FAQ Section

Find answers to frequently asked questions about digital music distribution and Rebeat Digital.

General Questions

Digital distribution via Rebeat

To release your music through MES or MES Web, you essentially need:

  • Final audio files in a supported format
  • Cover artwork that meets the required specifications
  • Complete metadata such as title, artist name, genre and copyright information
  • Information about all contributors
  • ISRCs for the individual tracks and an EAN/UPC for the release. If you do not have these codes yet, you can obtain them through Rebeat.
  • Your intended release date
  • The stores and streaming platforms where you want your music to be available
  • The necessary rights to the music, recordings and artwork

You can enter all required information during the upload process in MES or MES Web and then submit the release for quality control and distribution.

For digital music distribution, there is no recurring base fee. Rebeat receives 15% of the revenue generated, while 85% is paid out to you.

Rebeat charges a one-time fee of EUR 149. This includes lifetime access to the Music Enterprise Software (MES), access to MES Web, and all future updates. You can manage and publish your releases directly through MES Web or MES.

Variable costs (e.g. upload fees, ISRCs or EAN codes) can be paid either on a pay-as-you-go basis or with a convenient flat-fee option. You can find a full list of variable costs here.

Audio files uploaded through MES or MES Web must meet the following requirements:

Standard Audio (SD)
File format: WAV or AIFF
Sample rate: 44.1 kHz
Bit depth: 16 bit
Channels: Stereo

High Definition Audio (HD)
File format: WAV or AIFF
Sample rate: 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz
Bit depth: 24 bit
Channels: Stereo

All tracks within a release must use the same audio quality. SD and HD audio files cannot be mixed within the same release. AIFF files must comply with the AIFF-C standard.

Dolby Atmos audio files must have a sample rate of at least 48 kHz and a bit depth of at least 24 bit.

The Dolby Atmos version of a track requires its own ISRC. Dolby Atmos files are uploaded in addition to the stereo version of the track.

Cover artwork must be at least 3000 × 3000 pixels and have sufficient image quality. Blurry or pixelated artwork may be rejected by the stores.

Artist names and release titles shown on the artwork must match the metadata. URLs or references to physical products such as CDs, DVDs or booklets are not permitted.

Rebeat Digital is a digital music distributor. To distribute your music, you grant us only the exclusive digital distribution rights for the respective track and the rights necessary to carry out that distribution. All other rights, including copyright and master recording rights, remain with you or the respective rights holders.

Our exclusivity only applies to stores and platforms with which Rebeat has a distribution agreement. You are still free to sell or distribute your music directly through your own website or platforms such as Bandcamp. We even encourage you to make use of additional direct-to-fan channels, as they can complement your presence on streaming and download services and help you reach a wider audience.

What about YouTube and Facebook?
As long as your tracks are made available for streaming and not offered as free downloads, you can also upload them to YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms.

On YouTube, you may see a “Copyright” restriction in YouTube Studio indicating that the video “has a Content ID claim.” If Rebeat is listed as the claimant, this does not mean that Rebeat owns your music. It means that Rebeat manages the relevant rights for this content on your behalf and is authorized to monetize it through YouTube Content ID. The resulting revenue is credited to your Rebeat account, minus Rebeat’s 15% revenue share.

Stores have specific requirements for metadata and cover artwork that we, as a distributor, must comply with. For this reason, all releases go through both automated and manual quality control checks.

If we detect an invalid metadata entry or if the cover artwork does not meet the stores’ quality requirements, a ticket will be created in MES or MES Web with information on what needs to be corrected. You will also receive an email notification.

If you have any questions about your ticket, please contact customerservice@rebeat.com or simply reply to the email notification you received.

Unfortunately, there is a delay between the time a store or streaming platform reports your earnings and when they are actually paid out. This is due to the reporting and settlement process between the stores and streaming platforms, Rebeat and our clients.

Some stores and streaming platforms provide daily sales data, which you can view in MES and MES Web under Analytics > Daily. In the month following the streams and downloads, we receive the official monthly reports. These figures are usually available from the middle of the month under Analytics > Preview.

