Distribution – DistroKid Help Center

Singles, EPs, and albums: which format should you release on DistroKid?

Streaming services automatically classify your release based on how many songs and its length.Here's the breakdown: Single:1–3 songs, each under 10 minutes. EP:under 30 minutes total or 1–3 tracks with at least one 10+ minutes, still under 30 minutes total. Album:7 or more songs. All three formats are uploaded the same way on DistroKid.Want more details? Here's the long versionHow to upload each format on DistroKid Uploading a song with DistroKid is easy and the same for each format. Before you start, make sure you have the following ready: Final mastered audio file (WAV or FLAC reco...
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Can DistroKid submit my work to MassiveMusic?

Yes!MassiveMusic has been the market leader in music delivery for more than two decades. Their infrastructure powers music across the world's leading digital streaming platforms, social networks, on-premise audio providers, and more.Think of MassiveMusic as the pipes. Their clients are the services your listeners actually use. DistroKid has deals with these MassiveMusic clients: Coda Vocana Mood Media Singa Turntable / Hangout AMI How to get your music to MassiveMusicTo get your music into MassiveMusic, select it right on the upload form when you release something new, or add it to an exist...
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How DistroKid Monetizes Your Music in Spotify AGC and CGC Videos

Spotify's Artist Generated Content (AGC) and Creator Generated Content (CGC) are two video content types on Spotify. They let artists and creators upload video straight to Spotify, and DistroKid claims and monetizes your music inside that video automatically, the same way YouTube Content ID works.AGC vs. CGC: what's the difference? AGC (Artist Generated Content) CGC (Creator Generated Content) Who uploads Artists (and their teams), through Spotify for Artists. Creators, through Spotify for Creators. What's allowed Music-centric, single-track videos: live performances, covers, studio ...
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How Long Does It Take for My Music to Be Available in Streaming Services?

It can take several days for albums to be reviewed, approved, and sent to streaming services. After that point, your release should go live once ingested by streaming services according to the rough estimates below: iTunes/Apple Music: 1-7 days. A very small percentage of albums go through manual review at Apple, which takes an additional 1-2 weeks or so. Spotify: 2-5 days Amazon: 1-2 days YouTube Music: 1-3 days Deezer: 1-2 days TIDAL: 2 days Facebook/Instagram: 1-2 weeks TikTok: 1-2 days Anghami: 1-5 days (some require manual review by Anghami's team which can take an additional 2-3 days...
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Uploading Cover Songs to DistroKid

DistroKid makes it easy to distribute your cover songs! We'll handle everything on your behalf, including sending payments to songwriters and taking care of all the extra legal requirements.With this cover licensing solution, DistroKid will secure a license on your behalf via third-party vendor. DistroKid compulsory mechanical licenses are secured by the Harry Fox Agency ("HFA"). Per U.S. copyright law, cover song licenses only provide legal coverage if the original song has already been released in the US, and the main elements of the original song (original lyrics, melody and title) remai...
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Can I Upload Songs That Are in the Public Domain?

Any song or musical work published in 1929 or earlier is in the public domain in the United States. You're most likely okay to upload your arrangement of a public domain song as long as there's no current copyright on the original work or the arrangement that you're covering, but public domain can be tricky.Public domain songs are not inherently free of all copyright protections. Although the original written music is no longer protected by copyright when a song is in the public domain, there are still copyrights that apply to recordings and other issues. No sound recordings are in the Unit...
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Can I Upload Music Made With AI Tools to DistroKid?

Yes—DistroKid accepts music created with AI tools, but there are some rules.All music uploaded to DistroKid must follow streaming services' content guidelines, whether created with an AI tool or not.That means:You must own the rights. You must own 100% of the rights, including the legal right to distribute music created with any AI tools, samples, lyrics, etc.No impersonation. Your music cannot mimic or copy someone else's voice, likeness, or identity without permission.No mass-generated spam. Music created solely to game streaming algorithms or flood platforms with generic content violates...
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The Countries Your Music Will Be Available In

Most DistroKid uploads appear worldwide in every country that the streaming services we distribute to support. Note that some services only allow users from the platform's local region to view their full music catalogue, and show a limited catalogue if accessed from outside that region.Some releases may not be distributed to all countries based on language, explicit content, licensing, and other various issues that are outside of DistroKid's control. For more information, see this article: https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/40475055020307.If you'd like to exclude your release f...
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Uploading Instrumental Music to DistroKid

It's possible to upload and distribute instrumental music through DistroKid as long as you have all rights to reproduce and distribute the music you are uploading.To indicate a track as instrumental on the upload form, select "This song is instrumental and contains no lyrics" under the "Instrumental?" section.Please note that you will still need to select a language for the release, even if it contains all instrumental tracks. You can choose whichever language you'd like for this. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Uploading Instrumental Music to Dist...
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Region-Based Music Catalogues

