Difference between Pop, Soft AC, and Rock music genres? (electronic, song, meaning)

[Phoenix2017]

Could someone please clarify or compare, what you feel are the major differences between the Pop, Soft AC, and Rock music genres? For example, is Pop simply defined mostly as "Top-40" music, at any given time -- meaning, the most popular songs playing on the radio at a specific point in time? Futher, is Soft AC a sub-set of Pop music, or Rock Music, given that "Soft AC" and "Soft Rock" could conceivably be similar and slightly different names for the same musical style? Also for that matter, how are Pop and Rock music related, if at all? (i.e., is "Hard AC" Rock or Pop, or both?)

Any feedback anyone could please provide would be extremely helpful, and much-appreciated...thanks for your thoughts!

[soupson1]

The term "pop music" usually refers to light, safe, sanitized ultra-commercial rock. Rock crested in the 1970s, then began a slow decline as two new African American genres emerged, dance/electronica and hip-hop.

[BigSwede]

What is AC?
Do you perhaps mean AOR?

[Phoenix2017]

Originally Posted by soupson1

The term "pop music" usually refers to light, safe, sanitized ultra-commercial rock. Rock crested in the 1970s, then began a slow decline as two new African American genres emerged, dance/electronica and hip-hop.

Many thanks for providing the very interesting and intriguing background info!

[Phoenix2017]

Originally Posted by BigSwede

What is AC?
Do you perhaps mean AOR?

"AC" = "Adult Contemporary" [music]