How does Monetization work on SoundCloud?

Monetization on SoundCloud can generally happen in three different ways:

1. Directly by the artist
2. Through the supply chain
3. Manual uploads, which are later monetized by a rightsholder

Let's break it down:

Directly by the artist

You can monetize your manually uploaded tracks via SoundCloud for Artists. There are a few criteria that have to be met in order to monetize content yourself. Here’s a guide on how to do just that.

Through the supply chain

You might have content on your SoundCloud profile that belongs to you but has been uploaded by SoundCloud. This type of content is called ‘ingested content’ – or ‘supply chain content’ – and this is the content that rightsholders/digital distributors deliver to the platform. Your rightsholder(s) manage this content, and you are unable to make changes to it. The same goes for us at SoundCloud: We can't edit supply chain content without direct permission from the relevant rightsholder(s). 

Supply chain content monetizes automatically once it has been delivered with active commercial deals. Its availability is subject to the territories in which SoundCloud has launched monetization. Outside of SoundCloud’s launched territories, supply chain content is not available and will appear as greyed out on SoundCloud. 

1. Why can’t you (or SoundCloud) make changes to ingested content?

   The digital distributor may have the exclusive rights to distribute the content on digital platforms. Please see our article on Rightsholder content for further information. 

2. I'm experiencing issues with supply chain tracks not playing in certain territories.

   This is most likely because the country in question is not a territory we're launched in for monetization; therefore, tracks delivered to your profile by your rightsholder are blocked for playback.

3. How do I fix this?

   Please get in touch with your rightsholder, who may be able to allowlist your account, which will give you the ability to manually upload these tracks for playback in all territories.

Manual uploads, which are later monetized by a rightsholder

In addition to delivery of content via the supply chain, rightsholders have the option to monetize manually uploaded content on SoundCloud, too. They may only do this on artist or label profiles with whom they have a direct contractual relationship.

1. How do I monetize a manually uploaded track?

   You can enable monetization for a manually uploaded track for yourself or a rightsholder. To monetize for a rightsholder, your profile must be part of their monetization network. Contact the rightsholder to request access. Once linked, you can monetize under their network.

   To turn on monetization, go to the ‘Monetization’ tab in your profile: Tracks → Edit (pencil icon) → Monetization. Here, select the rightsholder and territories for monetization, including split rights if needed. Click ‘Enable Monetization’ to confirm. If you can't access this view, contact support.

   To remove monetization from a track, use the ‘Monetization’ tab in your profile. Rightsholders can also update or remove rights for multiple tracks.