How to distribute to Amazon

If you're an artist, a record label, or a music app developer, distributing your music to various platforms is crucial for reaching a wider audience. One often-overlooked platform is Amazon. While many focus on Amazon Music, distributing music directly to Amazon can also be a significant avenue for sales and exposure. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of getting your music on Amazon, the benefits, and what to expect in terms of revenue.

Amazon is a global marketplace with millions of daily visitors. Unlike streaming platforms, selling your music directly on Amazon allows customers to purchase and download your tracks or albums. This can be particularly beneficial for artists and record labels looking to maximize their revenue per sale. Additionally, Amazon’s vast customer base provides an excellent opportunity for exposure.

To get your music on Amazon, you’ll need to use a digital distribution service. These services act as intermediaries, helping you upload your music to various online stores and streaming platforms, including Amazon.

Popular digital distribution services:

• CD Baby
• TuneCore
• DistroKid

• Ditto Music

  2. Prepare your music for distribution

  Before you can upload your music, ensure you have all the necessary components ready:

• High-quality audio files: WAV or FLAC formats are typically preferred.
• Album artwork: High-resolution images that meet the distributor’s specifications.

• Metadata: Information such as song titles, album name, artist name, genre, and release date.

  3. Upload your music

  Once you’ve chosen a distribution service and prepared your materials, follow the platform's instructions to upload your music. This process usually involves:

• Creating an account: Sign up for an account on your chosen distribution service.
• Uploading audio files: Upload your high-quality audio files.
• Adding metadata: Enter all relevant information about your music.

• Setting pricing: Decide how much you want to charge for your music on Amazon.

  4. Select Amazon as a distribution platform

  During the upload process, you’ll be given the option to choose which platforms you want your music to be available on. Ensure that Amazon is selected. Some services may have a separate option for Amazon Music and Amazon Store, so be sure to select the appropriate option.

  5. Submit and monitor your release

  After submitting your music, the distribution service will handle the rest. Your music will be reviewed and then made available on Amazon. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Keep an eye on your email for any updates or additional requests for information.

  What they pay artists/record labels

  One of the key considerations for any artist or label is the potential revenue from distributing music. On Amazon, music can be sold as digital downloads, and the payment structure typically works as follows:

  Revenue breakdown

• Digital downloads: Artists and record labels generally receive 60% to 70% of the retail price for each download sold. The exact percentage can vary based on the distribution service used.

• Physical sales: If you also sell physical copies like CDs or vinyl through Amazon, the revenue share can vary. Typically, you might see around 45% to 55% of the sale price after Amazon takes its commission and other fees.

  Payment timelines

  Payments from digital distribution services to artists and record labels are usually made on a monthly basis, although this can vary by service. Most services offer direct deposit, PayPal, or other electronic payment methods.

  Benefits of using Musicfetch for music promotion

  While Musicfetch is not a distributor, it provides powerful APIs that help you track and promote your music across various platforms. Here are some reasons why you should consider using Musicfetch:

• Unified music links: Musicfetch allows you to find and compile music links across multiple platforms into a single, convenient location. This helps in managing your music's availability and sharing it easily with your audience.
• Extensive platform support: Musicfetch supports over 25 music platforms including Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, and more. This ensures your music can be tracked and promoted effectively across all major services.

• Developer-friendly APIs: Musicfetch offers robust APIs that developers can integrate into their apps and services to enhance music discovery and link management capabilities.

  Conclusion

  Distributing your music to Amazon can significantly enhance your reach and revenue potential. By following the steps outlined in this guide and leveraging a reliable digital distribution service, you can ensure that your music is accessible to millions of potential listeners and buyers worldwide.

  While you're focusing on distribution, don't forget to use Musicfetch for tracking and promoting your music. Their APIs can help you manage your music links across multiple platforms, making it easier to share and promote your work. For more information and to get started, visit Musicfetch.

Check Amazon distribution with Musicfetch

Musicfetch can help verify whether a release is live on Amazon and other supported music services. Paste a track or release link into the music distribution checker to see where Musicfetch can find matching availability.

Amazon distribution FAQ

How do I check if my music is live on Amazon?

Use the Musicfetch music distribution checker with a release or track link. Musicfetch checks Amazon and other supported services for matching release availability.

Can Musicfetch find the distributor for a song on Amazon?

Musicfetch can infer distributor information when supported service metadata exposes supplier, label, copyright, or distribution evidence. You can also try the music distributor finder.

Does Musicfetch replace a music distributor for Amazon?

No. Musicfetch checks availability and metadata; artists still need a distributor or label delivery pipeline to send releases to Amazon.