Some of the services DistroKid distributes to only allow users from the platform's local region to view their full music catalogue, and show a limited catalogue if accessed from outside that region. If you search for your release on one of these platforms and do not see it in the search results, it could be due to this restriction. Services With Limited Catalogues Based on RegionHere's a list of the services that offer limited catalogues if accessed outside of a specific region, and the region they must be accessed from to view the full catalogue:Saavn: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, an...
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Uploading DJ Mixes or Remixes to DistroKid

If you plan on uploading a DJ mix or a remix of a song to DistroKid, please note that you will require permission to do so from all concerned parties. It is not possible to upload songs with uncleared samples.You are welcome to upload remixes of your own work, either remixed by yourself or by another remixing artist. However, if your remix is of another artist's song or contains any part of another artist's original music, streaming services require permission from the original artist. Uploading a Remix of Your Own SongIf you are uploading a remix of your own song, you do not need to credit...
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Can I Upload a Sound-a-like?

No, sorry. Sound-a-likes--or cover versions, or tribute songs that sound verrry similar to the original--aren’t accepted by streaming services.Streaming services may also reject cover songs that too-closely mimic the original artist's name or album art. Even if the content doesn't violate laws, it may confuse customers. Which is why services may reject it. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Can I Upload a Sound-a-like?", "description": "Streaming services do not accept sound-a-likes or songs that closely imitate the original artist's sound, name, o...
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Does DistroKid Distribute Audio Books to Streaming Services?

No. DistroKid only distributes music. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Does DistroKid Distribute Audio Books to Streaming Services?", "description": "No — DistroKid only distributes music and does not distribute audiobooks to streaming services.", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013534694" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "DistroKid", "url": "https://distrokid.com" }, "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "DistroKid"...
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Can I Use DistroKid to Sell Ringtones?

No. DistroKid only distributes albums and singles. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Can I Use DistroKid to Sell Ringtones?", "description": "DistroKid does not distribute ringtones. It only distributes albums and singles to streaming services.", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013534894" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "DistroKid", "url": "https://distrokid.com" }, "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "DistroKid" ...
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Can I Use DistroKid to Give Away My Music for Free?

There is no way for DistroKid to sell your music for free in online stores and streaming services such as iTunes. Each release we deliver to stores requires a sale price, and it cannot be zero. For more information on setting a price for your release in the services that sell your music, check out this article: https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013648413. Giving Your Music Away Outside of DistroKidIf you want to make your music available for free to the general public, you might want to try Bandcamp.If you want to give your music away to radio stations, DJs, or friends, an ...
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Can I Upload a Compilation Album, "Various Artists" release, or "Split" release via DistroKid?

DistroKid doesn't distribute compilations or "various artists" releases at this time, nor can we distribute "split" releases. Currently, we can only deliver content where uploading artists list 1-4 primary artists per release, and at least one of those primary artists appears on every track within that release. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Can I Upload a Compilation Album, 'Various Artists' release, or 'Split' release via DistroKid?", "description": "DistroKid currently does not support compilations, 'various artists' albums, or split release...
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Can I Upload a Podcast to DistroKid?

DistroKid does not distribute podcasts at this time. You'll need to use an aggregator that specializes in podcasts if you want to upload one to streaming services. Here's Spotify's list of preferred podcast aggregators: https://artists.spotify.com/ help/article/getting-your- podcast-on-spotify You can also get your podcast on Anghami by going to anghami.com/podcasters and following the steps here: https://support.anghami.com/hc/en-us/articles/1260806765729-How-to-publish-my-Podcasts-on-Anghami. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type":...
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Can I Upload ASMR, White Noise, or Guided Meditation?

It is not possible for DistroKid to distribute music that classifies as ASMR, White Noise, or Guided Meditation.DistroKid is for solo musicians, bands, DJs, performers, and producers who record music at home or in the studio. You might want to try another distributor if you are hoping to release something that falls under ASMR, White Noise, or Guided Meditation.DistroKid also cannot distribute audio that is purely spoken word, like a speech or audiobook. We keep Spoken Word as a category for artists who upload music where the vocal style is 'spoken' versus sung. { "@context": "https://sch...
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Distributing Classical Music Through DistroKid

It's possible to distribute Classical genre music through DistroKid. However, please note that DistroKid does not currently deliver Classical releases to iTunes/Apple Music. All other stores and services will still receive Classical content, however.Please note that songwriter credits will show up as performers (primary artists) on Classical genre releases. This is not something DistroKid has any control over, as this formatting is handled by services, and not by DistroKid. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Distributing Classical Music Through Distro...
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Can I Upload a Comedy Album?

