The short version
Use a distributor for YouTube Music. Use your own channel for artist content.
YouTube says music audio files and metadata need to be delivered through an aggregator or distributor for full publication on YouTube and YouTube Music. Your own channel remains the place for official videos, lyric videos, performances, Shorts and fan-facing content.
1. Use a distributor for public YouTube Music releases
YouTube explains that artists need an aggregator or music distributor to deliver audio files and metadata so the release is fully published on YouTube and YouTube Music. A distributor handles the industry-standard delivery, metadata and royalty reporting that a normal channel upload does not provide.
Official reference: YouTube: Music aggregators.
2. Prepare the master, artwork and metadata
Before uploading, finish the master and lock the artist name, song title, cover artwork, songwriter information, release date and rights information. YouTube's Art Track system uses the metadata delivered by the distributor, so mistakes can follow the release into the generated YouTube Music assets.
3. Select YouTube Music in the distributor upload form
With DistroKid, YouTube Music can be selected as a destination during the normal upload process. Once the release is delivered, YouTube can make the music available in YouTube Music and also create an Art Track on the main YouTube platform.
Official reference: DistroKid: What is YouTube Music?.
4. Understand Art Tracks
An Art Track is an automatically generated YouTube version of a song that combines the sound recording with the release artwork. YouTube creates these from distributor or label deliveries so a recording can exist on YouTube even when no official music video has been produced.
YouTube identifies Art Tracks using delivery information that includes the recording ISRC and the release identifier such as a UPC, EAN or GRid.
Official reference: YouTube: What is an Art Track?.
5. Do not confuse a Topic Channel with your own channel
DistroKid explains that YouTube places distributor-delivered Art Tracks on an automatically generated Topic Channel. That Topic Channel is created by YouTube, not by the artist or DistroKid, and it is separate from the YouTube channel you created yourself.
You can still upload official music videos, lyric videos, live performances and Shorts to your own channel. Distribution and normal channel uploads serve different purposes and can work together.
Official reference: DistroKid: Distribution vs direct YouTube uploads.
6. Claim an Official Artist Channel when eligible
An Official Artist Channel can bring your artist presence together by linking your official releases and YouTube channel. YouTube says OAC requests are handled through a label, distributor or eligible music service partner, and recommends having at least one public video on the artist channel in addition to an official release.
Official reference: YouTube: Official Artist Channels.
7. Art Track distribution and Content ID are not the same thing
Sending a release to YouTube Music creates the official music delivery path. Content ID is a separate rights-management system that scans user-uploaded videos for matching audio and can monetize eligible uses of your recording.
Do not assume every distributed song is automatically eligible for Content ID. Rights must be sufficiently exclusive, and non-exclusive loops, beats or samples can create conflicts.
8. A private YouTube Music upload is not distribution
YouTube Music also lets individual users upload personal music files to their own library, but those uploads are private to that user. Other listeners cannot access them, so this feature is not a replacement for distributor delivery.
Official reference: YouTube Music: Personal library uploads.
9. Promote both the release and your own channel content
After the release is live, use your artist channel for the promotional layer: full videos, lyric videos, Shorts, playlists, community posts and release announcements. The distributor-created Art Track gives YouTube Music the official release asset, while your own content gives fans more reasons to engage with the song.
A simple YouTube Music release workflow
1. Finish the master, artwork and metadata.
2. Upload the release through your distributor.
3. Select YouTube Music as a destination.
4. Check the live Art Track and Topic Channel for correct mapping.
5. Keep publishing original videos and Shorts on your own channel.
6. Request an Official Artist Channel when eligible.
7. Add Content ID only if the recording meets the rights requirements.
8. Promote the release across YouTube, YouTube Music and your smart links.
YouTube Music Distribution 2026 FAQ
Do independent artists upload directly to YouTube Music? Public music releases are generally delivered through a distributor, which can create official Art Tracks and place the release in YouTube Music.
What is an Art Track? It is an automatically generated YouTube video that combines the distributed recording with release artwork and metadata.
Is a Topic Channel the same as an Official Artist Channel? No. A Topic Channel is auto-generated around distributed music, while an Official Artist Channel combines eligible artist content into a branded channel experience.
Is YouTube Content ID the same as YouTube Music distribution? No. Distribution makes the release available as music; Content ID identifies eligible uses of recordings in other videos.
Using DistroKid?
DistroKid can deliver your release to YouTube Music.
That delivery creates the route for official Art Tracks and can support a later Official Artist Channel request when your artist channel is ready.
If you sign up through the DistroKid link above, you can receive 7% off your first year and Indie Artist Stack may earn a referral reward at no extra cost to you.