Starting Next Week Google Will Penalize Sites That Aren’t Mobile Friendly

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Don’t have a mobile website? You can’t hide any longer. (You may be noting that DMN doesn’t have a mobile site. This is something we’re working on.)

On Tuesday, April 21st websites that aren’t mobile friendly will be penalized. Google searches made from mobile devices will lower the rankings of non-friendly sites, and will boost the ranking of sites that are mobile optimized.

This applies to all industries and all languages, no one is safe from the new requirements. Around 80 percent of adults have smartphones, so these changes should only help you.<!–/*
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Nina Ulloa covers breaking news, tech, and more: @nine_u

The post Starting Next Week Google Will Penalize Sites That Aren’t Mobile Friendly appeared first on Digital Music News.


Source: Industry News

Spotify Can’t Pay an Artist. But They Can Pay 6 Different Lobbying Firms…

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Pandora has a gaggle of attorneys and lobbyists camping out at Capitol Hill, all pressing for lowering royalty obligations.  Now, Spotify is getting into the same game.

According to details just leaked by DC insider Politico, Spotify is now retaining the services for four high-priced lobbying firms: Forbes-Tate, Peck Madigan Jones, Gibson Group and BakerHostetler.

That complements an additional two lobbying firms employed by Spotify in Europe, according to the report.

But why, exactly? And why now?  Pandora’s entire business model hinges on government-mandated royalty rates and regulations, and major publishers are battling to undo age-old laws that limit their royalties.  Spotify not only has an online radio feature, but its on-demand streaming service also involves a range of royalty payouts, including mechanical licenses.  Beyond that, Spotify pays 70+ percent of all of its revenues to recording labels and content owners through open market negotiations, something it might be trying to change.

Then, there’s Apple, which is about to drop Beats onto Spotify’s head, and thousands of exclusives with it.

EU regulators are already examining Apple’s market power in this space, and the potentially unfair advantage.  That includes a bundled Beats, which could crowd out Spotify on iOS decks and steer artists away from Spotify, fair or otherwise.

Back in the US, Apple spent more than $4.1 million on Capitol Hill lobbying last year, and that’s just what we can see above the table.  Apple currently employs six separate lobbying firms: Bernstein Strategy Group, Capitol Tax Partners, Fierce Government Relations, Franklin Square Group, Glover Park Group and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.

 

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Source: Industry News

Believe Digital Acquires TuneCore…

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A couple independent digital distributors have consolidated. Label service company Believe Digital has acquired indie artist distribution company TuneCore. The press release describes it as a “partnership”, but it is an acquisition.

TuneCore artists will get access to Believe Digital’s wider distribution network and label services, with offices in 29 countries and a staff of 250.

Denis Ladegaillerie, Believe Digital Founder and President, says:

“The success of TuneCore, its deep commitment to independent artists, and the natural synergy between our services for artists, make this partnership a powerful force to propel artists’ growth. There is a tremendous opportunity for TuneCore & Believe to champion independent artists and their entrepreneurship, and together our focus will be to provide the best comprehensive services to a wider range of musicians around the world.”

TuneCore has paid out a total of $504 million to artists, though its broader business model has largely disappointed.  In heady days of last decade, VCs plowed money into ‘DIY’ artist distribution services like TuneCore, but a myriad of issues ultimately dampened revenues and prevented giant ‘exit events’ like IPOs and major acquisitions.  Believe’s more label-focused digital distribution segment has also faced serious pressures, which makes the consolidation less about growth and more about survival.

The post Believe Digital Acquires TuneCore… appeared first on Digital Music News.


Source: Industry News

App Shuffles: Michael Robertson, Musicyou, 8tracks…

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Musicyou

 
Musicyou, a music messaging app, has raised €300,000 ($320,386) in seed funding. Money came from Smart Equity and Brains2Market. The app lets users add music to messages on WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.<!–/*
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// <![CDATA[
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// ]]>Michael Robertson of MP3.com and MP3Tunes isn’t phased by a little legal trouble, he’s launched a new app called 6 Seconds. The free app lets users search all online radio streams for the specific song they want. It provides unlimited skips by skipping around to different Internet radio stations.

8tracks has signed direct licensing deals with INgroovesCD BabyDim Mak, and DashGo. 8tracks plans on signing deals with more indie labels and is working on agreements with the majors. Prior to this 8tracks relied on track uploads and SoundCloud.

 

Nina Ulloa covers breaking news, tech, and more: @nine_u

 

The post App Shuffles: Michael Robertson, Musicyou, 8tracks… appeared first on Digital Music News.


Source: Industry News