Release music on YouTube Music and earn on YouTube too.
Lots of people hear music on YouTube first. But a video on your channel isn't a release on YouTube Music. Through OGRECORDS™ you deliver your song officially to YouTube Music. Optionally, Content ID also finds your music in other people's videos and pays you for it.
- 10% revenue share, no subscription
- ISRC & UPC included
- You keep your masters
- Delivery time after approval
- 2–5 business daysYouTube Music
- Estimate per stream
- ≈ $0.0015≈ $1.50 per 1,000 streams, gross
- Our commission
- 10%Revenue share · no subscription, no setup fees
- Master rights
- 100%always stay with you
YouTube Music is not your YouTube channel
When you release a song through a distributor, YouTube turns it into an Art Track: the audio with your artwork, labeled "Provided to YouTube by …". These tracks appear in YouTube Music and on an automatically created Topic channel. You still upload music videos to your own channel yourself. Together, the two make up your full presence on YouTube.
Apply for an Official Artist Channel
With an Official Artist Channel, YouTube merges your own channel and the Topic channel: subscribers, videos and releases in one place, with a music note next to your name. One of the requirements is at least three official releases delivered to YouTube by a distributor. After your release we show you in the catalog how to apply.
Content ID: earn when others use your song
Content ID finds your music in other users' videos and Shorts and pays you the ad revenue from them, for example from reactions, covers, dance videos or background music. Important: only switch on Content ID if you hold exclusive rights to the entire recording. Otherwise a beat with a non-exclusive license or a royalty-free sample leads to wrong claims against other people.
How much does YouTube Music pay?
YouTube Music pays for streams out of ad and Premium revenue. Per stream that's less than pure subscription services, but you reach a very large audience. Content ID earnings from other people's videos come on top. The terms for this UGC revenue are on Pricing.
5 steps to get your song on YouTube Music
- 01
Sign up for free
Create an account, sign the distribution agreement online, verify your identity. You don't need a YouTube channel for this yet.
- 02
Upload track and artwork
WAV, FLAC or AIFF plus artwork from 3000 × 3000 pixels. The artwork becomes the image of your Art Track.
- 03
Add metadata
Title, artist, credits and genre. Clean names make sure YouTube matches the song to the right Topic channel.
- 04
Choose YouTube Music and Content ID
YouTube Music is preselected. Only switch on Content ID if the recording is exclusively yours.
- 05
Submit and connect your channel
After release you link the Art Track on your channel. Once you meet the requirements, you apply for an Official Artist Channel.
How much do streams on YouTube Music pay?
YouTube Music pays less per stream than subscription services because much of its listening is ad-supported. The figures below only cover streams in YouTube Music. Content ID earnings from other people's videos come on top.
Industry averages, not a guarantee. More on rates and deductions at How much does Spotify pay per stream? and Pricing.
How to get more out of YouTube
Shorts with your sound
Short clips with your song's hook are the fastest way to new listeners on YouTube. With Content ID you also earn from other people's Shorts.
Keep music video and Art Track apart
Upload your music video yourself, but don't also post the plain audio as a video. That splits your views across two entries that take reach from each other.
Content ID only with clean rights
Licensed beats, samples or loops without exclusive rights are the most common reason for disputes over claims. If in doubt, leave Content ID off.
Smart link with a YouTube button
Send fans to YouTube Music, Spotify and Apple Music with one smart link. Everyone ends up in the app they use.
Ready for YouTube Music?
Your account is set up in a few minutes, then the release wizard walks you through every step.
Common questions about YouTube Music
How do I get my music on YouTube Music?
Through a music distributor. An upload to your YouTube channel alone doesn't show up as a release in YouTube Music.
What is a Topic channel?
A channel YouTube creates automatically, where your songs delivered by a distributor appear as Art Tracks. With an Official Artist Channel it gets merged with your own channel.
What is Content ID and do I need it?
Content ID finds your music in other people's videos and monetizes it for you. It's worth it if the recording is exclusively yours. With licensed beats or samples, better leave it off.
Will Content ID block my own video?
If that happens, contact support. We sort out a claim on a video on your own channel directly with YouTube.
How long does it take for my song to appear on YouTube Music?
Usually a few business days after our review and delivery. The Topic channel is created with the first delivery. Plan at least one week ahead.
What does it cost to release on YouTube Music?
No fixed costs. We keep 10% of streaming earnings. The terms for Content ID earnings are on the pricing page.
Besides YouTube Music, your release lands in every other store
The same upload delivers to every platform in the network. Here are the guides for the most important ones.
Your song on YouTube Music.
Official Art Track, Topic channel and Content ID if you want it, from one upload, no subscription.
YouTube Music is a trademark of its respective owner. OGRECORDS™ is an independent music distributor and is not affiliated with YouTube Music.