8tracks

8tracks is an internet radio that allows users to create mixes for others to listen to. It was founded in 2006 by David Porter, but it was not launched until 2008. As implied in its name, each mix must consist of at least eight tracks. Anyone is able to listen to mixes online, however, users have the option to create a free account in order to create their own mixes. There is also a feature called 8Tracks Plus, which is a subscription-based service without ads. This service costs $25 for a six month subscription .

Features

Tags

Tagging is one of the key features of 8tracks. Tags are words describing the music in a mix. These are typically genres, such as 'Classical' or 'Folk', but they can also be less traditional and describe events or emotions, such as 'Summer' or 'Sad'. DJs must tag their mixes with at least two tags before publishing their mix. This ensures that mixes are easily found and uniformly labeled. The tag feature is extremely user-friendly. To choose a mix, listeners can either search for a mood, genre, or artist in a search bar, or they can click on popular tags that appear in a cloud. When one tag is selected from the cloud, the cloud reloads to show similar tags to the chosen one. This feature helps listeners to find the perfect mix to listen to. Listeners may select up to three tags to seed mixes.

Tags‎

Social Media Integration

8tracks has integrated a variety of social media sites into its design in order to heighten the social aspect of the site. When a user creates an account, there is an option to log in with Facebook. In doing so, the user is able to effortlessly share mixes with friends. Apart from synching Facebook and 8tracks login information to share music, users also have the ability to share via Twitter, Tumblr, Stumpleupon, Google+, Pintrest, and email. 8tracks has a link to all forms of social media directly on the mix's image.

Not only can users share music over a broad range of social media, but they can also listen to music directly from YouTube. As a song is playing, there is a button that users may press to watch the video for that song on YouTube. The video is integrated directly into the same page as the playlist. Users can effortlessly transition from listening via 8tracks to listening via YouTube without interruption.

User Types

Listeners

Everyone is able to listen to mixes for free, with or without an account. Unlike other free music applications such as Pandora or Spotify, no ads interrupt mixes on 8tracks. Only visual ads are on the site. On the home page, listeners can either select multiple tags to sort the mixes or enter favorite artists to get recommended mixes. The range of tags spans from Folk to Dubstep and anywhere in between. Listeners can also comment on, favorite, and share mixes.

Example Mix

DJs

Anyone who logs into 8tracks can be a DJ. To create a mix, a user simply clicks on the link "Create Mix," and the instructions are clearly outlined. DJs can add a title, image, description, at least 2 tags, and at least 8 tracks. There are also boxes to check to mark the mix as unlisted, which makes it private, or not safe for work (NSFW), which hides it from users who opt-in to a filter. When a DJ uploads songs to the site, they appear in a list next to where the mix is created. There is also a list of tracks from SoundCloud that is provided by 8tracks for DJs to add to their mix. DJs can also follow their peers and be followed by their peers, furthering the social aspect of the site. Google+ and Facebook can also help connect DJs to friends through the site.

Developers

8tracks has a API for which developers can use to build an 8tracks player. There is also a forum where developers can ask questions to peers or staff . Both official and third-party apps are available for listeners to use. The API is fairly straightforward to use, requires an API key, and offers a variety of data which can be pulled to make an app. The official 8tracks apps are for iPhones, Androids, and Macs . In order to comply with copyright laws, developers must record and give the number of plays of each song to 8tracks.

Artists

Artists are able to promote their music on 8tracks with a special account that gives them an artist tag. They are able to create mixes with a combination of their own music and others' music, or to post full albums via a content-owner account. By using 8tracks to promote their music, fans have the chance to interact with the artists. Some notable artists who use 8tracks to promote their music are Metric, Bassnector, Carolina Liar, and B.O.B. .

Ethical Implications

Legality

In order to comply with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, 8tracks has licenses with ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC. Since the site is non-interactive, such compliance is able to hold. This allows the site to transmit publicly released sound recordings so long as certain conditions are met. For example, there is a limit on the number of songs by a certain artist during a three-hour time period, and the site pays royalties, of 1/7 of a cent, for every track streamed . Listeners are only able to skip an allotted number of tracks per hour, and the listener cannot determine the sequence the mix is heard

NSFW

Much of 8tracks would qualify as NSFW. Although 8tracks does have a NSFW filter, this does not guarantee that something hasn't slipped through the cracks, as it is up to the users, not the company, to flag content. Also, users must opt-in to the filter, and in doing so, every mix marked as NSFW is hidden. Many mixes on the site contain perfectly acceptable music, yet the image on them is very inappropriate, verging on pornographic. This causes problems because users who must filter playlists can only access a limited number of mixes. Users have complained on a forum on 8tracks, suggesting that the site changes the filter options to include blocking only a flagged picture, but keeping the playlist viewable . The admin's response as of November 2011 was that this idea was being worked on, but so far, no changes to the filter have been implemented.

External Links

• 8tracks Official Website