If you want to distribute AI music to Spotify or Apple Music, DistroKid is the best fit. It lets you distribute unlimited tracks for a fixed annual fee and supports AI music. This article thoroughly explains how to use DistroKid, from account registration to distributing tracks and receiving revenue.
What You'll Learn
The information you need to start distributing music with DistroKid.
- DistroKid's features and how it differs from other services
- The steps from account registration to your first release
- Points to note when distributing AI music
- How to check your revenue and the withdrawal procedure
What Is DistroKid?
One of the World's Largest Music Distributors
DistroKid is a New York-based music distribution service founded in 2013. Popular with indie artists and AI music creators, it's now one of the most widely used distributors in the world.
DistroKid's features:
- Fixed annual fee — no extra charge no matter how many tracks you upload
- 100% revenue passthrough — no fees deducted from your sales
- Distribution speed — from review to distribution in as little as 1–2 days
- Supported platforms — Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and 30+ more
- AI music support — no explicit prohibition, and many AI tracks are already distributed
Comparison with Other Distributors
A comparison table with the major distributors:
| Service | Fee model | AI music support | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | From $24.99/year | ○ | Unlimited distribution, fast review |
| TuneCore | Annual (per track) | △ | Strict review of AI tracks |
| CD Baby | From $9.95/track | ○ | One-time purchase model |
| RouteNote | From free | ○ | Revenue-share option available |
| narasu | − | × | AI tracks banned since May 2025 |
If you're distributing AI music, DistroKid — with clear support and easy-to-pass review — is our recommendation.
DistroKid's Pricing Plans
The Difference Between the Three Plans
DistroKid has three pricing plans. Choose based on your goal.
| Plan | Annual | Artists | Main features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musician | $24.99 | 1 name | Basic features only |
| Musician Plus | $39.99 | 2 names | Custom label name, release date scheduling |
| Ultimate | $59.99 | Unlimited | All features, Teams feature |
Which Plan to Choose
If you're using DistroKid for the first time, the Musician plan is plenty to start.
Cases where you should consider upgrading to Musician Plus:
- You want to work under multiple artist names
- You want to display your own label name
- You want to schedule release dates precisely
The Ultimate plan is for artists who do music seriously and for small labels.
Add-On Options
In addition to the base plan, DistroKid lets you add the following paid options.
- Leave a Legacy — $1.49/year; keeps your tracks live even after you cancel
- Shazam — $0.99/year; enables recognition in Shazam
- YouTube Content ID — $4.95/year; enables YouTube monetization
- Lyrics — free; register lyrics
Leave a Legacy in particular is worth subscribing to, since your tracks won't be removed even if you don't renew your subscription.
The Account Registration Steps
Step 1: Go to the Official Site
First, go to the DistroKid official site.
Click the "Sign up" or "Get Started" button on the top page to begin registration.
Step 2: Enter Your Account Information
Enter the following information.
- Email address — a valid email address
- Password — a secure password of 8 characters or more
- Name — your real name (needed to receive revenue)
Registration with a Google or Facebook account is also possible.
Step 3: Choose a Plan
Choose from the three plans — Musician, Musician Plus, and Ultimate. For your first time, the Musician plan is recommended.
Step 4: Register Payment Information
Enter your credit card information. Supported card brands:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- JCB (registration with Link may be required)
Payment by PayPal is also possible.
Step 5: Set Up Artist Information
Set the artist name you'll use for distribution.
Note that once set, the artist name cannot be changed later. Decide carefully.
How to Upload Tracks
What to Prepare in Advance
To make the distribution request go smoothly, prepare the following files in advance.
The three files you need:
- Music file — WAV or FLAC format, 16-bit/44.1 kHz or higher
- Cover image — 3000×3000 pixels or larger, JPG or PNG format
- Track information — title, artist name, genre, language
Audio files downloaded from Suno or Udio can be distributed as-is, but we recommend adding a light adjustment in a DAW.
The Upload Steps
- Log in to the dashboard — log in to DistroKid
- Click Upload — select the "Upload" button at the top of the screen
- Choose single or album — one track is a single; two or more is an album
- Upload the music file — drag and drop or select the file
- Upload the cover image — upload a square image
- Enter the metadata — set title, genre, language, etc.
- Select distribution destinations — check Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.
- Set the release date — choose same-day or a specified date
- Submit — complete the distribution request
Key Points for Entering Metadata
Metadata is an important field that affects searchability and revenue. Watch the following points when entering it.
- Title — the song name only; put subtitles in a separate field
- Artist name — use consistent notation
- Genre — choose the one closest to the track
- Language — the language of the lyrics; for instrumentals, "Instrumental"
- ISRC — leave blank is fine (it's auto-generated)
Selecting Distribution Destinations
DistroKid lets you distribute to 30+ platforms at once. The main destinations:
- Spotify
- Apple Music / iTunes
- Amazon Music
- YouTube Music
- TikTok / Resso
- Pandora
- Deezer
- Tidal
By default almost all destinations are checked, so unless you have a special reason, leaving it as-is is fine.