Yes!Comedy releases like this one are OK.Just make sure to select "Comedy" as the primary genre on the upload form. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Can I Upload a Comedy Album?", "description": "Yes — you can upload a comedy album to DistroKid. Just select Comedy as the primary genre when uploading.", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://support.distrokid.com/hc/en-us/articles/360024511434" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "DistroKid", "url": "https://distrokid.com" }, "author":...
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Do I Need to Pay the Cover License If I Upload a Parody?

Parodies of songs have specific requirements in order to be considered as Fair Use, which would not necessitate a cover license. When uploading a parody to DistroKid, you'll need to make sure it's actually a parody, and not a cover song or a derivative work.While only a court can rule on whether something is Fair Use or not, Harry Fox Agency (who handles our cover licenses) offers the following guidelines:If a parody takes aim at the original work itself, it is typically considered a true parody and is likely to be Fair Use. An example would be Weird Al's "Achey Breaky Song," which parodies...
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Can I Upload Short Songs?

It's possible to upload and distribute short songs through DistroKid, but each uploaded track must represent a full and complete song. Song snippets, clips, and ringtones are not allowed.Services may reject incomplete songs that are uploaded to DistroKid. If this occurs, you will be notified. { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Can I Upload Short Songs?", "description": "You can upload short songs to DistroKid, but clips, snippets, and ringtones are not allowed and may be rejected.", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://support.distro...
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Can DistroKid submit my work to Kuack Media?

Yes!Kuack Media is a music and video service for brands and content providers available in the Caribbean and Latin America. Leading mobile carriers, including Virgin and Digicel, use their technology to power branded streaming apps that reach over 200 million subscribers.Some of their branded streaming apps include: d’Music available on Digicel mobile devices in 32 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean Lola Music is available on Virgin mobile phones in Colombia Movistar Musica is available through Telefonica Internacional SA in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, an...
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Can DistroKid Distribute my work to Joox?

Yes!Joox is a new streaming and social service for artists available in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar.Joox is the biggest, fastest-growing streaming service in Asia with 3 million users.You can opt into Joox on the upload form, just make sure it is selected on the list of stores you want to distribute to.To add your existing work to Joox, go to your album dashboard(s), scroll halfway down to the list of stores/links your work is currently in, and then click "Add to more stores". From there, select "Joox" and then click "Add". { "@context": "https://schema.org", ...
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Sending Your Music to Pandora

Through DistroKid, you can opt into Pandora at no additional charge by selecting it on the upload form.Pandora has several services that we can help get your music into. Here are those services: Pandora (free) - Pandora's ad-supported radio service. Pandora Plus - Pandora's paid (no ads) radio service. Pandora Premium - Pandora's paid on-demand service, which works like most other streaming services. Once your upload is complete and your music is submitted to Pandora, they will review your music before it can be entered into their radio programming or streaming service. There's no gua...
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Submitting Your Music to Audiomack

Distributing your music to Audiomack is easy with DistroKid! In order to distribute your music to Audiomack, you'll first need to link your Audiomack account with your DistroKid account.To link your Audiomack account to your DistroKid account, sign into DistroKid and then click on the Features menu in the upper right. From there, click "Special Access," then click "Connect to Audiomack." You can also head directly to https://distrokid.com/audiomack-connect.From this page, select the artist you want to have linked, and then click on the "Connect" button. Make sure you are logged in to the co...
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Submitting Your Music to Snapchat

Snapchat has partnered with DistroKid to help build its audio library, also known as "Sounds" on Snapchat.To add your music to Snapchat, you can select it in the "Services" section of the upload form, and then continue your upload. If your music is already uploaded, you can add it to Snapchat by visiting the album page from your DistroKid dashboard and using the "Add to more stores" section.When you select Snapchat for delivery through DistroKid, you will be required to acknowledge that you own the publishing rights to your work. Artists are only eligible to submit their work to Snapchat if...
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Sending Your Electronic Music to Beatport

DistroKid offers distribution to Beatport as an Album Extra for all DistroKid releases in the Electronic genre. Beatport distribution costs $9.99 a month, and grants unlimited distribution to Beatport for all artists on your DistroKid account. If you have already purchased the extra on one release, distribution to Beatport will be made available for your past and future electronic releases at no additional charge.To send your music to Beatport, upload your music to DistroKid while making sure to select the Electronic genre and appropriate subgenre.Once you have selected the electronic genre...
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Delivering Your Music to TouchTunes

If you're interested in adding your music to TouchTunes, you can visit this link to opt in.While we can submit your music to TouchTunes, their catalog is curated based on industry research and popularity as it relates to their particular needs. Therefore, not all of the music they receive will be made available.Because we don't control the curation process, we're not able to provide information on which songs are chosen for curation, or how long it will take for those songs to go live in TouchTunes.To find out if you've been added to TouchTunes, you can use the TouchTunes app to search for ...
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