premium app features if access to popular music clips were included.
For product teams, the implications are clear. Music is more than a creative boost; it’s a lever for increasing retention, conversions, and lifetime value. When music is limited, users report skipping posts, sharing less content, or abandoning the app altogether. When it’s available and intuitive to use, they create more often and stay longer.
The 2025 Music Impact Report offers new insights into how users experience sound in short-form formats and what apps need to build next.
Feed Media Group (FMG) is the leading B2B music streaming service helping innovative companies harness the power of music to drive engagement, retention, and revenue. Through our flagship product, Feed.fm, we deliver a unified music system (UMS) that integrates seamlessly into apps, platforms, and digital experiences.
The Feed.fm UMS handles licensing, curation, and streaming, enabling brands to legally use major-label music with zero friction. Our product suite includes Feed Clips, which powers sound-enhanced short-form content; Feed Radio, a dynamic in-app streaming experience; and Feed Originals, exclusive tracks designed to support wellness goals like focus, motivation, recovery, and sleep.
Trusted by top names in fitness, wellness, healthcare, and more, FMG makes it simple for businesses to leverage music as a strategic growth driver.