A few recent conversations prompted me to collect the things we consider when we decide to include a blog on the Hype Machine, and share them with you.
We take the process seriously, since it’s actually several opportunities at once. For us, it’s a chance to support writers we respect (by featuring them on our pages), and encourage others to write while supporting a model we think works. It’s also a chance to add another voice our users can trust to discover something new.
When looking at a new blog, we ask questions to see if it fits with the ideas behind the Hype Machine. We want to know why the writer or group does it. We want to know how long they’ve been at it, how they prefer to share their thoughts. We want to get an idea of what music they end up being attracted to the most.
We look for genuine voices; people excited about music, thinking, drawing, experimenting, creating. We want people who would blog whether or not they were listed on the Hype Machine. It’s easy to tell when something is forced to be a “music blog” — the words stumble out uneasily, and something just doesn’t click. To quote Bukowski, “if it doesn’t come bursting out of you/in spite of everything/don’t do it.”
We also make sure they don’t post full albums or do anything else that takes away from the artists they discuss (this should be obvious, but have to mention it anyway).
Most importantly, though, we want to know if the blog would add something new to the conversations already tracked on the Hype Machine. If that’s not the case, adding it is a disservice to everyone: the authors of the blog (as they’d drown in the noise of consensus of other blogs), the bloggers already on the site and the artists whose music they discuss (the noise makes it harder for them to be heard), and our users (why have more of the same?).
We usually will not add these types of blogs to the site:
* Official label blogs (though we love it when bloggers link to official blog posts with new releases)
* DJ blogs that feature their own mixes (they are all awesome, right?)
* Blogs that are run by promoters of parties, DJs or artists
* Web music startup company blogs
* Party photo blogs
One of the toughest things in this whole process is to get across that there isn’t really a right way to write a music blog, and our selection process doesn’t validate something as “Right”. There are plenty of things people publish that are awesome, yet don’t fit into the music ecosystem where we play. But we do think that our selection process makes for a kickass experience for everyone involved.
Anthony Volodkin
Taylor McKnight
Zoya Feldman
Scott Kidder
Arkadiy Kukarkin
More concisely: if your biggest concern after starting your blog is ‘How do I get listed on Hype Machine,’ then you’re probably not the type of blog that’s going to get listed on Hype Machine.
February 19, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
I’ve been wondering whether MP3s embed and hosted from Tumblr will play in Hype Machine. Are there Tumblr blogs on here yet?
February 19, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
Yeah, Tuneage is one: http://hypem.com/list/6621
February 19, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
What would be awesome for the hype machine rss feed for new tracks is a match up against songs I already have in my music library.
February 19, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
I need to read more Bukowski. That poem was excellent.
February 19, 2009 @ 5:32 pm
Definitely understandable. I very much appreciate what you do and someday hope to be a part of the site. You give voice to the artists that create from the heart rather than for profit or fame. Simultaneously you provide a forum for recognition for bloggers who exemplify the purpose of your site. Great job thus far. Best of luck in the future.
February 20, 2009 @ 12:41 am
Hypem is one of the few music sites that actively works towards a quality and reliability in the digital information of the content they present to the internet. For that you should have cred! Good work!
Only thing is I’m concerned about how many possible good authors that are being left out or perhaps even forever rejected after they couldn’t get onto Hype Machine. You obviously realize what an important source of traffic and readers you are, and it’s good that you’re making this power you indeed have to create something out of it.
Yet it does speak against you, and your beautiful principles and preferences in a blogger, that electro (or so-called bloghouse) blogs make up a considerable trunk or at least branch of the Hypem tree. As you said, there is no definition of a good blog, but I wouldn’t consider many of these electro blogs to be the first you’d use for examples of “thinking, drawing, experimenting, creating” and “add something new to the conversations already tracked on the Hype Machine”.
It’s more like “hyping, remixing, banging, posting” and “add something new to the mp3s already tracked on the Hype Machine” if you ask me, haha.