For most stores and streaming platforms, we receive payment in the month after the monthly report. Rebeat then settles these earnings with labels and artists two months later. This additional period is necessary because previously submitted reports may still be corrected afterwards. Delaying the settlement helps us avoid having to adjust already issued statements.

Here’s an example:
For streams and downloads generated in January, we receive the monthly reports in February and the corresponding payments from most stores and streaming platforms in March. To allow for possible corrections, Rebeat pays out these earnings two months later. This means that your January earnings are included in the statement issued at the end of May.

Stores & Streaming Platforms

You can find an up-to-date list of all stores and platforms we distribute to here.

Once you have submitted your release via MES or MES Web, the data is delivered to the selected stores and streaming platforms. The platforms then review the content before it is published. Depending on the platform, this process can take up to 30 days.

We therefore recommend submitting your complete release at least 14 days before your intended release date. This increases the likelihood that your music will be available on the planned date across all selected stores and streaming platforms.

You can search for your track or album directly in the respective store. Alternatively, you can use your release’s Smart Link, which shows the stores and streaming platforms where your release is already available.

Depending on the platform, it may take a few days for a release to become available after delivery.

Yes. With the Distribution Matrix in MES and MES Web, you can choose where and how your release will be distributed.

For each country, you can define:

  • Store or streaming platform
  • Streaming and/or download availability
  • Price level
  • Release date

Open the Distribution Matrix in the Product Data section of your release and adjust the settings as needed. You can also copy existing settings and apply them to other countries.

For stores that offer music downloads, the final retail price is determined by the store. However, you can select a price category for your release:

  • Automatic: The track price is usually between EUR 0.89 and EUR 1.19.
  • Budget: Approximately 50% below the store’s standard price.
  • Back: Approximately 80% of the store’s standard price.
  • Normal: The standard price defined by the store.
  • Front Plus: A higher price level of approximately 130% of the store’s standard price. Please note that a higher retail price does not necessarily result in higher overall revenue, as it may lead to fewer purchases.

The price category is always set in the Distribution Matrix. You can change it later at any time by submitting a metadata update.

A release or individual tracks may not be available in every selected store or streaming platform. First, check the respective store directly or use your release’s Smart Link to see where it is already available.

The release date is in the future
If you have selected a future release date, your music will not become available before that date.

The store is still processing the release
After delivery, stores and streaming platforms review and process the submitted data. Processing times vary depending on the platform. In general, you should allow around 3 to 30 days for a release to become available.

The store has specific content or genre requirements
Some stores specialize in certain genres or types of content. Beatport, for example, only accepts releases that meet its relevant genre and quality requirements. This can also mean that not every track on a release is accepted by a particular store.

The metadata or cover artwork does not meet the requirements
Stores and streaming platforms have their own requirements for metadata, cover artwork and other release information. If these requirements are not met, a release may be rejected or not published.

Availability differs by country
A release may not be available in every country due to rights restrictions or platform-specific requirements. You can review your settings in the Distribution Matrix.

Explicit content
Additional restrictions may apply to explicit content depending on the platform and country. As a result, a release may not be available in certain stores or territories.

If your release is still unavailable despite correct settings and sufficient processing time, check its status in MES or MES Web or contact our Customer Service.

Stores and streaming platforms usually assign new releases to existing artist profiles automatically. If another artist has the same or a similar name, your release may occasionally be linked to the wrong profile.

For some platforms, you can enter an Artist ID in MES or MES Web to ensure that your release is assigned to the correct artist profile. If an Artist ID has already been entered, please check that it is correct.

If your release has still been assigned to the wrong profile, contact us and provide:

  • Artist name
  • Link to the incorrect artist profile
  • Link to the correct artist profile or Artist ID, if available
  • EAN of the affected release

We will submit a correction request to the respective platform.

Fraudulent or artificial streaming refers to streams that do not result from genuine listening activity. This can include streams generated through bots, click farms, automated playback, manipulated accounts or other methods designed to artificially increase stream counts.

Be especially cautious with promotion services that guarantee a specific number of streams, promise guaranteed playlist placements in exchange for payment or use other methods that artificially influence listening figures. Even if a third party generates the streams on your behalf, stores and streaming platforms may still associate the activity with your music.

