How to Get the YouTube Musician Button (Official Artist Channel Badge)

Introduction

The YouTube Musician Button, officially called the Official Artist Channel (OAC) badge, is a designation for musicians who have successfully claimed their official YouTube channel. This badge provides credibility, improves discoverability, and unlocks exclusive features tailored for artists.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of getting the YouTube Musician Button, the requirements, and the benefits it offers.

What Is the YouTube Musician Button?

The YouTube Musician Button, represented as a musical note badge, indicates that a channel is officially recognized as an artist’s channel. It merges all the artist’s content into one hub, including:

• Music videos.

• Song topics from YouTube Music.

• Albums and playlists.

Benefits of Having an Official Artist Channel

1. Increased Credibility:

   • The badge tells viewers that your channel is verified and authentic.

2. Enhanced Discoverability:

   • Your music is more likely to appear in search results and YouTube Music.

3. Unified Content Hub:

   • Combine content from multiple channels into a single, organized artist page.

4. Access to YouTube Analytics for Artists:

   • Get insights into how your music performs on YouTube.

5. Promotional Tools:

   • Add your music to YouTube Music playlists and use official promotional features.

Eligibility Requirements for the YouTube Musician Button

To qualify for the YouTube Musician Button, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Official YouTube Channel

   • Own and operate a YouTube channel that represents your artist or band.

2. Music Distribution

   • Distribute your music through a recognized music distributor or partner with YouTube Music (e.g., TuneCore, DistroKid, or CD Baby).

3. Content Consistency

   • Your channel should primarily feature music-related content, such as music videos, lyric videos, and live performances.

4. Verification

   • Your channel must be verified, which includes having the grey checkmark on YouTube.

5. Compliance with Guidelines

   • Adhere to YouTube’s community and copyright guidelines.

How to Get the YouTube Musician Button

1. Work with a Music Distributor

• Use a music distributor partnered with YouTube, such as TuneCore, CD Baby, or DistroKid, to upload your music.

• These distributors help create “Topic Channels” on YouTube, which are essential for eligibility.

2. Merge Your Channels

• If you have separate YouTube channels (e.g., personal and topic channels), contact YouTube Support or your music distributor to merge them into an Official Artist Channel.

3. Verify Your YouTube Channel

• Go to YouTube Account Verification.

• Follow the steps to verify your phone number and obtain the grey checkmark.

4. Request the Official Artist Channel

• If your distributor doesn’t initiate the process, you can contact YouTube Support or your distributor to request an Official Artist Channel.

5. Await Approval

• YouTube will review your request and confirm if you meet the criteria.

• Once approved, your channel will display the Musician Button.

Tips for Aspiring YouTube Artists

1. Optimize Your Channel:

   • Use a professional profile picture, banner, and description that aligns with your music brand.

2. Regularly Upload Content:

   • Consistently post music-related content to show that you’re an active artist.

3. Engage with Your Audience:

   • Reply to comments, host live streams, and interact with your fans to build a strong community.

4. Promote Your Music:

   • Share your videos on social media and collaborate with other artists to increase visibility.

FAQs About the YouTube Musician Button

Q: Is the YouTube Musician Button the same as channel verification?
A: No, channel verification (grey checkmark) is separate from the Musician Button, which is specific to Official Artist Channels.

Q: Do I need to pay for the YouTube Musician Button?
A: No, it’s a free feature for eligible artists who meet YouTube’s requirements.

Q: How long does it take to get approved?
A: Approval time varies, but it typically takes a few weeks after you meet the eligibility criteria.

Q: Can independent artists get the Musician Button?
A: Yes, independent artists can qualify by working with a recognized music distributor and meeting the requirements.

Q: What happens to my existing subscribers?
A: Your subscribers remain unaffected. They’ll still be subscribed to your channel after it becomes an Official Artist Channel.

Conclusion

The YouTube Musician Button is a valuable tool for musicians looking to grow their presence on YouTube. By meeting the eligibility requirements and following the steps outlined, you can claim your Official Artist Channel and unlock powerful features to boost your music career.