Distributing your music should be as seamless as creating it. Once you’ve subscribed to Artist Pro, signed our Terms of Service, and completed your payout and tax information, you’re ready to send your tracks to the world.
To get started, click Distribute below the waveform of your uploaded track. This will take you to SoundCloud for Artists, where you can finalize your release details.
You can choose to publish your track publicly, set it to Private, or schedule your release if you're an Artist Pro subscriber.
Step 1: Enter track details
In SoundCloud for Artists, click the Edit icon to add the necessary metadata for distribution. If you’re dropping an EP, album, or compilation, click Select Tracks to add more songs to the release.
Every track requires:
- Track title
- Main artist
- Composer (legal name)
- Content rating and audio language
- Songwriter info
- ISRC (we can assign one for you if you don't have one)
- You’ll also set a Preview Start Time for platforms like TikTok and Instagram
If you’re using a licensed beat, a sample, or uploading a cover, ensure you include all required creators, like producers or original songwriters.
Pro Tip: If you own 100% exclusive rights, you can enable YouTube Content ID. If your track includes samples or royalty-free elements, this wouldn't be eligible, but be sure to upload your license documentation to avoid any delays in approval.
Step 2: Enter release details
This is where you define the look and timing of your release.
- Release Name: For singles, this defaults to your track title. For multi-track releases, specify the album or EP name here.
- Genre: Select your Primary Genre. Note that these categories may differ slightly from SoundCloud’s internal genre list.
- Record Label: This field is required. You can use your artist name or a custom label name. Consistency helps fans find your catalog later.
- Release Date: This must be in the future. We recommend setting your date 30–45 days ahead to allow for review and give you enough time to pitch to platforms like Spotify.
- Artwork: Your imagery must be a .jpg or .png, 3000x3000px, and 300 dpi. Ensure your artwork meets all requirements put in place by our distribution partners, including:
Step 3: Select release partners
Choose where your music lives. By default, we select all available platforms, but you can customize this list.
Things to know:
- Only content you own 100% of the exclusive rights to can be distributed to UGC Fingerprinting services (TikTok, Facebook/Instagram, and YouTube Content ID).
- Some stores like Pandora, iHeart, and Peloton are curated. We deliver all approved releases, but it is ultimately up to those partners what they choose to carry.
Step 4: Profile mapping
Link your release to your existing Spotify and Apple Music profiles. Make sure your names match exactly—capitalization and spaces matter. If this is your first release, select Create New Profile.
Pro Tip: Check SoundCloud to see if your artist name is already taken or similar to others. It’s much easier to choose a unique name now than to change it later.
Step 5: Split Pay
Split Pay is available to Artist Pro subscribers. It allows you to assign a percentage of earnings to collaborators. To enable it, click the three dots on the right-hand side of your track.
Enter your collaborator's SoundCloud URL and their percentage. They don't need a paid subscription to get paid; they just need to log in and provide their payout details.
Step 6: Review and submit
Double-check your details to ensure everything is accurate. When you're ready, hit Submit.
What happens next?
Our team will review your release to ensure it meets partner guidelines. If your release is marked as Rejected, don't sweat it. Usually, it just means we need a quick fix—like a metadata correction or proof of license—before we can move forward.
Check our Distribution Best Practices to help ensure a smooth first-time approval.