🎵 TikTok Killed the Long Pop Song: Why 3-Minute Hits Are the New Normal 📱

Pop music is shrinking — fast. In 2024–2025, the average hit track is now under 3 minutes, down nearly 30 seconds compared to five years ago. This shift is largely driven by platforms like TikTok, where songs have just a few seconds to grab attention.

Streaming also plays a key role. Platforms like Spotify count a stream after just 30 seconds, so artists are packing hooks into intros and cutting filler to maximize plays and royalties. Viral success now often depends on how well a chorus fits into a 15-second clip.

Surprisingly, even Grammy-nominated songs are joining the trend. In 2024, nearly 1 in 5 Grammy-nominated tracks were shorter than 3 minutes, and hits like Lil Yachty’s 83-second “Poland” have shown just how far artists can go with less.

But not everyone’s on board. Some artists are pushing back with longer, story-driven songs. Billboard’s top-10 tracks in 2024 actually saw an average length increase to 3:40 — the highest since 2017.

So, while TikTok might be driving the bite-sized bops, long-form music isn’t dead. It’s just evolving — and competing with the scroll.