TuneCore Distribution: A Comprehensive Guide to Digital Music Distribution for Independent Artists
In today's digital music landscape, independent artists have more opportunities than ever to share their music with the world. Among the many distribution platforms available, TuneCore has established itself as a leading service for musicians looking to get their music onto major streaming platforms and digital stores. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about TuneCore distribution, from its features and pricing to how it compares with competitors and how to maximize your success on the platform.
What Is TuneCore Distribution?
TuneCore is a digital music distribution service that allows independent artists to distribute their music to major streaming platforms and online music stores while maintaining 100% of their rights and royalties. Founded in 2005, TuneCore has grown to become one of the most popular distribution options for independent musicians worldwide.
The platform enables artists to make their music available on over 150 digital stores and streaming services, including industry giants like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TikTok, YouTube Music, and many more. Beyond simple distribution, TuneCore offers various additional services designed to help artists promote their music and manage their careers.
How TuneCore Distribution Works
The process of distributing your music through TuneCore is straightforward and user-friendly, making it accessible even for artists who are new to the digital distribution landscape.
Step-by-Step Distribution Process
Create an Account: Sign up on the TuneCore website by providing basic information and creating a user profile.
Upload Your Music: Upload your tracks in WAV format (16-bit, 44.1kHz), along with album artwork (3000x3000 pixels JPG or PNG).
Enter Release Information: Provide details about your release, including title, genre, release date, and track information.
Select Distribution Platforms: Choose which digital stores and streaming platforms you want your music to appear on.
Choose Additional Services: Opt for any additional services you might want, such as YouTube Content ID, social media promotion, or cover song licensing.
Payment: Pay the distribution fee, which varies depending on whether you're releasing a single or an album.
Review and Submit: Review all information for accuracy and submit your release for distribution.
After submission, TuneCore conducts a quality check to ensure your music meets the technical requirements of all platforms. Once approved, your music is delivered to the selected platforms, which typically make it available within 1-5 business days, though this can vary by platform.
TuneCore Pricing and Plans
TuneCore offers several pricing options to accommodate different artist needs and budgets. Unlike some competitors that take a percentage of your earnings, TuneCore operates on a flat-fee model while allowing artists to keep 100% of their royalties.
Standard Distribution Plans
TuneCore's traditional pricing structure includes:
Singles: $9.99 per year
Albums (2-20 tracks): $29.99 for the first year, then $49.99 per year for continued distribution
Ringtones: $19.99 per year
Unlimited Subscription Plans
In 2021, TuneCore introduced new subscription plans called "New Artist" and "Rising Artist" plans that allow for unlimited releases:
New Artist: $19.99 per year for unlimited single releases (only to selected stores)
Rising Artist: $29.99 per year for unlimited singles and 1 album per year
Breakout Artist: $49.99 per year for unlimited singles and 2 albums
Professional: $99.99 per year for unlimited singles and unlimited albums
Additional Services and Fees
TuneCore offers several value-added services at additional costs:
YouTube Content ID: $29.99 per release (one-time fee)
Cover Song Licensing: $14.99 per song
Publishing Administration: 20% commission on publishing royalties collected
TuneCore Social: Plans starting at $7.99 per month for social media promotion tools
For independent artists weighing their distribution options, a comprehensive look at the best independent music distribution services can help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.
TuneCore's Distribution Network
One of TuneCore's major strengths is its extensive distribution network, which includes over 150 digital music services worldwide. This broad reach ensures your music is available to listeners regardless of their preferred platform or geographic location.
Major Platforms
TuneCore distributes to all major streaming and download platforms, including:
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
YouTube Music
TikTok
Instagram/Facebook
Pandora
Deezer
TIDAL
iHeartRadio
Napster
Anghami
JioSaavn
International Reach
TuneCore also distributes to region-specific platforms, making it particularly valuable for artists looking to reach international audiences:
Asia: QQ Music, NetEase Cloud Music, KKBOX, AWA
Africa: Boomplay, Mdundo
Latin America: Claro Música
Middle East: Anghami
Europe: Yandex Music
Royalties and Payments
One of TuneCore's most attractive features for independent artists is its royalty structure: you keep 100% of your royalty earnings. This differs significantly from many competitors who take a percentage cut of your earnings.
How Royalties Work
When your music is streamed or purchased on digital platforms, those platforms pay royalties to TuneCore, which then passes 100% of those royalties to you. The actual amount you earn per stream varies widely by platform:
Apple Music: Approximately $0.006-$0.008 per stream
Spotify: Approximately $0.003-$0.005 per stream
Amazon Music: Approximately $0.004 per stream
YouTube Music: Approximately $0.001 per stream
These rates are subject to change and can vary based on factors like the listener's country and whether they're using a premium or free tier of the service.