Streaming platforms actively monitor their services for artificial activity. Depending on the platform and the severity of the case, consequences may include:

  • Artificial streams being excluded from reports and royalty payments
  • Royalties being withheld or adjusted
  • Releases being removed
  • Restrictions or penalties being applied to the associated catalogue or account

To protect your music, only work with reputable promotion partners and avoid services that guarantee streams or paid playlist placements. Legitimate promotion should help real listeners discover your music rather than artificially generate plays.

If you notice an unexpected or unexplained increase in streams, review any active promotion campaigns and make sure that no third party is generating artificial activity on your behalf.

General

Rebeat Digital focuses first and foremost on customer proximity and personal support. Many of our solutions have been developed in response to feedback from our customers and in line with the requirements of stores and streaming platforms.

With us, you always know what is happening with your music. We communicate transparently and keep you informed about important updates, requirements and developments in the music industry.

We work with independent artists, labels of all sizes and even other digital distributors that use our technology and services.

Rather than focusing on names, we focus on finding the right solution for each customer. Get in touch with us to find out how Rebeat Digital can support you and your business.

Contact us

MES & MES Web

The Music Enterprise Software, or MES for short, and MES Web are central parts of our services for labels and artists. They allow you to distribute music digitally, manage releases and metadata, handle revenue accounting and analyze the performance of your music.

MES is our desktop software, while MES Web can be used directly in your browser. Many features, including the complete digital distribution process, are now also available in MES Web.

Over the years, we have continuously developed both solutions. Today, they also support more complex tasks such as accounting for third-party labels, managing different revenue streams and handling additional administrative processes.

MES can be installed on any standard Windows PC. Please make sure that your system meets the following minimum requirements:

  • Windows 8.1, 32-bit or 64-bit
  • Windows 10, version 1803 or later, 32-bit or 64-bit
  • Windows 11, 64-bit
  • .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later
  • Processor with at least 550 MHz
  • At least 1 GB of available RAM
  • Standard audio device
  • At least 150 MB of free disk space, plus sufficient storage for your WAV files
  • Stable broadband internet connection

MES is currently available for Windows. If you use a Mac or another operating system, you can use MES Web directly in your browser without installing any additional software.

If you still want to use the desktop version of MES on a Mac, you can run Windows using software such as Parallels.

If you are an existing customer, you can download the latest version of MES at any time. You will need the email address you registered with Rebeat.
New customers receive access to MES and MES Web after registration and contract confirmation. MES Web can be used directly in your browser and does not require any installation.

DOWNLOAD MES

Yes. You can install MES on multiple computers without purchasing an additional license. Simply download and install MES on the additional computer and log in with your existing credentials.
Please note that locally stored MES data is linked to the respective filestore. If you use another computer or a different filestore, your existing releases may not appear automatically.
Alternatively, you can use MES Web directly in your browser on different computers without installing the desktop software.

If your releases are no longer displayed after reinstalling MES, changing computers or using a different filestore, you can load them again from the Rebeat server.

In MES, go to Data > Load from server. The available data for your releases will then be transferred from the server. The audio files themselves are not downloaded.

If you also need access to the original audio files, you can alternatively copy the filestore from your previous MES installation to the new computer or filestore.

MES has an automatic update function. Every time you start the software, it checks whether a new version is available and installs it automatically.
All MES updates are free of charge. MES Web is always kept up to date automatically, so you do not need to install any updates yourself.

Account & Administration

If you use MES, start the software and click Forgot your login details? in the login window. A secure web page with a form will open. Enter your first and last name and the email address you registered with, then submit the form.

If you use MES Web, click Forgot Password on the login page and enter the requested information. We will then contact you regarding your access data.

If you do not receive an email, please check your spam folder.

Please keep your login details secure and do not share them with third parties.

If your email address, billing address, bank details or other account information has changed, please contact us with the subject Change account data and let us know which information needs to be updated.

We will update the information in our system.

Important: Please contact us from the email address registered with Rebeat. If this is not possible, attach a copy of a valid photo ID so that we can verify your identity.

