What are streaming royalties?

Streaming royalties are payments made to artists, songwriters, and rights holders each time their music is played on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music. These royalties represent the primary income source for most musicians today.

How are streaming royalties calculated?

Streaming platforms do not pay a fixed per-stream rate. Instead, each service pools its monthly subscription and advertising revenue, then distributes it proportionally based on each artist's share of total plays. If your streams represent 0.1% of a platform's total monthly streams, you receive 0.1% of the royalty pool. This is why per-stream rates vary month to month and differ between artists.

What is Spotify Discovery Mode?

Spotify Discovery Mode is a promotional tool where artists accept a reduced royalty rate (approximately 30% lower) in exchange for increased algorithmic promotion. Enabled tracks receive boosted placement in Radio, Autoplay, and personalized recommendations. This calculator includes a Discovery Mode toggle to estimate earnings with this trade-off.

Why do some streaming services pay more than others?

Platforms appearing to pay higher per-stream rates typically have smaller user bases. Fewer total streams means the same revenue pool is divided among fewer plays, creating a higher per-stream figure—but not necessarily higher artist earnings. What matters is total reach: Spotify pays out more total royalties than any other service because of its scale.

How can I increase my streaming royalties?

Focus on growing your audience through playlist placements, social media promotion, and consistent releases. Negotiate favorable terms with your distributor or label. Track your streaming analytics to understand which markets and playlists drive the most revenue. Consider whether Discovery Mode trade-offs make sense for specific tracks.

How do I get my music on streaming platforms?

You need a digital distributor to upload your music to Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. Unlike labels, distributors like DistroKid let you keep 100% of your royalties. They handle delivery to 150+ stores for a flat annual fee. Claim 7% off DistroKid here .

How accurate is this calculator?

This calculator provides estimates using industry average rates for educational purposes. Actual royalties depend on listener geography, subscription tiers, platform policies, and your specific distributor agreement. Rates fluctuate monthly as revenue pools and total platform streams change. For precise earnings, always check your distributor dashboard. This site is independent and not affiliated with any streaming platform.