Help

Questions, answered.

Everything artists ask us about distribution, artist IDs, YouTube channels and getting paid.

28 questions

Topics

Topics

  1. 01Getting started
  2. 02Your release
  3. 03Royalties and reports
  4. 04Artist IDs and credits
  5. 05YouTube artist channels

01Getting started

Is it really free to start?

Yes. There's nothing to pay upfront. We keep a small share of the royalties your music earns, and that's the only way we get paid.

Do I keep the rights to my music?

Yes. You own your songs and your recordings. We deliver them to the stores for you, that's all.

What is digital music distribution?

Digital music distribution is the modern pathway to worldwide listenership. It delivers music from artists, bands, or record labels to digital stores and streaming platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify. It replaces traditional physical distribution, providing artists a straightforward means to connect with global audiences.

What is the Best Free Music Distribution Platform?

PMD Digital stands out among the platforms offering free music distribution. Our extensive reach and unique features enable artists to connect with audiences worldwide at no cost. Our commitment to helping musicians make strategic strides in their careers and our user-friendly interface make us an excellent choice for aspiring and established artists. With PMD Digital, you're not just distributing your music—you're becoming part of a global musical community.

What is the difference between physical music distribution and digital music distribution?

Physical music distribution relies on tangible formats like CDs and vinyl, delivered via retail outlets offering a collectable appeal. Digital music distribution, however, utilizes online platforms for instant worldwide access, is more cost- effective, and provides valuable data analytics. This digital shift democratizes distribution and innovates revenue models but also brings challenges like online piracy. In this ever-evolving music landscape, artists and the industry must adapt and navigate these differences while catering to shifting consumer preferences

Do you work with record labels?

Yes. We work with independent artists and with record labels, from a first single to a full catalog.

Can I leave if it's not for me?

Anytime. No lock-in and no exit fee. Your music is yours.

02Your release

How long until my song is live?

Most releases go live in 1 to 3 days. Got a big release date? Send it a week or two early so every store has it ready on the day.

What do I need to upload?

Your song as a high quality audio file (WAV is best), square cover art (3000 x 3000 pixels is the store standard), and your credits: who wrote it, who produced it and who performs on it.

Which stores will my music be on?

Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, TikTok, Instagram, Amazon Music, Deezer, and 150+ stores worldwide.

Can I release in any language?

Yes. Any language, any genre. Your lyrics can go out too, on the stores that show them.

Do I get ISRC and UPC codes?

Yes, free. Every song gets an ISRC and every release gets a UPC. Stores use these codes to track your plays and pay you.

Can I make changes to a release after it's been submitted?

Certainly! You can contact our customer support [email protected] to change a release after submission. They will assist you in the process and provide guidance on the necessary steps to update or modify your release.

03Royalties and reports

How do I get paid?

Stores pay us, and we pass your share on to you. Your royalties come in every month, with a detailed statement that shows what each store paid.

How long does it take to pay out my royalties?

At PMD Digital, we handle royalty payments three months after you've registered your music with us. For instance, if you share your music details in January, you can expect your royalties by April 21st. You can see the detailed chart below.

January 21 April
February 21 May
March 21 June
April 21 July
May 21 August
June 21 September
July 21 October
August 21 November
September 21 December
October 21 January
November 21 February
December 21 March

To get your royalties, request the payout in our dashboard, and you'll receive it within 7 business days.

Does PMD Digital provide detailed analytics and reporting for streams and downloads?

Absolutely! PMD Digital provides comprehensive analytics and reporting for your music's performance. It also includes data on earnings by each music service and by country, giving you a complete picture of your music's popularity. Utilize this tool to track your progress and make informed decisions for your next steps in the music industry

How can I monitor the performance of my music on PMD Digital?

On PMD Digital, your artist dashboard is the key to monitoring your music's performance. It provides a detailed breakdown of royalties and streaming data, giving you a clear picture of your music's reach and earnings. The best part? This information is accessible whenever your royalties are available for withdrawal

What is YouTube Content ID?