Please contact us with the subject Change email address and let us know your new email address.

Please send the request from the email address currently registered with Rebeat. If you no longer have access to that address, attach a copy of a valid photo ID so that we can verify your identity.

For security reasons, bank details can only be changed by our support team. Please contact us with the subject Change bank details and send us the updated information.

Please send the request from the email address registered with Rebeat. If this is not possible, attach a copy of a valid photo ID so that we can verify your identity.

There can be several reasons why an audio file cannot be uploaded in MES or MES Web. If you experience problems, please check the following:

Is the audio file valid?
Make sure that the file is not corrupted and can be played normally on your computer. Exporting the audio file again from your audio software can often resolve problems caused by an incorrectly encoded file.

Does the file meet the audio requirements?
Make sure that the format, sample rate, bit depth and number of channels meet the requirements shown during the upload process. Simply changing a file extension does not convert an audio file into another format.

Are you using an AIFF file?
Some AIFF files may cause problems if they were created using an incompatible or outdated encoding. In this case, export the track again as a new AIFF or WAV file using current audio software.

Is the upload interrupted?
An unstable internet connection, browser issues or a temporary connection problem can interrupt an upload. If necessary, try uploading the file again or use a different browser when working in MES Web.

Do you receive an error message?
The error message can help identify the cause of the problem. If the upload still does not work, contact us and include the error message as well as information about the affected audio file.

You can view and download invoices and statements in both MES and MES Web.

In MES Web, open Financials and select either Invoices or Statements.

In MES, go to QuickSteps > Invoices/Statements and select the document you need.

If the document you are looking for is not available, please contact us.

Store-Specific Questions

Spotify

Make sure the artist name is entered correctly in Contributor Management in MES or MES Web.
You can also enter the correct Spotify Artist URI for the artist profile. Alternatively, select the correct artist profile from the Spotify artist profiles suggested in MES or MES Web.

Spotify needs at least 5 business days to process and publish a new release after it has been delivered. If a release reaches Spotify less than 5 business days before the scheduled release date, it may become available a few days later.

Before delivery, every release goes through Rebeat’s quality control. Under normal circumstances, this process takes 1 to 5 business days.

We therefore recommend submitting your complete release via MES or MES Web at least 14 days before the scheduled release date. This allows enough time for our quality control and for Spotify to process the release.

Spotify for Artists is Spotify’s official platform for artists and their teams. It allows you to manage your artist profile, analyze the performance of your music and access additional tools for your releases.

Key benefits include:

  • Detailed statistics on streams, listeners and audiences
  • Insights into the performance of individual tracks and releases
  • Editing your artist profile, including profile image, bio and other information
  • Access to Spotify Support for questions about your profile or catalogue
  • Verification of your artist profile
  • Additional tools for planning and promoting your releases

You need to request access to Spotify for Artists yourself via artists.spotify.com/c/claim.
To claim an artist profile, you will need the corresponding Spotify artist profile. If the artist profile already exists, you can use it directly during the claim process.

First, you need a personal Spotify account. If you do not have one yet, you can create one at spotify.com/signup.

Then go to artists.spotify.com/c/claim and follow the steps to request access to your artist profile.

During the claim process, Spotify may ask you to identify the correct artist profile. The Spotify Artist URI uniquely identifies your profile and helps ensure that you claim the correct artist, especially if several artists have the same or a similar name.

In the next section, you can find out what a Spotify URI is and where to find it.

For very recent deliveries or releases that are not yet live, it may take some time before the artist profile or URI becomes available.

URI stands for Uniform Resource Identifier. It is used to uniquely identify a specific resource.

On Spotify, artist profiles, tracks, albums and playlists each have their own Spotify URI. This allows a release to be assigned to the correct artist profile.

  • You can copy the Spotify URI directly from the Spotify desktop app.
    1. Open the artist profile or album in Spotify.
    2. Click the three dots or right-click the artist or album.
    3. Select Share.
    4. Hold the Alt key on Windows or the Option key on Mac.
    5. The option to copy the link will change to Copy Spotify URI.