Payment Schedule and Methods
TuneCore processes royalty payments monthly. You can choose to receive your earnings via:
Direct deposit (ACH for US artists)
PayPal
Check (subject to a minimum balance and processing fee)
Payoneer
The minimum payment threshold depends on your chosen payment method but typically ranges from $10 to $50.
Royalty Reporting and Analytics
TuneCore provides detailed sales and streaming analytics through its dashboard, allowing you to:
Track performance across different platforms
Monitor geographic distribution of your listeners
View historical sales and streaming data
Download reports for accounting purposes
This data can be invaluable for planning promotional activities and targeting specific markets where your music is gaining traction.
Additional TuneCore Services
Beyond basic distribution, TuneCore offers several additional services to help artists manage and grow their careers.
Publishing Administration
TuneCore Publishing Administration helps songwriters collect their composition royalties worldwide. For a 20% commission on collected royalties, TuneCore will:
Register your songs with collection societies worldwide
Collect mechanical royalties from streams and downloads
Collect performance royalties when your music is played publicly
Pursue sync licensing opportunities for film, TV, and advertisements
YouTube Content ID
For a one-time fee of $29.99 per release, TuneCore's YouTube Content ID service:
Identifies when your music is used in YouTube videos
Allows you to choose to monetize, track, or block that usage
Collects ad revenue when others use your music in their videos
Social Media Promotion
TuneCore Social (powered by Reposter) offers tools to promote your music across social media platforms. Features include:
Scheduled posting across multiple platforms
Content creation tools
Performance analytics
Audience insights
Cover Song Licensing
If you want to release a cover of another artist's song, TuneCore can secure the necessary mechanical licenses for $14.99 per song, ensuring that your cover is legal and that the original songwriters receive their due royalties.
TuneCore vs. Competitors
The digital music distribution space is competitive, with several platforms vying for independent artists' business. Here's how TuneCore compares to some of its main competitors:
TuneCore vs. DistroKid
DistroKid charges $19.99/year for unlimited releases, making it potentially more economical for prolific artists. However, TuneCore's new subscription plans have narrowed this gap. DistroKid also offers faster distribution and some unique features like automatic splits for collaborations, but TuneCore generally provides more comprehensive analytics and additional services.
TuneCore vs. CD Baby
CD Baby charges a one-time fee ($9.95 for singles, $29 for albums) plus takes 9% of royalties. This means no annual renewal fees, but potentially less money in your pocket if your music performs well. CD Baby also offers physical CD and vinyl distribution, which TuneCore doesn't provide.
TuneCore vs. UnitedMasters
UnitedMasters offers a free tier that takes 10% of royalties or a $59.99/year plan that lets artists keep 100% of royalties. They emphasize brand partnership opportunities but have a smaller distribution network than TuneCore.
TuneCore vs. AWAL
AWAL is more selective, requiring an application process, but charges no upfront fees while taking 15% of royalties. They offer more label-like services including marketing support and advances to qualifying artists, positioning themselves as a premium option compared to TuneCore's more accessible model.
Maximizing Success with TuneCore
To get the most out of your TuneCore distribution, consider implementing these strategies and best practices:
Release Strategies
Pre-save campaigns: Set up pre-saves for your releases to build anticipation and improve day-one performance.
Release timing: Consider releasing singles to build momentum before dropping a full album.
Release calendar: Friday releases align with playlist updates on major platforms.
Consistent output: Regular releases keep your audience engaged and can improve algorithmic recommendations.
Metadata Optimization
Accurate genre selection: Choose primary and sub-genres that truly reflect your music.
Detailed credits: Include all songwriters, producers, and featured artists.
ISRC and UPC codes: Use TuneCore's free codes or bring your own if you have them.
Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your album descriptions to improve searchability.
Promotion Tactics
Playlist pitching: Use TuneCore's Spotify playlist pitching tool for editorial consideration.
Cross-platform promotion: Promote your releases across all your social media channels.
Collaboration: Partner with other artists to tap into their fan bases.
Music videos: Create visual content to promote on YouTube and social platforms.
Having a strong online presence is crucial for musicians in today's digital landscape. Check out this guide to the best free platforms for building your musician website to complement your distribution strategy.
Common Questions About TuneCore Distribution
How long does TuneCore take to distribute music?
After you submit your release, TuneCore typically delivers it to all platforms within 1-3 business days. From there, each platform has its own processing time, usually ranging from 24 hours to 5 business days. For pre-releases, TuneCore recommends submitting your music at least 4 weeks before your desired release date to ensure timely availability across all platforms.
