What Does the Star Mean on Apple Music? (A Full Guide)

Curious about the star symbol on Apple Music? Find out its meaning and significance in this article, along with how songs earn a star and where to discover the most popular tracks.

Apple Music has become a go-to platform for music lovers, offering a vast catalog of approximately 90 million songs across various genres. While the app provides an exceptional music streaming experience, it occasionally introduces updates that leave fans perplexed.

One such enigma is the appearance of a star-shaped icon next to select tracks on popular albums. This intriguing symbol has sparked curiosity among music enthusiasts, leaving them wondering about its meaning and significance. In this article, we will unravel the mystery behind the star of Apple Music and provide you with a comprehensive guide to understanding its purpose.

Table Of Contents

How Does Apple Music Work?

Apple Music stands out as a versatile platform that combines video streaming, music, and audio services. Developed by Apple Inc., this subscription-based music service offers a wide range of songs for users to stream on demand.

Similar to popular platforms like Spotify and Amazon Music, Apple Music requires a flat access fee, allowing members to enjoy their favorite tunes anytime, anywhere. With its array of features and extensive music library, Apple Music provides a compelling choice for music lovers seeking a premium streaming experience.

Meaning Behind the Star Icon on Apple Music

For Apple Music subscribers and users of the Music or iTunes app, a star system accompanies each song in your library. This feature allows you to rate songs on a scale of one to five stars based on your personal preference. By using this rating data, Apple Music's algorithms analyze your listening habits and musical interests to provide tailored recommendations for your next listening experience.

Moreover, Apple aggregates all the star ratings, enabling them to determine the most popular tracks across various albums and genres. Whether you explore the top-selling albums in your favorite genre or from your beloved artist, you're likely to come across songs adorned with a star symbol, denoting their popularity among listeners.

How Does a Song Earn a Star on Apple Music?

Back in July 2018, Apple announced on Twitter about the star symbol on their platform, leaving listeners to interpret its meaning. While no further clarification was given by Apple, it can be concluded that the Apple community associates star icons with the hottest tracks on an album. Additionally, artists can use Apple Music to discover the songs that average daily listeners are enjoying on the iTunes store.

How to Star Songs on Apple Music

To start rating songs on Apple Music, follow these simple steps.

Access Song Ratings: Open the desired song, and on the right-hand side, next to the download button, you'll find a cluster of five star-shaped icons. Hover over the area for them to appear.
Choose Your Rating: Click on the star that corresponds to your desired rating. For instance, if you believe the song deserves four stars, click the fourth star from the right.
Save Your Rating: Your chosen rating will be automatically saved. Should you wish to modify the rating later, you have the freedom to do so. Remember, nothing is set in stone.

Note: You cannot rate songs on Apple Music playlists created by others, but you can rate individual songs within your personal library.

Identifying the Hottest Tracks on Apple Music

Apple Music offers a unique section dedicated to listing the most popular tracks among its members. Within the platform, there is a dedicated section designed to help you uncover the songs that are being widely listened to by Apple members.

Navigate to the Artists segment on Apple Music, where you'll find an exclusive glimpse into music trends. The trending tag provides valuable insights, such as the song's average daily listens, including purchases and more! Additionally, you can use various filters to determine the preferences of different genders.

How to Disable Star Ratings on Apple Music

Apple Music offers a unique approach to song ratings, relying on user input rather than automatic assignment. Instead of stars being automatically assigned, Apple Music gathers ratings from its users. However, if you prefer to make your judgment without the influence of ratings, you have the option to disable this feature.

To turn off the display of star ratings on Apple Music:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iOS device.

Step 2: Scroll down and locate the Music

Step 3: Within the Library section, find the toggle next to Show Star Ratings.

Step 4: Turn off the toggle to remove star ratings from the app.

On the other hand, if you enjoy rating songs and want to contribute your opinion, Apple Music provides an easy way to do so. While playing a song in the app, follow these steps:

Step 1: Tap on the ellipsis button (three dots) to access the action menu.

Step 2: Select Rate Song from the options.

Step 3: Assign a star rating between one and five stars.

Step 4: Tap Done to confirm your rating.

Note: Your star rating doesn't have to be permanent. If you change your opinion about a song, you can modify its rating by repeating the process as many times as you'd like.

The Absence of Star Ratings in Old Apple iOS Versions

In the past, Apple iOS allowed listeners to rate their played tracks using star ratings based on their preferences. The star rating option was available in earlier versions of iTunes, allowing users to mark songs up or down with a few stars.

However, Apple has made changes and no longer offers this feature to its users. The ability to rate songs and mark them with stars has been removed by the company.

How Many Plays Does It Take to Earn a Star on Apple Music?

Among the most frequently debated topics on the Apple consumer forum is the inquiry about the number of plays required to achieve a star on Apple Music. Surprisingly, Apple has yet to address this query directly through any official statements, leaving users puzzled and intrigued.

Bottom Line

The star symbol on Apple Music signifies the popularity of a song among listeners. Users can rate songs on a scale of one to five stars based on their personal preferences, and Apple Music's algorithms use this data to provide tailored recommendations. The star icon appears next to the most popular tracks across albums and genres. Users can easily rate songs and modify their ratings in the Apple Music app. Additionally, Apple Music offers a section to discover the most popular tracks among its members, and users have the option to disable the display of star ratings if desired.