Points to Note When Distributing AI Music
Tips for Passing Review
To get AI music through review as well, watch the following points.
- Originality — avoid imitating existing artists
- Appropriate length — avoid extremely short tracks of 30 seconds or less
- Avoid spam — don't upload a large number of similar tracks at once
- Accurate metadata — don't enter false information
Use Tracks Generated on a Paid Plan
Tracks generated on the free plans of Suno or Udio are prohibited from commercial use. Always use tracks generated on a paid plan (Pro or higher).
Adding Edits Is Recommended
Rather than distributing the AI output as-is, we recommend adding light edits in a DAW (music editing software).
- Adding fade-in/fade-out
- Adjusting volume (loudness)
- Cutting unnecessary sections
- Simple mixing
This adds "human creative involvement," which may also be advantageous from a copyright-protection standpoint.
From Review to Distribution Start
How Long Review Takes
DistroKid's review is very fast, completing in as little as about 5 minutes. Depending on the content, however, it can sometimes take several days.
You can check the review status in the "Music" section of the dashboard.
When Each Platform Goes Live
After passing review, the rough time until each streaming service goes live:
| Platform | Rough time to go live |
|---|---|
| Spotify | 1–3 days |
| Apple Music | 1–7 days (rarely 1–2 weeks) |
| Amazon Music | 1–5 days |
| YouTube Music | A few days to 1 week |
| TikTok | 1–3 days |
If you specify a release date, it goes live to match that day. However, on some platforms like Apple Music, review can take time, so plan a schedule with breathing room.
Linking with Spotify for Artists
After distribution starts, registering with Spotify for Artists lets you use the following features.
- Detailed analysis of play counts and listener data
- Editing your artist profile
- Playlist pitching before a new release
- Setting up Canvas (looping video)
You can request linking to Spotify for Artists directly from the DistroKid dashboard.
Checking and Withdrawing Revenue
How to Check Revenue
You can check revenue in the "Bank" section of the DistroKid dashboard.
Payment data from each streaming service is reflected with a delay of 1–3 months after the plays. This is a standard industry lag, not something specific to DistroKid.
Withdrawal Methods
There are three methods for withdrawing revenue.
- PayPal — the lowest fees and recommended
- Bank transfer — international transfer fees can be high
- ACH — supports U.S. bank accounts only
If you live outside the U.S., receiving payment via PayPal is usually the smoothest.
The Withdrawal Steps
- Go to the Bank section — select "Bank" from the dashboard
- Click Withdraw — select the withdrawal button
- Enter the amount — enter the amount you want to withdraw
- Choose the destination — select PayPal or a bank account
- Confirm and request — check the details and request the withdrawal
Withdrawals are usually processed in 1–5 business days.
Troubleshooting
Common Problems and Solutions
Q. What if my submission fails review?
If it fails review, DistroKid notifies you of the reason by email. In many cases, one of the following is the cause.
- The cover image resolution is low
- There is a deficiency in the metadata
- Similarity to an existing track was detected
Fix the point identified and resubmit.
Q. I can't find my track on Spotify
Right after distribution starts, it may not appear in search results. Wait 1–2 days and search again.
If you still can't find it, you can check the Spotify link directly in the DistroKid dashboard.
Q. My payment isn't showing up
Payment data from streaming services is reflected with a delay of 1–3 months. If it isn't reflected after waiting a while, contact DistroKid support.
Contacting Support
You can use DistroKid support from the chat icon at the bottom right of the dashboard. Communication is in English, but if you ask in simple English, they'll respond politely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I distribute just one track?
Yes. You can distribute from a single track as a single.
Q2. Can I remove a track after distribution?
Yes, you can request removal from the dashboard. However, it takes 1–2 weeks to be completely removed from each platform.
Q3. What if I want to distribute under multiple artist names?
With the Musician Plus plan ($39.99/year) or higher, distribution under multiple artist names is possible.
Q4. What happens if I cancel my subscription?
If you haven't subscribed to the Leave a Legacy option, the tracks you have in distribution are removed from each platform.
Q5. Is support available in languages other than English?
Unfortunately, DistroKid's support is English-only. The UI, however, supports multiple languages.
Summary
DistroKid is the ideal distributor for AI music creators. You can distribute unlimited tracks from $24.99/year, with 100% revenue passthrough. Review is fast, and it has a policy that's tolerant of AI music.
Actions you can start right now:
- Register with DistroKid — create an account here
- Prepare a track and cover — WAV/FLAC audio and a 3000×3000 px image
- Upload your first track — actually distribute one to get a feel for the flow
The AI music distribution environment evolves daily. Use DistroKid to deliver your music to listeners around the world.
This article is based on information as of January 2026. Pricing and features are subject to change, so check the official site for the latest information.