When someone uses your song in their YouTube video, Content ID spots it and collects the money for you. It's included.

Do you help with playlists and marketing?

Yes. We pitch your releases to store editors and help you plan your promotion.

04Artist IDs and credits

How to get Spotify id?
  1. Log in to your Spotify account on the Spotify Web Player or the Spotify app.
  2. The link you copied will look something like this: `https://open.spotify.com/user/{user_id}`. Your Spotify User ID is the portion after `/user/`.

For example, if your profile link is `https://open.spotify.com/user/abc123`, then your Spotify User ID is `abc123`.

Please note:You have to write the spotify id is like spotify:aritist:"{user_id}"

How to get Apple id?

However, you can find the Apple Music Artist ID manually by following these steps:

  1. Open the Apple Music app on your iOS device or iTunes on your computer.
  2. Use the search function to search for the artist's name.
  3. The URL of the artist page will contain the Apple Music Artist ID as a part of the URL. It will be a long alphanumeric string usually located after the "/artist/" portion of the URL.

For example, the URL for an artist's page might look like this:

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/{artist_id}. The {artist_id} in the URL represents the Apple Music Artist ID.

Please note:You have to write the apple id is like "{artist_id}"

What's the difference between a Primary Artist and a Featured Artist?

In the music world, a Primary Artist takes centre stage, often leading vocals and creative direction, and is prominently highlighted in promotional materials. On the other hand, a Featured Artist is a collaborator, contributing distinct elements or vocals but acknowledged separately. This distinction helps to clearly outline creative contributions in a song or album, ensuring every artist gets their rightful recognition in the diverse world of musical collaborations.

05YouTube artist channels

Who is eligible for YouTube official artist channel?

To be eligible for a YouTube official artist channel, you must be a musical artist or part of a music group with a pre-existing YouTube channel that boasts a substantial follower count. Furthermore, your music should already be distributed via a YouTube Music Partner, a music distributor or a record label. Your eligibility unlocks numerous benefits, helping your music reach a broader audience and providing tools to engage more effectively with your fanbase

Who is eligible for the official artist channel?

To qualify for an Official Artist Channel on YouTube, you must manage a single artist's or band's channel with at least one official music release distributed through a recognized distributor or label. Your channel must adhere to YouTube's policies. Also, you'll need to work with a YouTube Partner Manager, be part of YouTube's Partner Program, or have an established relationship with a label network that works with YouTube. Remember, the channel must contain active content, ideally under an artist name that matches the channel name. While the approval process may take some time, it's worth the wait!

What is the Official Artist Badge?

The Official Artist Badge is a coveted verification symbol on YouTube. Displayed next to your channel name, it authenticates your channel as the official representation of an artist or band. This badge not only bolsters your credibility but also brings in perks like increased discoverability, a sleek channel layout, and features for fan engagement. In the digital music sphere, this is your badge of honour, and it's instrumental in strengthening your presence and engagement on YouTube

Do I need a certain number of subscribers or views to get the Official Artist Badge?

Surprisingly, there's no hard and fast rule about a minimum number of subscribers or views to obtain the Official Artist Badge. The emphasis is more on the authentic representation of an artist or band. Nevertheless, a robust subscriber count and high viewership can amplify your application, making it more prominent to the YouTube team

How long does it take to get approved for the Official Artist Badge?

The timeline for acquiring the Official Artist Badge can vary. Generally, the approval process may extend to several weeks, influenced by YouTube's influx of applications. After you've hit 'submit' on your application, stay updated on its progress through your YouTube account. So, while the wait might require a dose of patience, the rewards of this official recognition are undoubtedly worth it!

How to get official artist badge on YouTube?
  1. Contact our customer support at [email protected]
  2. Share the track title, artist name, YouTube channel link, and track UPC and ISRC codes.
  3. You have to provide us with at least three tracks available.
  4. You also have to provide your YouTube top channel link.
  5. YouTube reviews the provided details and tracks.
  6. Stay in touch with us and comply with any additional requests.

No questions match that. Try another word, or write to [email protected].

Looking for guides? Read the PMD Digital blog.