Does DistroKid copyright your music?

Yes, you have to pay for DistroKid. The platform operates on a subscription-based model, requiring an annual fee to distribute your music to digital stores and streaming services. This model allows you to upload unlimited tracks and albums during your subscription period.

One key advantage for producers and artists is that DistroKid lets you keep 100% of your royalties from sales and streams. This makes it a practical choice for independent music creators who want to maximize their earnings and control their releases.

Additional services, such as distribution to specific stores or platforms, may involve extra fees on top of the standard subscription. For a detailed overview of how DistroKid's subscription model works and what to expect as a buyer or artist, see 13 things you need to know about DistroKid!

DistroKid distributes your music to Shazam, making your tracks recognizable when played in DJ sets, clubs, or on radio. This means fans and industry professionals can identify your productions instantly using the Shazam app, which is valuable for building your artist profile and tracking engagement.

When you release tracks through DistroKid, Shazam is included among the supported platforms. This helps your music get picked up not only by Shazam users but also by services connected to Shazam, such as Apple Music. For producers, this increases the chance your work will be discovered after being played in a set or mix.

DistroKid charges an annual fee per track for distribution, which covers delivery to Shazam and other major stores. Having your music on Shazam is especially useful for unreleased tracks or club edits, ensuring your artist name and track title are linked to your work and making it easier for fans to find your catalog.

For more details on DistroKid's distribution and how it works for producers, check 13 things you need to know about DistroKid!

DistroKid does not promote your music. It is a digital distribution service that delivers your tracks to streaming platforms and online stores, but all music promotion and audience-building is up to you as the artist or producer.

When you release music through DistroKid, your tracks become available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. However, DistroKid does not offer playlist pitching, advertising, or radio campaigns. Their focus is on fast and broad distribution, not on marketing or growing your fanbase.

To actually promote your music, you need to create your own strategy. This can include pitching to independent playlist curators, building a social media presence, collaborating with other artists, and reaching out to blogs or influencers. Many producers combine DistroKid distribution with their own promotional efforts or use separate services for marketing support.

For a full overview of DistroKid's features and what to expect from their service, see 13 things you need to know about DistroKid!

When you release music through DistroKid, you receive royalties for streams and sales on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. DistroKid acts as your distributor, collecting royalties from digital stores and streaming services, then paying these out to your account. As a producer or artist, you can monitor your earnings in your DistroKid dashboard and request payouts in euros. The process is designed to make royalty collection and payment straightforward, so you can focus on your music while DistroKid handles the distribution and reporting.

If you stop paying for your DistroKid subscription, your music will usually be removed from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. DistroKid notifies these platforms to take down your releases, so your tracks and albums become unavailable to listeners. You will still be able to log in to your DistroKid account and withdraw any royalties you have already earned, but you cannot upload new music or keep your catalog live without an active subscription.

To keep your music online after canceling, DistroKid offers an option to pay a one-time fee per release. This lets your tracks stay available even if your subscription ends. Always check your DistroKid account for the latest details on takedown timing and payout status.

DistroKid does not own your music. When you use DistroKid to distribute your tracks, you remain the legal owner and keep all rights to your music. DistroKid's role is to deliver your releases to streaming platforms and digital stores, not to claim ownership or creative credit.

As a producer or artist, you receive royalties collected from streams and downloads, which DistroKid passes on to you as the rights holder. This setup allows you to manage your catalog, choose where your music appears, and decide if or when to remove tracks from stores. You are also free to work with other distributors or release music independently if you wish.

If you want to know more about using multiple distributors, check Can you use two different music distributors?

DistroKid uploads your music to a wide range of major streaming platforms and digital stores, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, Pandora, TikTok, Instagram, and iHeartRadio. When you release a track through DistroKid, it is distributed to these platforms so listeners can find your music worldwide, whether you are a producer, DJ, or artist working with original tracks or ghost productions.

For producers and artists, this means your release is available on all the key platforms where fans actually listen. DistroKid’s distribution covers both mainstream and niche services, so your music can reach audiences on Spotify playlists, Apple Music libraries, TikTok videos, and even Instagram Stories. You do not need to manually upload to each service, DistroKid handles the delivery and metadata for you.

Every upload through DistroKid is processed for all supported platforms, maximizing your exposure and potential royalties. The service does not take a percentage of your streaming revenue, so you keep 100% of what you earn from these platforms. This makes DistroKid a practical choice for independent artists, labels, and ghost producers who want to control their catalog and earnings.

For more on DistroKid’s Spotify distribution, see Does DistroKid upload to Spotify?

TuneCore does not own your music or copyright. When you use TuneCore to distribute your tracks, you keep full ownership of your masters and compositions. TuneCore acts only as a digital distributor, sending your music to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music without claiming any rights over your work.

This means you stay in control of how your music is used, licensed, or released elsewhere. TuneCore's agreement is non-exclusive, so you can also distribute your tracks through other services or manage your own releases. You are responsible for ensuring you have the rights to upload and distribute each track, and for providing accurate metadata.

For producers, DJs, and artists, this setup means you keep creative and commercial control. TuneCore handles the technical side of distribution, but your rights and ownership remain with you. For more details on how TuneCore works for artists, see 6 things you need to know about TuneCore.

To replace a file on DistroKid, you must delete the original release and upload a new version. DistroKid does not support direct audio swaps or file replacements for tracks that are already live. If you need to update a song or album, remove the release, then re-upload the corrected audio file as a new release. This process is essential for producers and DJs who want to fix a mix, master, or any audio issue after distribution.

Step-by-step: Replacing audio on DistroKid

• Log in to your DistroKid account and select the release you want to change.
• Delete the release. This removes your track from all streaming platforms.
• Re-upload your updated audio file as a new release. If you want to keep the same ISRC, record it before deletion and assign it manually if possible.

For more on deleting and reuploading, see Can you delete and reupload on DistroKid?.

How long does it take for changes to appear?

After re-uploading, your new track version usually appears on streaming services within 1-2 days. Metadata or playlist updates can take up to 1-2 weeks to fully update across all platforms. Plan your changes well before important release dates to avoid downtime.

Tips for producers and DJs

• There will be a period where your music is unavailable during the swap process.
• Always double-check your mix, master, and metadata before uploading to avoid repeated takedowns and reuploads.
• Keep your ISRC codes and release info organized for smoother transitions.

For more on DistroKid's copyright and rights, see Does DistroKid copyright your music?.

DistroKid is a worldwide digital music distribution platform, giving producers and artists the ability to release tracks to major streaming services across the globe. When you distribute music through DistroKid, your releases are sent to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, making your tracks available to listeners in most countries.

Keep in mind that while DistroKid aims for global reach, some restrictions can apply. These may be due to language, explicit content, or local licensing rules set by individual platforms or countries. This means certain tracks might not appear everywhere, depending on regional policies and content guidelines.

To ensure the broadest possible distribution, check that your music, artwork, and metadata meet the requirements of each platform. For more details on how DistroKid works and what to expect from their global distribution, visit this DistroKid overview.