Curious about how YouTube Music works? Or how it differs from Content ID or YouTube.com? Luckily, we have the answers! Here are some basics of YouTube Music.
How does YouTube Music work? And how does this relate to the YouTube we all know and love?
How is this different from YouTube Content ID?
How does YouTube Music work? And how does this relate to the YouTube we all know and love?
YouTube Music and YouTube serve different purposes, although they are both part of the larger YouTube platform.
- YouTube is a traditional video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, and share video content.
- YouTube Music is part of the larger YouTube platform, but functions specifically as a music streaming service similar to Spotify or Apple Music.
That being said, YouTube Music does relate to YouTube in some ways. The number 1 way is "Art Tracks." You will see your tracks listed on YouTube as playable videos that display your artist name, release title, and a static image of your cover art.
How is this different from YouTube Content ID?
YouTube Content ID is a copyright management system that functions within the YouTube.com framework. It was built for content creators and rights owners to protect and manage their intellectual property (copyrights) on the YouTube video-sharing platform.
Check out this article for more details.
Official Artist Channels
On March 20, 2025, Soundrop stopped processing new and pending requests for YouTube Official Artist Channels.
If you have already submitted a support ticket because you have been waiting for your channel approval, you should have received a notification that we are no longer processing these requests.
Getting Paid
YouTube Music revenue is reported on monthly statements and reflect streams for the art tracks Soundrop delivered, just like what you see for other music streaming stores. For more details on making money via YouTube Music, see this article.
Opting into YouTube Music
When you submit a new release for digital distribution, you'll have the option to select which platforms your content is sent to. Be sure to include YouTube Music!
FAQs
An artist name isn't clickable or is behaving badly.
Sometimes it takes a little while for your artist page to populate. If your artist page still isn't accessible after 30 days, please submit a request here.
Will my albums appear as single tracks?
On YouTube.com your releases will appear as a playlist on your channel.
On YouTube Music your releases will appear on your artist page under "Album", EPs" or "Singles"
What does "Various Artists - Topic" mean?
This is the page that stores most of the YouTube Music deliveries. Once you have an Official Artist Channel (OAC), tracks under Various Artists - Topic will appear as playlists on your OAC Channel. Don't worry, art tracks on Various Artists pages are still eligible for monetization.
Does YouTube have any helpful resources I can look at?
Yes they do! Check out YouTube for Artists here.