What is your view on this?
February 20, 2009 @ 1:44 am
how about independent bands (not labels) pushing their own music? can they get listed or does it have to be someone “talking” about the band… anyway wicked blog this one
February 20, 2009 @ 7:31 am
hey you made news at The Consumerist:
http://consumerist.com/5157361/hypemachine-saves-your-ears-with-free-tunes-from-music-blogs
February 20, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
Well, I’m not gonna lie: when I started my blog I really did think about how I could listed on Hypem. But when I didn’t get listed I sort of realized that I was going about it the wrong way. Since being rejected our blog has really changed directions and become more about making fun playlists and discussing the philosophical side of music. There are already so many blogs out there that have dedicated more time and have great content with free mp3’s that I have to agree we would have just been lost in the fray anyways. So now I don’t worry about it and we just write because we like to do it, and if someone stumbles upon a post, that’s great.
Keep up the great work– I love reading the blog (listing Grooveshark made my workday so much better) and just checking out the site. I’m still plowing through the 50 best albums of the year, too.
February 20, 2009 @ 6:40 pm
I wish I had time to properly write my blog, I really do.
Maybe during the vacation I’ll add to my solitary post so far, and maybe one day I’ll be featured in these hallowed pages.
You needn’t necessarily take it as a hipster thing to get “featured” on hype machine. Sure its a great way to get people reading what you’ve got to say but personally I’d take it as a sign that I’d “made it” as a blogger, that I’d reached some sort of acceptance amongst people. If I ever felt the majority of people (disregarding those who will inevitably do this) were accessing my blogs just to get free mp3s I’d feel cheated anyway.
Rather, I know a lot of the bloggers on here will have found being featured on Hype Machine validated their effort, rather than ticked a box for their cool wall. Which I guess is why they’re featured and others aren’t.
February 20, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
I love how open the authors on HypeM are to new music. I listen to a lot of new music but don’t personally have time to write one, though I’m sure it’d be fun. Yet, when I wondered if some of the bloggers on here would be interested in my own stuff, many turned out to be. I never felt like this small guy trying to send a demo tape to Columbia or something. It’s certainly great to be able to both listen to good new stuff and get feedback on your own.
Cheers to everyone involved and the machine team!
February 21, 2009 @ 9:07 pm
sorry, didn’t know where to post this - where does one report a fault? My dashboard is not loading my most recent favorite songs although my listening history shows the songs with hearts beside them… I’m really sad that hypemachine isn’t working properly…
February 22, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
I started a music blog back in December because I was bored, really. Journalism has always been an interest of mine, and I love to force my ideas down other people’s throats. If it hadn’t been for The Hype Machine, I would never have even known what a music blog was. I will admit, I have wondered on many seperate occasions how people get their blogs featured here…
Anyway, in many respects, I agree with The Lemur. It seems the only stuff you can find in any large numbers is Justice, Daft punk, Hot Chip, and all that pop electronic music. I am rather disappointed at this at times, as there is so much more awesome stuff that seems to only be posted on un-featured blogs. If you look for Superfunk, or Boxcar here on Hypem, you don’t always find it.
A problem I’ve had is that it’s hard to get readers. I mean, I really do love doing music blogs. But when I only get one hit a day after putting a half an hour into getting everything re-tagged and uploaded, and then another 15 minutes-2 hours typing up my thoughts… it kinda hurts just a little. Maybe you could consider keeping some sort of links list on the side that brings up a list of, I dunno, maybe 5 generic music blogs? I dunno
Anyway, keep it up. I understand your desires to keep Hypem a quality e-establishment.
-Boba
February 23, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
No offense to Hype Machine but getting featured on here is just a bonus to what I do. Sure I get way more traffic than when I first started, but I just love writing about music.
I’m slowly growing a fanbase and dedicated readers, but it be a while before I become as respected as some of my favorite music blogs.
I’d just like to thank Hype Machine for seeing my potential and letting people know about what I do.
