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SoundCloud
SoundCloud Whitelist Guide
SoundCloud uses an automated identification system in order to recognize copyright-protected content. This system is integrated into the upload process, meaning that all copyright-protected material will be recognized while being uploaded and blocked before it can go public on the platform. This can be disabled by placing accounts or tracks on the whitelist, ensuring that authorized users such as affiliated companies or PR agencies will be able to upload content without being repeatedly blocked.
To upload your content on your own channels, we advise you to put your label channel(s) and direct artist channels on the Account Whitelist via this link:
Please notice: Do not attempt to put third party accounts, such as promotion companies on the whitelist.
If you plan to let a third party (e.g. promotion channel) upload your tracks, then you have to put each track for each uploader on the ISRC Whitelist via this link:
Please whitelist your tracks 2 working days prior to the upload to avoid getting the content blocked!
After putting your channels on the whitelist, they are automatically being requested for monetization.
SoundCloud Monetization Guide
If you whitelisted your accounts then you have already completed the first step in the monetization process and your profile is being readied for monetization!
Unfortunately we do not receive a notification for every profile that has been monetized.
We recommend that you check your profile(s) 2-3 days after submitting the form to verify if your monetization request has been accepted. We also do not receive any notifications about monetized tracks.
There are two aspects of monetization: profile and track.
Once you’ve decided to whitelist your profile, it takes around 48 hours before you can monetize your tracks with this profile. This timespan has generally been consistent, though the process may be faster in some cases.
In relation to the tracks, click on“Edit Track” once your profile has successfully been monetized.
When the tab “Monetization” appears (after ca. 48 hours), you may then enter the necessary meta data, such as the ISRC, publisher info, etc., to successfully monetize your track(s). It will also take around 48 hours for the monetization to be activated since SoundCloud must first have the publishing rights approved.
Tip: You can accelerate the process if you prepare all necessary data before the monetization tab appears.
In order to determine whether your track has been monetized, check the status on the “Track Edit” page, but remember that it takes around 48 hours to finally show up!
Check regularly whether all your tracks are being monetized for all new regions! If new regions come on board for monetization, your tracks won't be automatically monetized there.
Additionally, see our screenshot where various points of interest are marked to make it easier checking for monetization.
SoundCloud Go
SoundCloud Go is SoundCloud’s subscription model. It allows full length listening for paying users and is also the format used when releases are delivered officially through distribution partners.
When we deliver your release to SoundCloud, the tracks are uploaded automatically on release day in the Go+ format. This means that full versions are available to Go+ subscribers in the supported countries, while users without a subscription can only hear a 30 second preview.
This setup is different from uploading music to your own SoundCloud profile. You can still upload tracks manually to your own channel if you want to make them available to all listeners. In that case, please make sure your account is whitelisted first, otherwise your uploads may be blocked . Our delivery to SoundCloud is mainly used so the releases receive a digital fingerprint and can be claimed and monetized correctly .
Please note that SoundCloud Go is only available in:
- Australia
- The USA and its territories: Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands
- United Kingdom and its territories: Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Ireland
- France and its territories: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion
- New Zealand
- Canada
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Italy
- Spain
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- Portugal
- Austria
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Finland
- Norway
SoundCloud Profile Verification
In SoundCloud it's now possible to verify your SoundCloud profiles.
The profile verification is intended to help well-known artists and labels to stand out on the platform and to maintain their authenticity.
In order to get your profile verified,your account must fulfill the following requirements:
- It represents a well-known and/or highly searched for artist, collective, DJ, label, curator or podcaster.
- It must be the unique presence of an artist, collective, DJ, label, curator or podcaster.
- It doesn’t contain any misleading information and adheres to SoundCloud's terms of use.
- It must have a bio, profile photo and at least one track uploaded.
Follow this link to learn more about the SoundCloud profile verification process.
Note: SoundCloud holds the right to verify accounts at their discretion.
If you have any issues with using SoundCloud, please contact us at labelrelations@digdis.de.