In YouTube, a topic channel is a channel that is automatically generated by YouTube when it receives music for an artist from a distributor, like DistroKid. Every artist who submits music to YouTube via a distributor will have a topic channel, and it functions independently of other artist channels that may already exist in YouTube.

You may assume that DistroKid created the topic channel you're seeing, but that's not the case! It's YouTube's way of handling the music we send them and making sure it's available to listen to in both YouTube and YouTube Music.

Topic channels allow your music to appear in YouTube Music, which is YouTube's music streaming service. If you want your YouTube Music releases available on your own artist channel as well as the topic channel, you'll want to request that your own channel (also known as an Owned and Operated Channel) be converted to an Official Artist Channel (OAC).

How Do I Enter an Existing Topic Channel on the Upload Form?

If you have an existing YouTube Music artist page, enter the YouTube Artist URL for the page in the YouTube Music section of the upload form.

If you don't have an existing YouTube Music profile, just select "No - [Artist Name] doesn't yet have an artist profile in YouTube Music," and we will request a new page for you.

My Music is on the Wrong Artist Page in YouTube

If your music was delivered to an incorrect artist page in YouTube, you can use our Fixer tool to submit a request to send any releases on the wrong artist page to the correct artist page, or even request a new artist page if needed.

Can I Delete a Topic Channel?

Since topic channels are created and managed by YouTube, DistroKid cannot assist with their deletion. However, if you do not want your music to appear in a topic channel or in YouTube Music, you can consider removing your releases from YouTube Music, or creating an Official Artist Channel.

You can reach out to our support team to remove your music from YouTube Music. Once your music is removed from YouTube Music, it will not appear in any topic channel, and also not appear in the YouTube Music platform.

Alternatively, if you have your own YouTube channel dedicated to your music, you can request that it is made into an Official Artist Channel. Doing so will merge your topic channel into your own channel, and the music you've delivered to YouTube through DistroKid will be made available from the new Official Artist Channel. For more information on getting an Official Artist Channel, please see this article: https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036924633.