Keep it up!
February 25, 2009 @ 4:49 am
One thing I could happily do without is the abundance of remixes on Hype Machine! I mean, do we REALLY need 200 remixes of MGMT’s Kids?
Surely the blogs posting these (and there are many) aren’t exactly ‘adding to the discussion’? All they’re really doing is clogging up the HM charts, blocking anything truly new and interesting.
February 27, 2009 @ 4:59 am
Wow, I had no idea that so much thought went into which blogs are listed in the Hype Machine. It’s a great honor to be here. Thanks, guys.
February 28, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
Thanks for the great work, guys.
Since I was included, I try to put more french music (I’m french, the blog is in french) to fill what I think is a big blank in the Machine cause we have great music in France, besides Justice, Daft Punk, Air and Phoenix that you all know. So the Machine helped me to make my blog better.
But I have to say that I agree with Steven, they are too many remixes, and even if it’s fun and sometimes reaaally great (ie: Girl Talk), it’s not interesting.
Anyway, MERCI for including me.
Loads of kisses from France !
(PS : a great thing would to be for us to be able to blip, via blip.fm, the songs included in the HM :))
March 1, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
I agree with what The Lemur wrote. For me, Hype Machine is an invaluable resource for discovering blogs and new music. But the majority of the content on Hype Machine seems to be electro/dance/techno. It’s probably relative to the number of blogs out there (it wouldn’t surprise me if there actually are more electro/dance/techno blogs than any other kinds of music blogs on the web) but it still doesn’t really mesh well with the principals you stated for adding new blogs to Hype Machine.
Nonetheless, Hype Machine does an incredible job of referring loads of web surfers to blogs that might otherwise go unnoticed by the masses. The blogs I have discovered through Hype Machine, and the blogs I am sure to continue to discover, are what really made me a big fan of Hype Machine. While you do make it incredibly easy to find all kinds of music, it’s the blogs that you have chosen to be included on the machine that really get me. So obviously, you’re process for including blogs is working for me. Thanks very much!
March 3, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
@RyanCatbird: How about if Hype Machine de-lists Catbird Seat? Would you still feel that way?
March 4, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
Everything you listed as negatives in blogs such as partee pix and DJ promoted parties is pretty much the quintessence of Hypem itself. I hope you were kiddin’
you guys are gey
and can’t catch on quick to anything.
You’ve become a yesteryear cliche looked down upon by your goggle predecessors.
but good luck in 2K9
March 4, 2009 @ 10:05 pm
where is hipster runoff? seriously, it’s one of the few music blogs that i read/listen to. and now it’s gone? WTF guys?
March 10, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Hey,
I would like you guys to read my blog, and if you like what im blogging about add it to hype machine.
Thanks
Heads Will Roll
March 11, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
Love the Hype Machine.
Keep spreading the music, it’s amazing what we can accomplish together.
March 18, 2009 @ 12:02 am
Just a little Q/
When you are choosing blogs to use on hypem, are the blogs specifically music blogs? My blog also has articles on art and photography, so would my blog be opted?
March 29, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
[...] is why we also manually approve blogs. I think even though the space is changing, it is possible to preserve the things that got me [...]
April 7, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
Don’t Believe the Hype Machine
April 10, 2009 @ 12:34 am
hope we get selected, but like you guys said, we’ll keep blogging if and when we do!!
April 14, 2009 @ 7:33 am
Is there no set criteria to be chosen?
April 21, 2009 @ 10:44 pm
so.. I have no to want me on the hype machine to be accepted? =O
May 4, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
So once you are rejected from Hype Machine, the rejection is permanent?
Is there no re-application process or certain amount of time one must wait to reapply?
May 6, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
Aww I got the thumbs down
Not to worry! I’m gonna blog like a swift beaver!
May 12, 2009 @ 4:15 am
Hey guys and gals,
Great site, ran into it as I was researching music blogs. Just the design and functionality is amazing, and not confusing. A genius idea overall. Thanks for the info and keep it up!
