YouTube Music is a music streaming platform similar to Spotify.

For an artist or small label, YouTube can be a bit obscure and chaotic. All users upload their own content to their YouTube channel(s) and sometimes, third parties will use the content in their uploads. Should users select YouTube Music as a chosen DSP during the Songtradr release process, those tracks will be delivered and visible on YouTube after the scheduled release date. 

YouTube content will spread out across multiple verticals within their platform. There is not a single point of reference to all of your content and it sometimes looks like monetization is not taking place when it should.

• Art Tracks: Music tracks delivered by Songtradr Distribution to YouTube Music are made available on the wider YouTube VOD platform. Tracks feature still-image artwork instead of videos. Existing music video(s) for tracks will automatically switch from the still-image artwork and replace in the Topic channel, as long as it has been available/uploaded on YouTube for five business days or longer.
• Topic Channels: Aggregated "basket" for all released tracks by an artist and always has the artist's name followed by the localized version of the word "Topic". Topics are neither channels nor playlists, although they share similarities with both entities.

*In some cases, YouTube will generate artist profile channels called "Various Artists - Topic". If you are a newer artist on their platform, with smaller play counts, you may not be recognized yet.

Are Art Tracks Monetized?

Yes. Art Tracks are an extension of the YouTube Music platform on the "normal" Youtube VOD platform and as such are monetized for each stream, either through ads or paid Premium user subscriptions.

Can I control my Art Tracks on my Topic?

No, since Art Tracks are not "your" content (even though it's your music), but YouTube Music's and Topics are not regular channels, you cannot manage and control them as you would your own uploads and channels. Neither can we.

An Official Artist Channel can tie all of your music together.

Official Artist Channels on YouTube differ from regular channels in a number of key ways:

• Art Tracks, as delivered by us, will be automatically synced to your channel and become visible on it as your own releases.
• Your content will be automatically sorted by album/release.
• Playlists for your albums will be automatically generated
• Your channel is officially verified as yours
• You get a Music Note Badge next to your channel name.
• An official "About" tab/page, instead of a regular channel description
• Optional photo gallery on your About Page
• Organized video tab - Community Tab - Press Kit - Sell Tickets - No subscriber requirement

*To qualify for submission of an OAC, your existing artist channel must have three or more videos related to your music. In addition, you should also have three or more associated videos for those same tracks that are available as Art Tracks on your topic channel as well. 

Requesting a YouTube OAC

*Please note at this time we are processing requests for paid subscribers ONLY.

Click here to submit a form to our Distribution team here.