Can I change my music after it's been distributed?
Once your music has been distributed, you can make certain changes to metadata like artist name, album title, or genre through the TuneCore dashboard. However, for changes to the actual audio files or artwork, you'll need to take down the release and resubmit it as a new release with a new fee. This is why it's crucial to ensure all your files are finalized before submission.
What happens if I don't renew my distribution?
If you don't pay your annual renewal fee, TuneCore will remove your music from all platforms. You'll receive reminder emails before your renewal date, and there's typically a grace period after the expiration before removal occurs. Note that if you later decide to redistribute the same release, you'll pay the initial distribution fee again, not the renewal fee.
Does TuneCore handle publishing royalties?
TuneCore's standard distribution service only handles master recording royalties (from streams and downloads). To collect publishing royalties (like performance and mechanical royalties), you'll need to sign up for TuneCore Publishing Administration as an additional service or work with another publishing administrator.
How does TuneCore pay international artists?
TuneCore pays international artists through the same methods available to US artists: PayPal, Payoneer, or direct deposit (where available). The platform supports multiple currencies, though some payment methods may involve currency conversion fees. International artists may also be subject to tax withholding requirements depending on their country's tax treaty with the United States.
Success Stories: Artists Who Built Their Careers with TuneCore
TuneCore has been instrumental in the success of many independent artists who have gone on to achieve significant recognition without traditional label support:
Chance the Rapper
Perhaps the most famous TuneCore success story, Chance the Rapper used the platform to distribute his groundbreaking mixtape "Coloring Book," which went on to win three Grammy Awards. He remained independent throughout his rise to fame, demonstrating the potential of direct distribution services like TuneCore.
Boyce Avenue
This band of brothers built their career on YouTube covers and original songs distributed through TuneCore. They've amassed billions of views and streams while maintaining ownership of their masters, demonstrating the power of combining social media savvy with independent distribution.
Russ
Before signing to a major label, rapper Russ used TuneCore to release a new song every week for years, building a substantial fan base and earning millions in streaming royalties as an independent artist.
Nine Inch Nails
After fulfilling his major label contract, Trent Reznor used TuneCore to self-release Nine Inch Nails' "Ghosts I-IV," which grossed over $1.6 million in its first week and demonstrated that established artists could successfully transition to independence.
The Future of TuneCore and Digital Distribution
TuneCore continues to evolve in response to the rapidly changing music industry. Recent developments and future trends include:
Expansion of Services
TuneCore has been expanding beyond pure distribution to offer more comprehensive career development tools. In 2021, they launched their subscription tier model to better accommodate artists at different stages of their careers. Future expansions may include more marketing tools, educational resources, and community-building features.
International Growth
TuneCore has been aggressively expanding its global presence, opening offices in key markets like Germany, France, India, and Australia. This international focus is likely to continue as streaming growth shifts from mature markets to emerging ones in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Blockchain and NFTs
As blockchain technology and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) gain traction in the music industry, TuneCore has begun exploring how these technologies can create new revenue streams for artists. In 2021, they partnered with Binance NFT Marketplace to help artists create and sell NFTs, suggesting a continued interest in emerging technologies.
Catalog Management and Data Analytics
With the growing importance of back catalogs as revenue generators, TuneCore is likely to develop more sophisticated tools for catalog management and data analytics, helping artists better understand and monetize their entire body of work.
Conclusion: Is TuneCore Right for You?
TuneCore offers a comprehensive distribution solution that has proven effective for countless independent artists across genres and career stages. Its flat-fee, keep-100%-of-royalties model is transparent and potentially very lucrative for successful artists, while its extensive distribution network ensures global reach.
The platform is particularly well-suited for:
Self-reliant artists who value maintaining complete ownership and control of their music
Established independent artists who generate significant streaming revenue and benefit from keeping 100% of royalties
Artists seeking comprehensive analytics to understand their audience and plan strategic growth
Musicians who need additional services like publishing administration and YouTube monetization
However, TuneCore may be less ideal for:
Artists on extremely tight budgets who might benefit from free distribution options
Musicians who release very infrequently and might find the annual renewal fees burdensome
Artists seeking hands-on marketing support that more label-like services might provide
Ultimately, TuneCore's value proposition centers on empowering independence while providing professional-grade distribution. Whether you're just starting your music career or looking to maintain independence after building a substantial following, TuneCore offers the tools and reach to help you succeed on your own terms in today's digital music landscape.
By understanding TuneCore's features, costs, and benefits compared to alternatives, you can make an informed decision about whether it's the right distribution partner for your unique musical journey.