May 14, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
I got turned down…
It was my own fault because I applied when my blog was only one month old… What are the rules regarding the re-application process (if any)? It would be great if I could be considered again, my blog is 4 months old now…
keep up the good work guys!
May 15, 2009 @ 8:04 am
I understand some of Anthony’s ideas but others not so much… Why would Djs be excluded from the Hypem? Here are guys who have dedicated their lives to curating good music and they somehow don’t fit the bill as to what makes a good blogger? So many of my favourite blogs are run by Djs that this just seems so strange…. Top Billin and Palms Out Sounds are both run by Djs and producers and are some of the best sites on the net…. And they also break other rules too…. Palms out, before google decided to step in, used to give us the infamous remix sundays…. A whole treasure trove of remixes in one zipped up file with little or no commentary… ( And sure just like Brandon warned they did get hit with a crippling DMCA even if they didn’t deserve it) and a lot of it would be called blog house or at least what some of the commentators here might call blog house…. and yet who can say that remix sunday didn’t add to the conversation? The hundreds of comments alone left every sunday in reaction to these posts seem to disprove that. I assume that these guidelines are broad and that Palms Out is an exception, with other merits that trump its faults… But Palms out has been around for awhile… if they just started up today would they make it into hypem? Are these guidelines leaving room for another Palms out Sound to make it onto Hypem? I think most people write about music because they love to share their passion for music with others and no one can argue that hypem helps you do that… Hypem for many people is the ultimate music community. Having your blog turned down from that community, is not the end of the world but I can certainly understand why its so discouraging for people.
May 26, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Hey. This is a blog that I subscribe to in Google and I thought you guys should know about it. Awesomeness! P.S. love what you guys do!
June 25, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
http://thenewmusicbox.blogspot.com/
I guess I must have forgotten to give you the blog site. lol
June 25, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Thank you very much for providing this service. Your efforts facilitate thoughts, emotion and passion. Music was always intended for people. Music is embedded within the human experience because it compels us to move, and it compels us to feel. Our website serves the same purpose as we attempt to expose people to different genres of music through our daily selections. Thank you again for this creation. You are helping people all over the world.
Max Gibson
wineandbowties.com
June 29, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
More concisely: if your biggest concern after starting your blog is ‘How do I get listed on Hype Machine,’ then you’re probably not the type of blog that’s going to get listed on Hype Machine.
February 19, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
actually i’m thinking of setting up a blog BECAUSE of Hype Machine, as i’d like to share some of the really obscure electronic music that i’ve built up over the past 20 years. and quite a bit of it is darn good, so it’d be great to bring that music to a new audience.
During the 1990s there was a heck of a lot of dance music that was only released on vinyl in very limited quantities and has never made it to compilation CDs. thats the kind of stuff i’m on about.
hypem.com could be a way of bringing that music to a whole new modern audience - and hopefully earn those artists even more money than what they did in the first place, when they pressed 500 vinyl copies and that was it.
July 8, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
I have just submitted my blog and then having read this noticed that you do not like blogs which are linked to parties etc. Whilst the name of my blog is shared with my party and of course my events and mixes are posted to it I go to great lengths to make sure I posted mixes and music from all over the world and indeed post other people’s events too.
I appreciate that you will no doubt look over the blog and decide for yourself but certainly hope it will not be written off from the start. the blog has been going for roughly a year now and is maintained as a labour of love for myself rather than the sole purpose of promoting what I have to ’sell’.
July 16, 2009 @ 8:21 am
I agree with a lot of the comments above as I do honestly appreciate hypem. I think it would be nice to have it a bit more genre balanced. Where is actually the true Rock’n'Roll-aspect on hypem? And I don’t mean indie hipster bands. Among the top 100, there is one pop punk- (canyouseethesunset) and one punk (7inchpunk) blog listed. Thats not alot in my oppinion.
