SoundCloud
Updated July 2026.
Yes — LabelGrid delivers your releases to SoundCloud, which is unique for its community features and direct-to-fan relationship. With Fan-Powered Royalties and a strong presence in hip-hop, electronic, and emerging music scenes, SoundCloud offers opportunities you won’t find elsewhere.
Artist Portal: artists.soundcloud.com
Delivery specs at a glance
Section titled “Delivery specs at a glance”| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Audio format accepted | Lossless WAV or FLAC master |
| Artwork spec | Square (1:1), RGB, no promotional text or URLs; SoundCloud minimum 800x800px (deliver 3000x3000px for cross-platform compatibility) |
| Lossless / Hi-Res / Spatial support | Standard streaming quality; Verify per DSP |
| Territory / regions | Global |
| Monetization / Content ID | Fan-Powered Royalties; distributed content uses the standard royalty share |
| Artist-profile linking | Apply for SoundCloud for Artists after your music is on SoundCloud |
| Go-live timeline | Varies by platform — deliver ahead; verify per DSP |
For more on distribution timing and store coverage, see Distribution Lead Times and Supported Stores. To claim your profiles across platforms, see Claim Your Profiles. To publish straight to your own SoundCloud account, see Direct Upload to SoundCloud. LabelGrid distributes to all major DSPs — see LabelGrid Music Distribution Platforms.
Claiming your profile
Section titled “Claiming your profile”Requirements
Section titled “Requirements”- A SoundCloud account (separate from LabelGrid distribution)
- Music on SoundCloud
How to claim
Section titled “How to claim”SoundCloud works differently from other platforms:
- Create a SoundCloud account at soundcloud.com
- Upload music directly or through LabelGrid distribution
- Apply for SoundCloud for Artists at artists.soundcloud.com
- Verify your identity
Creator plans
Section titled “Creator plans”| Plan | Features |
|---|---|
| Free (Creator) | Basic uploads (limited hours), basic stats, community features |
| Artist | Extended uploads, basic monetization, distribution to major DSPs |
| Artist Pro | Unlimited uploads, full distribution, AI mastering credits, advanced insights |
Visit SoundCloud for Artists for current pricing.
Key features
Section titled “Key features”| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Fan-Powered Royalties | Earn based on your dedicated fans’ listening |
| Fan Subscriptions | Monthly support from fans |
| Reposts | Amplify tracks to new audiences |
| Pro Analytics | Detailed listener insights |
| Comments & Engagement | Direct interaction with fans on tracks |
Fan-Powered Royalties
Section titled “Fan-Powered Royalties”SoundCloud’s unique payout model rewards artists based on actual fan listening.
How it works
Section titled “How it works”- When your fans pay for SoundCloud, their subscription goes to artists they actually listen to
- Your dedicated fans’ payments flow directly to you
- Per-stream rates vary based on listener type (ad-supported vs. subscriber)
Why this matters
Section titled “Why this matters”- Rewards artists with dedicated fanbases
- Not dependent on total platform streams
- Better for independent and niche artists
- There is no guaranteed per-stream rate — earnings depend on your listeners’ engagement
Monetization options
Section titled “Monetization options”- SoundCloud monetization - Earn through SoundCloud directly
- Direct uploads - Keep 100% of Fan-Powered Royalties
- Distributed content - Standard royalty share applies
Community features
Section titled “Community features”SoundCloud’s community engagement is unmatched:
Timed comments
Section titled “Timed comments”- Fans can leave comments at specific timestamps
- Creates conversation around your music
- Shows engagement to new listeners
Reposts
Section titled “Reposts”- Repost other artists’ tracks to your profile
- Get reposted by fans and tastemakers
- Network with other artists in your scene
Messages
Section titled “Messages”- Direct messaging with fans
- Collaborate with other artists
- Build relationships
Distribution to SoundCloud
Section titled “Distribution to SoundCloud”You can get music on SoundCloud two ways:
- Direct upload - Upload directly to your SoundCloud account
- LabelGrid distribution - Distribute to SoundCloud through LabelGrid
When to use each
Section titled “When to use each”Direct upload:
- Demos, works in progress, exclusives
- Content you want only on SoundCloud
- Maximizes Fan-Powered Royalty earnings (keep 100%)
LabelGrid distribution:
- Official releases
- Content going to all platforms
- Consistent metadata and analytics
- Access to SoundCloud Go+ subscribers
Licensing requirements (Important)
Section titled “Licensing requirements (Important)”If you’re distributing content you didn’t create 100% yourself, you must upload licensing documentation. This is one of the top reasons releases get rejected.
When licensing is required
Section titled “When licensing is required”| Content Type | Documentation Needed |
|---|---|
| Beats (purchased) | License agreement from beat seller |
| Samples | License or terms of service |
| Cover songs | Mechanical license |
| Royalty-free samples | Terms of service confirmation |
Upload your licensing documentation in LabelGrid when submitting the release.
Metadata requirements
Section titled “Metadata requirements”SoundCloud has strict metadata rules:
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| No emojis | Not supported in titles or artist names |
| No artist name in track title | Keep them separate |
| No version info in title | Use the version field instead |
| No misleading metadata | Avoid “Type Beat”, generic playlist names |
| No platform references | Don’t mention other streaming services |
Genre strength
Section titled “Genre strength”SoundCloud is particularly strong for:
- Hip-hop - Major discovery platform for rap
- Electronic - DJ mixes, remixes, emerging producers
- Alternative/Indie - Direct-to-fan artists
- Emerging genres - Where trends start
Tips for success
Section titled “Tips for success”- Engage with comments - Reply to fans on your tracks
- Repost strategically - Support artists in your community
- Use direct upload for exclusives - Build SoundCloud-specific audience
- Consider Pro subscription - If monetization is important
- Enable reposts - Let fans share your music
”Does LabelGrid deliver to SoundCloud?”
Section titled “”Does LabelGrid deliver to SoundCloud?””Yes — LabelGrid delivers your releases to SoundCloud, which has a strong presence in hip-hop, electronic, and emerging music scenes. You can also upload directly to your own SoundCloud account.
”Should I distribute to SoundCloud or upload directly?”
Section titled “”Should I distribute to SoundCloud or upload directly?””Use LabelGrid distribution for official releases going everywhere, consistent metadata and analytics, and SoundCloud Go+ subscriber access. Use direct upload for demos, exclusives, and SoundCloud-only content. See the Direct Upload to SoundCloud guide for details.
”What licensing does SoundCloud require?”
Section titled “”What licensing does SoundCloud require?””If your release includes content you didn’t create fully yourself — purchased beats, samples, cover songs, or royalty-free samples — you must upload licensing documentation in LabelGrid. Missing licensing is a top reason releases get rejected.
”How do Fan-Powered Royalties work?”
Section titled “”How do Fan-Powered Royalties work?””SoundCloud pays artists based on their own fans’ listening rather than total platform streams. There is no guaranteed per-stream rate — earnings depend on your listeners’ engagement.
”How long does a release take to go live on SoundCloud?”
Section titled “”How long does a release take to go live on SoundCloud?””Delivery times vary by platform and are not guaranteed — allow a labeled range and verify per DSP. Deliver ahead of your release date so it is processed in time.
”Can I take my music down from SoundCloud?”
Section titled “”Can I take my music down from SoundCloud?””Yes — request a takedown through your LabelGrid dashboard and the removal is sent to SoundCloud. Processing time varies.
Resources
Section titled “Resources”- SoundCloud for Artists - Main artist portal
- SoundCloud Help Center - Support documentation
- SoundCloud Premier - Monetization program
- LabelGrid Support
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