    Spotify URIs have the following structure:

    Artist: spotify:artist:ID
    Album: spotify:album:ID

    You can also use the ID contained in a Spotify URL to create the corresponding URI.

Yes. Labels can also use Spotify for Artists and request access to their catalogue.

You need a Spotify account and a business email address. If your organization has not yet been set up in Spotify for Artists, you will also need to provide the Spotify URIs of at least three previously released tracks during the claim process.

You can request access at artists.spotify.com/c/claim.

If you want to manage another artist through Spotify for Artists, log in at artists.spotify.com, click your avatar and select Create Team. Then follow the steps to request access to the artist profile. If the artist team has already been claimed, a Team Admin needs to invite you instead.

If you use a label team, you do not add artists manually. Your artist roster is based on the distributor and label names included in the metadata of your releases.

Your release will appear under Music > Upcoming in Spotify for Artists once it has been delivered to Spotify. It can take around 48 hours after delivery for the release to appear.

If your release is still not visible after that, make sure it has been assigned to the correct artist profile. Please also note that some releases may not appear under Upcoming, for example compilations or releases where you are only listed as a featured artist.

Spotify actively monitors streams for artificial or manipulated activity. This includes streams generated through bots, click farms, automated playback, manipulated accounts or other methods that do not reflect genuine listening behavior.

If Spotify identifies artificial streaming, possible consequences include:

  • Artificial streams may be removed from public stream counts and will not generate royalties.
  • Affected tracks may be removed from Spotify playlists.
  • In serious or repeated cases, Spotify may remove tracks or other content from the platform.
  • Spotify provides labels and distributors with reports on detected artificial streaming.
  • Spotify may charge labels and distributors a fee if a track shows a very high rate of artificial streaming.

Artificial streaming can also be caused by third-party promotion services. Be particularly careful with services that guarantee a specific number of streams or paid playlist placements.

TikTok

If music was already embedded in your video before you uploaded it, TikTok may detect it as embedded or original audio rather than as a Sound added directly from the TikTok music library. TikTok’s music licences may limit the duration of music that can be used in a video. According to TikTok, uses of up to one minute are generally permitted. If your uploaded video contains a longer section of copyrighted music, TikTok may mute the audio or remove the video.

Other possible reasons include:

  • Copyright complaint: A rightsholder may have submitted a copyright complaint against the video, which can result in the sound being removed or the video being taken down.
  • The Sound is no longer available: If the licensing status of a Sound changes or TikTok removes it for copyright reasons, previously published videos using that Sound may also be muted.
  • Commercial use: Additional music restrictions apply to content that promotes a brand, product or service. Music from TikTok’s general music library is not automatically cleared for commercial use.
  • Community Guidelines violation: TikTok may also remove a Sound or the entire video if the content violates its Community Guidelines.

You can check the specific reason directly in the TikTok app by opening the affected video and selecting View details. TikTok will indicate whether the Sound was removed because of a copyright claim, a Community Guidelines violation or both.

When entering your release data in MES or MES Web, set the desired starting point under Pre-listening.

After the release has been successfully delivered to TikTok, this starting point determines which section of the track is made available for use in TikTok videos. Users can then select a portion from the available 60-second section for their videos.

TikTok allows artists to apply for an Artist Account directly in the TikTok app. Once your Artist Account has been approved and linked to your music catalogue, your officially delivered recordings can appear in the Music tab on your TikTok profile.

To apply, open the TikTok app and go to Profile > Menu > TikTok Studio > Artist Hub (sometimes shown as TikTok for Artists) and select Apply now. Search for your artist name in TikTok’s music library, select the correct artist profile and claim it. TikTok will then ask you to provide proof that you represent the artist, for example screenshots from your distributor account, Spotify for Artists or Apple Music for Artists. After submitting the application, TikTok will review your request.

If the Artist Hub is not available in your account, you cannot find the correct artist profile or the application does not work, contact us. Rebeat can submit a request to TikTok on your behalf.

When your music is delivered to TikTok, it can become available as an official Sound and be used by creators in their videos. Eligible uses are identified and reported by TikTok.

However, not every video in which your music can be heard is necessarily linked to the official Sound. This can happen, for example, if the music was recorded as part of the video, played in the background or uploaded as part of the video’s original sound.