I think it would be nice just to have more Rock’n'Roll (with that I mean everything from Punk to Hardcore, Rockabilly, Emo, Grindcore, Surf etc.) listed on hypem, I definetly think there is an audience for that!
July 20, 2009 @ 8:53 am
Ok so let me get this straight:
You won’t list my blog because I promote events where I *gasp* actually play the music I’m writing about? Can someone justify this for me?
August 22, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Having your blog on Hype Machine is a privileged.
A privilege which I have not yet earned!
God Bless HYPEM x
August 25, 2009 @ 5:10 am
I write a blog that isn’t about writing about music, it is about sharing music that I spend hours finding with my friends, family and followers. I think it is sad that HypeM is more about Remixes than new interesting and game changing music. There is no doubt in my mind that my Blog should be on hypem, not because I feel I’m bringing some mass content to music lovers but because it allows people to get more music in one place. I’d like my friends on facebook, followers on twitter, rss subscribers and the like to be able to get everything they want in one place, that being HypeM…
Great site but opening it up for blogs like mine and closing it down on that 30th Electro/Remix Blog would probably help.
That way artists like Passion Pit, Miike Snow, The XX, Empire of the Sun, Fleet Foxes, Camera Obscura, School of Seven Bells and the like will see their original mixes on HypeM before the 10th mashup with Calvin Harris, Girl Talk and Fake Blood.
September 1, 2009 @ 12:05 am
how long does it take hype machine to add a blog? and do they notify you if your blog isn’t accepted? tnx
September 6, 2009 @ 6:50 am
Wow! I never knew there was a selection process for blogs on hypem.
I think the prejudice against DJs is a bit backward though. Seeing as it is DJs and producers, who are in this day and age, major contributors to the “musical conversation”, both online and in the real world. Seeking out and sharing music with others is the essence of being a DJ.
I can understand your motives for avoiding blogs who “self-promote”, but not all DJs make mixes just to get high fives. Most of them do it because they love to share the music they’ve discovered. It just happens that in a mix, the music is coherently woven together to create a journey of sorts.
Also, people who promote parties are also the ones at the core of local scenes, and by shunning these people, you are potentially stunting the growth of local scenes across the globe. In melbourne, where I live there are a number of “nu-disco” artists, canyons or fromage disco for example, who have made it big overseas thanks to blogs and myspace. But most Melbournians have little idea of who they are or what sound like, and have no way of getting behind the music that they produce or DJ.
Anyway, there’s no way I could ever say that its hype machine’s fault ,its just something that I’ve noticed a bit in my city, and seeing as you don’t like blogs who promote I figured there might be a correlation.
Those are just my thoughts. Carry on
September 8, 2009 @ 8:23 am
so how do you put blogs fwd for consideration?
September 8, 2009 @ 11:22 am
You can submit your blog for consideration here:
http://hypem.com/add
September 8, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
Hey guys just a quick question.
I run a blog that features a ton of music but other stuff too. I’m not saying we’re the authority on cool music or anything, but it’s a very big and important part of what we do.
Is there anything about your selection process that would exclude us? What if we provided a feed for just the music category for example.
Love hypem, and believe we do have something to offer.
Thanks.
September 28, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
“how long does it take hype machine to add a blog? and do they notify you if your blog isn’t accepted?”
^
October 11, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
All the same, its important for new bloggers to be listed on hypem, elbows etc because often this is the only way their work can get noticed. It is the best way for new bloggers to get heard IMO…
October 18, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
Dear Anthony and Hype Machine,
That was the most pretentious and offensive piece of writing I have ever read. It makes me not want to visit this site ever again. In fact, I will probably stop listening to music all together. Thanks for ruining my life.
Sincerely,
Dan Wilson (former Seattle Mariners catcher)
October 25, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
Well said, Dan Wilson. I too will abstain from music in protest of this foul selection description.
