SoundCloud Guide for Artists: Uploading, Growing and Earning

SoundCloud (often searched as "sound cloud") is an audio streaming platform where anyone can upload music, DJ mixes, podcasts and other recordings and share them with listeners worldwide. Founded in Berlin in 2007, it became the launchpad for countless independent artists and entire genres, because uploading is open to everyone and tracks can spread through reposts, comments and playlists without a label behind them.

This guide covers how to choose a plan, prepare files so they sound their best, grow an audience and turn plays into income.

How SoundCloud works

SoundCloud has two sides. Listeners use it free with ads, or pay for Go or Go+ subscriptions for ad-free and offline listening. Creators upload tracks to their profile, where listeners can like, repost, comment on specific moments of a track's waveform and add it to playlists. Reposts push your track into followers' feeds, which is how songs travel through communities.

It's particularly strong for electronic music, hip-hop, DJ mixes, remixes, demos and works in progress, though podcasts and spoken audio work too. Our guide to the best podcast platforms compares it with podcast-specific hosts.

Choosing a SoundCloud plan

Plan	Upload time	Key extras
Basic (free)	Limited total hours	Upload, share, basic stats
Artist	More total hours than Basic	More detailed stats, distribution and monetization tools
Artist Pro	Unlimited	Full stats, distribution, monetization, track replacement and more promotion tools

SoundCloud adjusts plan features and prices from time to time, and its help center lists the current upload allowances. Start free, and upgrade when you're releasing regularly and want distribution or detailed listener data.

Preparing audio for SoundCloud

SoundCloud transcodes every upload into compressed streaming formats. A clean, well-prepared master survives that process far better than a rushed one.

File format and settings

• Upload lossless. WAV, FLAC, AIFF or ALAC give the encoder the best source. Avoid uploading an MP3 that will be compressed a second time.
• Use standard resolution. 16-bit or 24-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz is fine.
• Leave headroom. Keep true peaks around -1 dBTP so encoding doesn't introduce clipping and distortion.
• Know the limits. SoundCloud's help center lists a 4 GB maximum file size and a 24-hour maximum length per upload.

Mixing and mastering

Overly loud masters with crushed dynamics tend to sound harsh after encoding. A balanced master with controlled low end and clear vocals translates better across phone speakers, earbuds and club systems. If you're editing a DJ mix or podcast, clean transitions and consistent levels matter just as much. Our guide to editing audio covers the essentials, and a professional audio editing service can handle mixing, mastering and cleanup if you'd rather focus on making music.

Metadata and artwork

• Square artwork, at least the size SoundCloud recommends, readable at thumbnail size. See our tips on album cover art.
• A clear title format: "Artist - Track (Remix Name)".
• Genre and up to a few relevant tags so listeners can find you.
• A description with credits, lyrics or tracklists and links.

Growing an audience on SoundCloud

1. Release consistently. Regular uploads keep followers engaged and give the algorithm more to work with.
2. Engage with your scene. Comment thoughtfully on other artists' tracks, repost music you genuinely like and join collaborative playlists.
3. Collaborate and remix. Remixes and features expose you to another artist's followers.
4. Share links everywhere. Embed the SoundCloud player on your website, add links to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube bios, and send new tracks to your email list.
5. Use private links to send unreleased music to bloggers, labels and DJs.
6. Read your stats. Learn which tracks, cities and referrers drive plays, and focus there.

Avoid services that sell plays, followers or reposts. Fake engagement breaks SoundCloud's rules and can lead to removed tracks or a suspended account.

Earning money and distribution

SoundCloud offers several income routes for eligible creators:

• Monetization on SoundCloud. Eligible artists on paid plans can earn from plays on the platform. SoundCloud uses a "fan-powered royalties" model in which a listener's subscription and ad revenue goes to the artists that listener actually plays.
• Distribution. Paid plans include tools to send your releases to other streaming services and stores.
• Direct support. Links to merch, tickets and fan-support pages in your profile.

Read the eligibility rules carefully: you must own or control the rights to everything you monetize, including samples.

SoundCloud vs other platforms

SoundCloud works best as one part of a wider presence rather than your only home:

• Spotify and Apple Music are where most casual listeners stream finished releases. You reach them through a distributor, including SoundCloud's own distribution on paid plans.
• Bandcamp is popular for selling downloads, vinyl and merch directly to fans.
• YouTube reaches huge audiences, especially with visualizers, lyric videos or live sessions.
• SoundCloud stands out for demos, remixes, DJ mixes, quick releases and direct interaction with listeners and other producers.

Many artists post works in progress and remixes on SoundCloud to test reactions, then release the strongest tracks everywhere.

Rights, samples and AI policies

Uploading songs you don't have rights to, or unlicensed samples, can result in takedowns. DJ mixes are a gray area because they contain other artists' music, so read SoundCloud's current guidance before uploading them. On AI, after a backlash in 2025, SoundCloud revised its terms of use to state that it won't use creators' content to train generative AI models that replicate their voice, music or likeness without explicit opt-in consent. Check the current terms if this matters to you.

Frequently asked questions