The Artist Music Group is a platform for artists and we believe in everyone’s right to share their voice. However, due to operational reasons, not all content can be approved for distribution. In this article, we highlight some type of content that is not accepted for distribution by The Artist Music Group.
This policy explains what we can and can’t deliver to streaming, download, and UGC platforms.
Two Types of Service
Type | Examples | What It Means |
Non-UGC (Streaming & Downloads) | Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, Tidal, etc. | Regular streaming or download services. Music here is released for listening or purchase, not for content fingerprinting. |
UGC (User-Generated Content) | YouTube Content ID, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snap | Platforms where users add music to their own videos. These require exclusive ownership and completely unique recordings. |
What We Don’t Accept (Applies to All Platforms)
Copyright & Ownership
Anything that uses samples, loops, beats, vocals, or stems you don’t fully own or can’t prove you cleared.
Royalty-free, stock, or production music, even if you paid for it, unless you have exclusive rights.
Public domain content, including classical, traditional, or archive recordings, even if newly recorded.
Wholly or partially AI-generated material and AI-generated material where you can’t clearly prove ownership and copyrightability.
Sound-alikes that closely imitate another song including karaoke versions where you don’t own the original Comment end
Bootlegs, leaks, or unauthorized live recordings.
Releases that misuse or impersonate someone else’s name, brand, or identity.
Metadata & Presentation
Misleading titles, fake artist names, or false collaborations.
Metadata designed to manipulate search results (e.g., “Drake Type Beat”).
Incorrect or duplicate ISRCs, UPCs, or credits.
Artwork that contains information that doesn’t match the metadata of the release, includes copyrighted images, logos, QR codes, or low-quality designs.
Non-Musical or Low-Quality Audio
Podcasts, speeches, sermons, audiobooks, audioplays, other spoken word-only content, or ambient sound-only recordings.
White noise, nature sounds, or meditation tracks without a musical composition.
Broken, distorted, or silent audio.
Tracks with long silence at the start or end.
Harmful or Offensive Content
Hate speech, discrimination, or harassment.
Sexually explicit or violent material.
Promotion of self-harm, misinformation, or illegal activity.
Compilations & Re-Releases
We love catalog re-releases, but they need to be transparent and genuine.
If you’re compiling previously released material, mark it as a compilation in your metadata.
Don’t re-upload old tracks as brand-new unless they’ve been clearly changed, for example:
Remastered
Re-recorded
Remixed
Performed live or acoustically
Small tweaks (trimming, EQ changes, re-exporting) don’t count as new versions.
The same recording shouldn’t appear multiple times across different releases.
For UGC platforms, re-releases or compilations of existing audio are not eligible as they fail uniqueness checks.
Catalog Quality & Platform Standards
Streaming platforms increasingly evaluate distributors on catalog integrity, compliance, and listener engagement. To stay aligned with these standards, The Artist Music Group periodically reviews catalog performance and content quality.
We may review or remove releases that:
Repeatedly fail metadata or feed delivery requirements.
Contain functional, non-musical, or low-engagement/low streaming content.
Are repeated, derivative, or non-unique uploads.
Are linked to artificial streaming or other platform manipulation.
Why we do this:
By ensuring all releases meet platform standards and audience expectations, we protect your music’s position across DSPs and keep The Artist Music Group in good standing with our partners. This approach supports genuine artists and labels while reducing the risk of content rejection, delayed ingestion, or visibility loss on major platforms.
Please note that all releases are also subject to streaming platforms’ own policies for acceptance and monetization. E.g., platforms may de-monetize or remove content that has low listener engagement regardless of The Artist Music Group's activities. For convenience, see the following platform reference materials (the platforms’ current policies govern):
Rules for Non-UGC Platforms
You have more freedom here, but your release must still:
Be original, legal, and owned or controlled by you.
Have accurate metadata and credits.
Use proper artist, label, and version fields (no hidden features or tags).
Avoid duplicate or near-identical uploads (sped-up, slowed-down, reversed, etc.) unless they are official artist/label versions, or you have traceable license documentation from the artist or rights holder.
Rules for UGC Platforms (YouTube Content ID, Facebook, TikTok, Snap)
UGC platforms use fingerprinting technology to track ownership, so only certain content qualifies.
Your recording is eligible for UGC only if:
You own exclusive rights to 100% of the master.
The audio is unique and original, not derived from any other track.
It is a musical recording, not speech, ambience, or SFX.
It passes fingerprint scans with no matches.
It does not include public domain or stock content, even if re-recorded.
When in doubt, leave it out. We can help you find another way to share it. We may remove any recordings that do not meet UGC platforms’ standards.
Enforcement & Appeals
Every release is reviewed for rights, metadata, and audio integrity.
Content that breaks this policy may be blocked or removed.
Repeated or serious violations can lead to account suspension or permanent loss of UGC access.
If you believe your content was flagged in error, email [email protected] with your ownership documentation.
If Your Content Isn’t Eligible
You can still share it directly on your own channels, YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. That’s the best option for public domain, sample-based, or experimental content that doesn’t meet UGC or DSP rules.
Quick Summary
Don’t upload if… | Because… |
You didn’t create or fully own it | You can’t distribute what isn’t yours |
It’s public domain, stock, or royalty-free | It’s not exclusive to you |
It’s a remix, cover, or reused track | It’s not unique enough for UGC |
It’s offensive, fake, illegal, or misleading | It breaks platform rules |
It’s already been released elsewhere | It’s not new or original |
It’s not actually music | UGC & DSPs are for musical works |
We’re Here to Help
If you’re unsure whether your release qualifies, just ask us first. We’ll guide you through the best and safest way to release your music.
💡 For further information please refer to our Distribution Agreement.