October 25, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
We’re small and don’t have too much of the newest music, but just got an exclusive release from a local Vancouver DJ… Check out http://www.sajw.org/2009/11/rob-paul-exclusive-release/ maybe you can post it on HypeM! =)
November 7, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
nomodestbear.blogspot.com is a great blog that deserves a chance! can’t understand a word he’s saying but the music is great
November 15, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
Hey hey,
So I am pretty new to blogging and I did not by any means start doing so in an effort to get on this website, or any website for that matter. However, a friend has suggested I check this out and after having a look around I must admit I am a fan. I will continue to check this out constantly and who knows, maybe one day someone will think what I write is perhaps worth sharing. Have a lovely day and even better music filled evening!
YEOW!
November 30, 2009 @ 12:20 am
Helllo,
I understand that the blog i submitted is a baby blog, we just started about 3 months ago. I’m fine with working on more and improving it to it’s full capacity, but i was wondering, is it ever possible to re submit a blog once you think it has reached that level?
Thanks,
Jesse
December 15, 2009 @ 4:17 am
I know this sounds silly but I can’t seem to logout of my account. Does anyone know how to do this??
December 18, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
BTW, when I hover over ‘Dashboard’, I do not get a list of options…
December 18, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
“one day baby…”
December 22, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
I submitted my blog way too early (only 6 weeks after creation), and that seems to be a common mistake. It’s impressive how a blog can be improved in a few months, when you spend some (considerable)time on it.
You don’t get banned after your submission is rejected, you can re-apply, after a certain amount of time.
Hypem is a great way for the visibility of your blog and they have made a great job with their site’s layout/functionality. And even if bloghouse is over-represented (thinking about the ‘popular’ tab), you can always find all kinds of music.
Ok, I’m gonna work now.
xoxoxo
JOE
December 23, 2009 @ 6:07 am
Appreciate your work. I really think HypeM is one of the greatest music invention of the decade. Keep on guys.
January 21, 2010 @ 4:01 am
Love your site. I have found several great blogs on The Hype Machine such as Music for Kids Who Don’t Read Good.
I hope to be considered for The Hype Machine at some point. My site, http://www.11songreviews.com covers slightly obscure musicians who have something to say and who move me personally.
January 24, 2010 @ 12:06 am
This is a great idea you guys have on your hands here. I actually stumbled upon this on twitter. I was just hopping around and then Bam Hype Machine caught my eye. It’s very user friendly and i can read reasonable blogs instead of useless rants trying to get heard.
January 24, 2010 @ 3:01 pm
hypem says they do not accept these blogs:
* Official label blogs
* DJ blogs that feature their own mixes
* Blogs that are run by promoters of parties, DJs or artists
* Party photo blogs
and yet there are blogs like:
-Trashbag Kids on here (obviously a blog that are run by promoters for anyone who bothers to look at it
-Culture of Me (a prty photo blog. just google it and look at the listings)
- Noise Porn (a label blog if anyone cares to read their posts)
- Stereogum (which is actually Buzznet, a myspace rip-off, a site specifically constructed not for the love of music, but as a tool to propogate data from the “community” specifically for marketing purposes. anyone in the realm of social-media marketing and internet marketing will know this at one glance.)
no offense to these blogs because they are still awesome in their own way.
but for hypem to righteously (hypocritically?) think including these kind of blogs fit their “requirements” and then refusing to support other smaller niche blogs who have been supporting djs and bands since way before they made it big - it’s kinda stupid.
and hypem says “there is no point listing another blog that talks about the same things.” and yet all the blogs on hypem DO talk about the same music. just click on any top 10 blogs on the list now and you can see that yourself.
wake-up people. hypem is not the only music site out there. all hypem is doing is creating an elitist clique so they can start selling ads at higher prices.
how do i know this? i work in social media.
February 4, 2010 @ 4:40 pm
djs and artists know more about music than the masses so why should they be excluded? these are people who dedicate their lives to music. your requirement of a fascist purity test for blogs will surely cause your demise.
February 9, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
I knew this would happen some day
February 9, 2010 @ 7:36 pm