How to distribute to YouTube Music

For artists, record labels, and music app developers, distributing your music on various streaming platforms is crucial for expanding your audience. YouTube Music is a major music streaming service offering significant opportunities for visibility and revenue. This guide will outline how to get your music on YouTube Music, the benefits, and what to expect in terms of exposure and revenue.

Why distribute music to YouTube Music?

YouTube Music is a powerful platform for music discovery, with millions of users accessing it daily to listen to their favorite tracks. By distributing your music on YouTube Music, you can reach a vast audience, increase your visibility, and potentially drive traffic to your other music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Market share and popular regions

YouTube Music is popular worldwide, with a particularly strong presence in the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia. Its extensive reach makes it an essential platform for artists looking to expand their audience globally.

Steps to distribute music to YouTube Music

1. Use a Digital Distribution Service

To get your music on YouTube Music, you need to use a digital distribution service. These services help upload your music to various online stores and streaming platforms, including YouTube Music.

Popular digital distribution services that support YouTube Music:

• TuneCore
• DistroKid
• CD Baby
• RouteNote

Steps to use a distributor:

1. Choose a distributor: Select one of the digital distribution services listed above.
2. Prepare your music:
   • High-quality audio files: Preferred formats are MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc.
   • Album artwork: High-resolution images that meet the distributor’s specifications.
   • Metadata: Details such as song titles, album name, artist name, genre, and release date.
3. Upload your music:
   • Create an account on your chosen distribution service.
   • Upload your high-quality audio files.
   • Enter all relevant information about your music.
4. Select YouTube Music as a distribution platform: Ensure that YouTube Music is selected during the upload process.
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 YouTube Music.

What they pay artists/record labels

Understanding the potential revenue from distributing music on YouTube Music is crucial. Earnings are primarily generated through streaming royalties.

Revenue breakdown

• Streaming royalties: Artists and record labels are paid per stream. The exact amount per stream can vary based on factors such as the listener’s location and subscription plan. YouTube Music operates on a revenue-sharing model where artists receive a proportionate share of the subscription and advertising revenue.

Payment timelines

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

Conclusion

Distributing your music to YouTube Music can significantly enhance your reach and exposure, especially among the platform’s global user base. By following the steps outlined in this guide and using a reliable digital distribution service, you can ensure that your music is easily discoverable and accessible to millions of potential listeners.