If you believe that a TikTok video using your music has not been correctly matched or reported, contact us and include the URL of the TikTok video and the ISRC of the track. We can submit the video to TikTok for claiming. TikTok will then review the request and determine whether the usage can be matched and claimed. This process may take a few days.

SoundCloud

SoundCloud Artist IDs can be used to make sure your releases are assigned to the correct artist profile. There are three possible scenarios:

1. New artist without an existing SoundCloud profile
If the artist does not yet have a SoundCloud profile and you are delivering the first release, SoundCloud will automatically create a new artist profile.

2. A SoundCloud profile already exists
If the artist already has a SoundCloud profile, enter the corresponding SoundCloud Artist ID when delivering the release.

The Artist ID is the profile name at the end of the SoundCloud URL. For a URL such as soundcloud.com/artistname, the Artist ID would be artistname.

You can also paste the full SoundCloud profile URL into the corresponding field in MES or MES Web. The Artist ID will be extracted automatically.

3. The release was assigned to the wrong profile
If an incorrect Artist ID was entered or previous releases, for example through another distributor, were not linked to the correct profile, contact us. Provide the URLs of both SoundCloud profiles and let us know which profile should be used. We can then request a correction from SoundCloud.

Note: If you upload your tracks to SoundCloud yourself, disable delivery to SoundCloud through Rebeat in the Distribution Matrix to avoid duplicate releases.

Apple Music

Make sure to enter the artist name with correct spelling in the MES in the tab “contributor management” (in “track data”) and add the respective Artist ID of the Apple profile (Apple ID)

Make sure the artist name is entered correctly in Contributor Management in MES or MES Web.

To assign the release to the correct Apple Music artist profile, you can use the search function in Contributor Management and select the matching artist profile from the results.

Alternatively, you can enter the artist’s Apple Artist ID manually if you already know it. You can find the Artist ID in the URL of the Apple Music artist profile. The number at the end of the link is the Artist ID.

Using the correct artist profile or Artist ID helps ensure that the release is delivered to the intended Apple Music artist page.

Apple Music for Artists is Apple’s platform for managing your artist presence and analyzing the performance of your music across Apple Music and Shazam.

Key features include:

  • Detailed statistics on plays, listeners, purchases and Shazams
  • Insights into where your listeners are located and how they discover your music
  • Uploading and updating your artist image
  • Adding an artist logo and customizing the appearance of your artist page
  • Featuring selected releases, playlists, music videos or other content on your artist page
  • Adding artist information and personal Q&A content
  • Managing lyrics
  • Adding team members with different access permissions

To request access to your artist profile, go to artists.apple.com and sign in with your Apple Account. Then select Request Artist Access and search for your artist page using the link to your Apple Music or iTunes Store artist profile.

Select one of your albums to confirm that you are requesting access to the correct artist profile and complete the verification process. You must be listed as a primary artist on the release.

Your music must have been live on Apple Music for at least five business days before you can claim the artist page.

Artists and artist managers can claim an artist page. Additional team members, such as label representatives, can be added once access has been granted.

Dolby Atmos creates an immersive Spatial Audio experience by allowing individual elements of a song to be positioned around the listener in three-dimensional space. This provides greater depth, clarity and creative possibilities compared to traditional stereo.

For artists and labels, Dolby Atmos on Apple Music offers additional benefits:

  • A more immersive listening experience on compatible devices
  • Greater creative freedom in mixing and production
  • Support across AirPods, Beats, Apple devices and many other compatible playback systems
  • Up to a 10% higher share of sound-recording royalties for content also available in Spatial Audio

Motion Artwork allows you to complement your static album cover on Apple Music with an animated version. Movement and visual effects can help communicate the mood of your release and make your artwork stand out more prominently on Apple Music.

Motion Artwork may appear on the album page and in other areas of Apple Music.

You can upload your Motion Artwork directly in MES or MES Web when creating your release. The most important technical requirements are also shown during the upload process.

Apple provides detailed specifications for dimensions, duration, file formats, animation and the different placements in Apple Music. As these requirements may change, we recommend always creating your Motion Artwork according to the latest Apple Music Album Motion Guidelines.

