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Music Distribution

What Is YouTube Music and How Does My Release Appear There?

What YouTube Music Is

YouTube Music is Google's music streaming service, separate from the main YouTube video site but closely connected to it. When you distribute with InterSpace, your release can be delivered to YouTube Music so listeners can stream it there.

Art Tracks and the "Topic" Channel

Rather than a normal video, your songs usually appear on YouTube as Art Tracks: an auto-generated video with your cover art and audio. These are grouped on an official, auto-created "Artist - Topic" channel that YouTube builds from the delivered metadata. This is normal and expected. See Why Is My Music on a "... - Topic" Channel on YouTube?

YouTube Music vs Content ID

  • YouTube Music is where fans stream your songs.
  • YouTube Content ID is the rights system that finds your music in other people's videos and earns you money from them. See YouTube Content ID Explained.

Connecting Your Official Artist Channel

If you also run your own YouTube channel with music videos and other content, you can apply for a YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC), which merges your Topic content and your own channel into one verified home. See Requesting a YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC).

Delivery Timing

YouTube Music can take a little longer than some stores to show new releases. If your music is live elsewhere but not yet on YouTube Music, allow extra time. See My Release Is Approved but Not Live Yet.