Is DistroKid a Publisher? What Can It Do?

With the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry, many independent musicians are turning to digital platforms to distribute and promote their music. However, a common question often arises: Is DistroKid a publisher? In this article, we’ll delve into DistroKid’s role in the music distribution industry and explore the features it offers to artists.

Understanding the Role of a Publisher

Before addressing DistroKid’s position, it’s essential to understand what a music publisher does. Generally, a music publisher manages the rights to a song, collecting royalties on behalf of the songwriter, and ensures the songwriter receives due payments when their music is used commercially. They also promote the compositions for licensing in various media such as films, TV, and commercials.

Is DistroKid a Publisher?

DistroKid does not function as a traditional music publisher. Its primary service is digital distribution, which allows artists to upload their music to various streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and others. While it helps getting music online, it does not handle publishing rights or collect publishing royalties for the songwriter.

Artists looking for publishing services will need to use separate music publishing companies that specialize in handling copyrights, collecting mechanical royalties, and facilitating licensing opportunities.

What Are the Features of DistroKid?

Having clarified DistroKid’s role, let's explore the features that make it a valuable tool for musicians:

1. Unlimited Distribution

DistroKid provides unlimited uploads for a flat annual fee. Unlike other platforms that may charge per release, artists can release as much music as they like without additional costs, making it ideal for prolific creators.

2. Fast Distribution

DistroKid is known for its speedy distribution, with submissions often reaching streaming platforms within just a few days. This quick turnaround is key for artists looking to capitalize on viral moments or timely releases.

3. Streaming Platform Integration

With DistroKid, artists can effortlessly distribute their music to over 150 streaming services and stores, ensuring maximum reach and discoverability. Prominent platforms include Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and many more.

4. Useful Features for Artists

• Revenue Splits: DistroKid allows artists to split revenue among collaborators automatically, facilitating easy financial management.
• HyperFollow Pages: This tool creates an artist-specific landing page that fans can follow, generating more pre-save opportunities on upcoming releases.
• Lyric Synchronization: Artists can synchronize lyrics with their songs, enhancing listener engagement across platforms that support lyric display.
• Vault: A secure backup solution for artists to store their music files and metadata.

DistroKid and SoundOn: A Collective Approach to Distribution

While DistroKid offers a robust array of features, it's not the only option for artists aiming to get their music out there. Platforms such as SoundOn can serve as excellent alternatives or complements, offering different tools and opportunities for marketing and distribution.

SoundOn provides an all-in-one platform for music marketing and distribution, connecting artists with TikTok, CapCut, and other digital streaming platforms to enhance visibility and build a fan base. Registering with SoundOn can provide artists with a unique edge, optimizing their approach to both distribution and promotion.

Conclusion

In summary, while DistroKid efficiently manages digital distribution, it is not a publisher. Artists seeking publishing administration need to look beyond DistroKid to manage their compositions fully. However, DistroKid remains an attractive option for its features that aid in the seamless release and promotion of music globally. Coupling it with platforms like SoundOn can further elevate an artist’s reach and success across digital landscapes.