Facebook & Instagram

Yes. We can submit a verification request for your artist account to Meta. Please contact us and include the URL of your Instagram profile.

Please note that the final decision is made by Meta and verification cannot be guaranteed.

If your recordings are not linked to the correct Instagram artist profile, contact us and provide the following information:

  • The URL of your Instagram profile
  • The ISRCs of the affected tracks

We can then review the mapping and, if necessary, request a correction from Meta.

Beatport

If you already have a label profile on Beatport, make sure that the label name in your metadata exactly matches the name used on your Beatport label profile for every delivery.

If you do not yet have your own Beatport label profile, you can start the Beatport Label Application directly through Rebeat:

In MES, you can find the Beatport Label Application under Extras > Beatport Label Application.

In MES Web, you can find the Beatport Label Application directly on the homepage in the Service section.

Once your application has been approved, releases delivered to Beatport under the corresponding label name will be assigned to your label profile. The submitted label logo will also be displayed there.

YouTube

YouTube Content ID is an automated system for identifying copyrighted content. Your recordings are stored by YouTube as audio references.

When YouTube detects a match between one of these references and an uploaded video, a Content ID claim is created automatically. This allows uses of your music on YouTube to be identified and handled according to the applicable policy.

A Content ID claim is not the same as a copyright strike on YouTube.

In MES, you can find your YouTube Content ID claims under Extras > YouTube Claim Management.

In MES Web, go to Conflicts and Claims > YouTube Claims.

Both applications provide an overview of your active claims, including information such as:

  • YouTube video title
  • YouTube channel
  • Number of views
  • Matched track
  • Video upload date
  • Claim origin
  • Monetization, tracking or blocking
  • Applied policy

The overview is intended for monitoring and reviewing your claims.

YouTube Music

A Topic Channel is automatically created by YouTube when an artist’s music is delivered to YouTube Music through a distributor. It corresponds to the artist profile on YouTube Music and serves as the central destination for the artist’s officially delivered music.

YouTube Music is a separate music streaming service operated by YouTube, comparable to Spotify or Apple Music. It can be accessed in a browser as well as through the YouTube Music app on smartphones and other devices.

On YouTube, Topic Channels can usually be recognized by the “- Topic” suffix after the artist name.

Topic Channels include automatically generated Art Tracks. An Art Track is a YouTube video automatically created from the delivered audio file, cover artwork and metadata. It is not a music video uploaded by the artist, but the YouTube version of a track delivered to YouTube Music.

If an Official Artist Channel is created later, the artist’s own YouTube channel and Topic Channel are brought together as one central artist presence.

When a release is delivered for the first time, YouTube Music automatically assigns it to an existing artist profile or Topic Channel. If several artists have the same or a similar name, a release may occasionally be assigned to the wrong profile.

In this case, contact us and provide:

  • Artist name
  • Link to the incorrect Topic Channel or YouTube Music artist profile
  • Link to the correct Topic Channel or YouTube Music artist profile, if one already exists
  • Details of the affected release(s)

We can then request a correction from YouTube.

An Official Artist Channel (OAC) brings together an artist’s entire presence on YouTube in one central place. This includes the artist’s own YouTube channel, Topic Channel and official music releases.

Once the Official Artist Channel has been created, the associated content and subscribers are brought together. This gives fans one central channel for the artist’s music, music videos and other content.

An Official Artist Channel is not created automatically. Rebeat can submit the request to YouTube on your behalf if the relevant requirements are met.

To be eligible, you generally need:

  • A YouTube channel dedicated to a single artist or band
  • At least one official music release on YouTube Music delivered through a label or distributor
  • An existing Topic Channel or YouTube Music artist profile
  • A channel that complies with YouTube’s policies
  • Ideally, at least one publicly available video on your own YouTube channel

Rebeat can submit the OAC request to YouTube on your behalf. Contact us and provide:

  • The link to your own YouTube channel
  • The link to your Topic Channel or YouTube Music artist profile

YouTube will then review the request. Processing usually takes around 7 to 14 days.

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