Check this before you sign up for a music distributor
Navigating the world of music distribution can feel like trying to choose a phone plan—lots of options, confusing fine print, and the stakes are high. Most artists compare prices on the front page and click, but the reality of music distribution is closer to a lease than a simple purchase. Your music often sits on someone else’s account for years, and the critical terms only reveal themselves when something inevitably changes: you stop paying, you want to leave, or a major store pulls a track.
To avoid getting caught in the distribution shuffle, you need to know what to look for. Here are the seven non-negotiable things you must check before you sign on:
The Lease Agreement: Understanding the Fine Print
First, you must understand what happens when things go wrong. Different distributors operate on different fee models—some charge a yearly fee per artist, others charge per release, and some take a share of your royalties. Each model creates a different risk profile. Make sure you find the exact sentence detailing the consequences of non-payment and read it carefully before uploading a single track.
Protecting Your Identity: ISRCs and UPCs
Every recording and release has unique identifiers: the ISRC and the UPC. These codes are the backbone of your streaming counts, playlist placements, and chart history. If a distributor assigns these codes, you need assurance that you can keep them with you when you decide to move on. Keeping these codes is essential; they are what allow a song to maintain its streams and spotlight, no matter where it lives.
The Exit Strategy: How Leaving Actually Works
When you decide to switch providers, how does that process actually work in practice? You need clarity on whether they will release your catalog to another distributor, how long a takedown process takes, and if there are fees involved. The safest route is always the same: deliver your release through the new service using your existing ISRCs and UPCs, wait until everything is live everywhere, and only then initiate the removal from your old platform. A distributor that makes this process complicated is likely hiding something.
Crisis Communication: Who You Can Reach
Mistakes happen—a track might be misattributed, a release might go live on the wrong date, or a profile might merge with another artist. When these inevitable issues arise, you need reliable support. Check how quickly they respond, whether their support differs based on your price tier, and confirm how you can actually reach the relevant contact when things break down.
The Money Trail: Where Your Earnings Go
Don’t be fooled by a simple headline split. Dive into the details concerning payouts. Look closely at the payout thresholds, withdrawal fees, currency conversion rates, and how royalty statements lag behind actual streams. Furthermore, determine if you can automatically split payments with co-writers and producers, or if you have to handle those complex calculations yourself.
The Default Agreements: What You Are Agreeing To
The terms and exclusivity sections are where many artists lose control. Review these sections to see what happens by default. Some services automatically enroll your music in systems like YouTube Content ID, publishing administration, or sync licensing. While these tools can be useful, they can also lead to unwanted claims on your own videos or tie up rights you intended to keep. Know exactly which features are active and how you can disable them.
Beyond Release Day: The Full Picture
Getting your song onto the stores is just the starting line. Distribution does not guarantee listeners. Check what supporting tools come with the service—do you get pre-save links, playlist pitching tools, and detailed analytics? Identify which tools you will need to source and pay for elsewhere to get the full promotional picture.
Ultimately, before you hit upload, take a moment to find three key sentences in the terms: what happens if you stop paying, what happens to your unique codes if you leave, and what obligations you are opting into by default. If you can’t find these answers, ask immediately. Any distributor worth signing with will be happy to provide clarity in writing.
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