To get an Official Artist Channel (OAC), you must own and operate a YouTube channel that represents you or your band, have at least three official music releases delivered to YouTube by a distributor (like DistroKid or TuneCore), and have no policy violations. Once these criteria are met, you can request the OAC through your distributor’s dashboard. YouTube will then merge your personal channel, your Topic channel, and your Vevo channel (if you have one) into a single verified home, featuring a music note icon next to your name.
1. The Steps to Claim Your OAC
If you meet the “3-release” requirement, follow these steps to claim your badge:
- Check Your Distributor: Most major distributors have a specific “YouTube OAC” or “YouTube Artist” section in their settings.
- Submit Your Channel URL: Please provide the link to your personal YouTube channel (the one you want to make the “Official” one).
- Wait for the Merge: YouTube usually takes 2 to 6 weeks to process the request. Once approved, your “Topic” channel subscribers will be merged into your main channel.
- Organize Your Home: Once you have OAC status, you get new layout options. You can now organize your page into “Official Music Videos” and “Albums & Singles” sections.
2. The Benefits of the OAC
- The Music Note Icon: Instantly signals to fans and the algorithm that you are the verified source.
- Unified Analytics: You get access to Analytics for Artists, which shows you how your music is performing across all of YouTube (including videos made by fans).
- Search Dominance: An OAC ensures that when someone searches for your name, your official content appears at the very top.
3. The “OAC” Illusion: Visibility vs. Revenue
Having a verified channel is a great branding move, but it doesn’t fix the massive hole in your wallet. Many artists think that because they have an OAC and a distributor, they are getting paid for every “play” on YouTube. This is false.
YouTube generates two distinct types of royalties, and your distributor only has the “keys” to one of them.
| Feature | YouTube OAC / Distribution | Audiobulb Publishing Administration |
| Identity | Verifies your brand. | Verifies your ownership. |
| Money Collected | Master (Recording) Royalties via Content ID. | Songwriting (Performance & Mechanical) Royalties. |
| Who Gets Paid? | The person who uploaded the file. | The person who wrote the song. |
| Global Reach | Limited to store reports. | Direct registration with global societies. |
4. Why You Are Losing Money on YouTube
When your music is used in a YouTube video (either yours or a fan’s), it triggers Mechanical Royalties and Performance Royalties.
- The Distributor Trap: Most distributors only collect the “Master” share through YouTube Content ID. They do not collect the “Songwriter” share from YouTube Music or the “Micro-Sync” royalties from user-generated content.
- The Black Box: If you aren’t registered with a publishing administrator, the songwriting portion of your YouTube revenue is sent to a “Black Box.” After a few years, that money is given away to major labels and top-performing artists because it was never claimed by you.
5. How Audiobulb Solves the “Missing Money” Problem
At Audiobulb, we don’t just care about your channel look—we care about your bank account. We act as the bridge between your YouTube presence and the global royalties you are currently leaving on the table.
- 0% Commission: While some “Pro” distribution services take a 20% cut of your publishing, Audiobulb takes nothing. For a flat $19.99/year, we collect 100% of your global publishing royalties.
- Active Rights Tracking: Unlike a distributor that waits for a report, our technology actively tracks your music’s usage across YouTube. If your song goes viral in a Shorts trend, we ensure every single view is accounted for.
- Global Registration: We register your songs directly with The MLC, PRS, IPRS, and other global entities. This ensures that the “Songwriter Share” of your YouTube revenue actually reaches you, not the Black Box.
Summary
Claiming your Official Artist Channel is essential for your brand, but it’s only half of the job. A blue note icon won’t pay your rent if you’re letting 50% of your royalties slip through the cracks. To be a truly “Official” artist, you need to own your data and your rights.
Your Next Step: Are you ready to get the blue note and the full check? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year to claim your global publishing royalties and ensure every view on YouTube is working for you, not against you.