What Is SoundExchange? Explained

Who Gets Paid:

When your recorded song is played on qualifying platforms, SoundExchange splits the royalty like this:

Role

Share of Royalty

 Featured Artist

45%

 Master Rights Owner

50%

 Background Musicians

5% (via unions)


  • Featured Artist: The main performer(s) on the track
  • Rights Owner: The person or entity that owns the master recording (label or indie artist)
  • Background Artists: Paid via AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Fund


 What Platforms Count:

SoundExchange pays for plays on:

  • Non-interactive streaming (you don’t control the playlist)
    • Pandora (radio-style)
    • SiriusXM (satellite radio)
    • iHeartRadio (radio simulcasts)
    • Digital jukeboxes and webcasts

 It does not pay for Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube—that's considered interactive streaming and paid via your distributor.


 How to Start Getting Paid:

  • Step 1: Go to soundexchange.com
  • Step 2: Register as:
    • A Featured Artist (if you perform)
    • A Rights Owner (if you own your recordings)
  • Step 3: Provide banking and song info (ISRCs help)


 Important Notes:

  • SoundExchange pays for recordings, not songwriting.
    • Songwriters must register separately with:
      • A PRO (ASCAP, BMI, etc.)
      • The MLC (for mechanicals)
  • You will miss royalties if you don’t register.
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