SOCAN isn't just a website—it's a century-old financial infrastructure for Canadian music. With $35M in revenue and 511 employees, they've built a digital fortress that commands 60% direct traffic from creators who simply can't afford to lose access.

"When 60% of traffic is direct, you've built a monopoly on necessity, not desire."

The keyword strategy tells a revealing story. 'SOCAN' alone drives 8,890 monthly searches—brand dominance so strong it eclipses all other queries. But look deeper: 'register band SOCAN' (90 monthly) and 'SOCAN search' (520 monthly) reveal the friction points. Creators aren't just consuming; they're struggling to navigate a complex system. The 130 monthly searches for payout dates expose the cash-flow anxiety of working artists. This isn't a platform users love—it's one they can't afford to leave.

• 511 employees managing $35M = $68K revenue per employee—efficient but not explosive
• WordPress + modern frontend suggests digital transformation mid-flight
• 60% direct traffic indicates dependency, not brand love
• Top 5 keywords all transactional (login, search, payouts)—no brand storytelling