What do you think of it?

IMO it is utter nonsense - you buy a song because you *like* it, not because a website gives it prominence! Any subsequent gain is nothing more than coincidence.

I think it does exist to some extent. Some casual music listeners may open iTunes, see an interesting title or a song they heard on the radio on the bar on the right side then preview the song. If they like it they'll but it hence why the top 10 often is some bars ahead of the song at #11. Some recent examples of this are Super Bass and Mr Saxobeat. Those two songs spent weeks in the 10-30 spots on the chart and then as soon as hitting the iTunes top 10 they continued to climb into the top 10 of the chart.

I voted "moderate". The effect does exist :) The poster above explained it better than I could

Voted 'moderate', although it does wonders to some relatively unknown songs at times.

 

IMO it is utter nonsense - you buy a song because you *like* it, not because a website gives it prominence! Any subsequent gain is nothing more than coincidence.

It can't be nonsense for two facts:

1. Empirically it is proved that once the song gets into the top-10 after a VERY slow climb into it it sours pop-bars wise quite quickly.

2. The top-10 songs are included on the front iTunes page. It's basically free advertising! Why aren't you surprised that paid advertising has an effect on iTunes songs? This is basically the same in that case.

Voted for moderate too!

 

It can't be nonsense for two facts:

1. Empirically it is proved that once the song gets into the top-10 after a VERY slow climb into it it sours pop-bars wise quite quickly.

2. The top-10 songs are included on the front iTunes page. It's basically free advertising! Why aren't you surprised that paid advertising has an effect on iTunes songs? This is basically the same in that case.

 

Plus I completely agree with the above statement!

It varies from song to song I think. Like Skinny Love by Birdy went top 10 on iTunes, but didn't climb very much. But you see other songs climb loads when they get in. Like if, say, a Lady Gaga song randomly went top 10 on iTunes, everybody would rush to see what it was, so it would get a huge boost.

 

vidcapper is right that people only buy songs they like (usually), but people also only buy songs that they know exist. Being in the top 10 on iTunes puts you on the front page of iTunes, and it's great promotion for the song. I'm sure a lot of people bought Cannonball because they saw it in the top 10 on iTunes, listened to see what it was, then realized they heard the song on X Factor a few days ago, and that they really liked it.

 

There's also the fact that there's often a huge gap between #11 and #10. I'm sure the most common positions for songs to "peak" on iTunes are #1 and #11. Which is evidence for the top 10 effect.

vidcapper is right that people only buy songs they like (usually), but people also only buy songs that they know exist. Being in the top 10 on iTunes puts you on the front page of iTunes, and it's great promotion for the song.

 

But who visits iTunes just top see what's there? I only visit there when I'm looking for something specific, and I surely can't be alone in that?

But who visits iTunes just top see what's there? I only visit there when I'm looking for something specific, and I surely can't be alone in that?

 

Yes, you're probably not alone with that.

 

But at the same time there are some people that just "surf" iTunes. I've done it before. Just going around listening to preview clips, seeing the most popular tracks on each album, etc.

 

Not to mention, the top 10 is on the very front page of iTunes. It's not something that people have to go and search for.

Yes, you're probably not alone with that.

 

But at the same time there are some people that just "surf" iTunes. I've done it before. Just going around listening to preview clips, seeing the most popular tracks on each album, etc.

 

Must admit that at my age, looking for music still means visiting a record shop, rather than surfing a website. :P

 

None its a myth? How can that be an option when it is clear it does exist? :unsure:

This isnt really down to opinions, its more down with to do with facts and as we see when a song goes top 10 it gets a significant boost, and when a song drops to #11 it normally significantly drops. Ofcourse it depends what song/artist to the extent of how much we see the boost, but it is there, 100%.

(most recent example Lighters #10, now #8 and climbing.)

Edited September 23, 201113 yr by Karma

But who visits iTunes just top see what's there? I only visit there when I'm looking for something specific, and I surely can't be alone in that?

 

But when you go onto iTunes to buy something specific, the top 10 is right in front of your face. There's no difference between the massive banner ads on the front of iTunes and the song being top 10 apart from the former is more eye-catching. Saying the top 10 effect doesn't exist when it's been demonstrated constantly that it does, regardless of why, is like saying gravity doesn't exist.

None its a myth? How can that be an option when it is clear it does exist? :unsure:

 

It's an option, because not everyone believes in it (OK, that's a bit of a circular argument, but still...) :P

 

Also, it cannot be proven statistically.

It's an option, because not everyone believes in it (OK, that's a bit of a circular argument, but still...) :P

 

Also, it cannot be proven statistically.

 

Denying its there though lacks any logic, you can clearly see its there :wacko:

Denying its there though lacks any logic, you can clearly see its there :wacko:

 

This reminds me of when I used to post to religious newsgroups... :lol:

I think it varies, though I don't think you could argue that there was no effect whatsoever. Obviously for more unknown singles that have widespread appeal the effect is more pronounced - Christina Perri probably a good example of that. People won't buy a song because its appeared in the Top 10, so fanbase buys that get a single there will not see much (if any) effect on sales, however because the song has more exposure once it is in the Top 10, there will often be a surge in sales if people like the song.

 

Voted for moderate though, but I wish there was a 'it varies' option available!

Anyway, you do realise this is the second time you've made this thread, yes?

 

http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=129236

 

Whoops, I linked to the wrong thread. I blame being ill. :blush: I'm pretty sure you've made this thread before anyway.

Edited September 23, 201113 yr by Bré

This reminds me of when I used to post to religious newsgroups... :lol:

 

Religion & iTunes..hmm a little different.

 

Yeah Bre i'm sure i've seen this thread before.

Must admit that at my age, looking for music still means visiting a record shop, rather than surfing a website. :P

An online shop works almost exactly like a normal shop on the street. You click there for a particular product but in the end you just check what else is there. That's why the top 10 on the front page has a huge promotion value.

 

"Oh I didn't know that song is already out, I just check it and buy it."

 

 

But who visits iTunes just top see what's there? I only visit there when I'm looking for something specific, and I surely can't be alone in that?

 

You're not alone but you're not right either.

 

I often visit the iTunes store just to check what new releases have been added. But just think about the women (or gay people too), they love to shop and they just go into a shop not for a particular thing but to check what is on offer and what is new, maybe they can find something attractive.

IMO it is utter nonsense - you buy a song because you *like* it, not because a website gives it prominence! Any subsequent gain is nothing more than coincidence.

 

That is saying that exposure, advertisement and promotion do nothing. People buy a song because they like it, but in order to like it, they first have to know it. As Bre said, the top 10 is featured on the hompage so more people are enclined to see it (and maybe listen to the clips).

 

I sometimes do the same thing with movies. When I don't know what movie to buy, I look for what's out at the moment and the top 10 on Itunes is a quick indication of that. Doesn't mean I will necessarily buy one of the movies in the top 10, but it will get my attention first.