To get a YouTube Official Artist Channel you need one channel focused on a single artist or band, at least 1 official music release on YouTube delivered by a distributor or label, and a link to YouTube's partner system, such as being in the YouTube Partner Program or distributing through a listed music partner. You don't apply yourself: your label, distributor or a Music Service Partner requests it.
The little music note next to an artist's channel name marks an Official Artist Channel, or OAC. It's YouTube's way of pulling everything an artist has on the platform into one channel. Here's who qualifies and how to get it, from YouTube's help centre.
What an OAC does
YouTube says an OAC brings together all your subscribers and content from your different YouTube channels into one place, and gives you artist tools such as Analytics for Artists. When it's set up, YouTube merges subscribers from your topic channel, your Vevo channel if you have one, and your existing channel into the new one. The subscribe button and subscriber count stop showing on the old channel and the topic channel, so you may see a jump in your OAC subscriber count as the audience is combined.
The requirements
| Requirement | What YouTube asks for |
|---|---|
| One artist channel | You own and operate a single artist's or band's channel focused on that artist's music |
| An official release | At least 1 official music release on YouTube, delivered and distributed by a music distributor or label |
| A partner link (one of these) | Work with a YouTube Partner Manager; or be in the YouTube Partner Program; or be part of a label network that works with a Partner Manager; or distribute through a music partner listed in the YouTube Services Directory |
The partner link is the piece independent artists usually miss. If you upload your own music without a distributor and you're not in the Partner Program, you don't meet it yet. Using a distributor from YouTube's Services Directory is the most common way in.
How to get one, step by step
- Make sure one channel is clearly your official artist channel and focused on your music.
- Release your music through a distributor or label so it reaches YouTube as an official release.
- Ask your label or distributor to request an Official Artist Channel for you.
- No label or distributor? Find a Music Service Partner in the YouTube Services Directory and ask them to request it on your behalf.
How you can lose it
YouTube says an OAC is suspended and turns back into a standard channel if it gets a Community Guidelines strike or has content with limited features. The good news is that it comes back automatically once there are no active strikes or limited features and the channel still meets everything else.
The trade-off
There's one catch that's easy to miss. YouTube notes that if you become eligible for an OAC, you may lose access to features that are only available to non-OAC channels, and it names Ask Studio as one of them. For most artists the merged audience is worth it, but it's worth knowing before you ask.
My verdict
If you release music through a distributor, ask them for your OAC today, and check you're happy to lose Ask Studio first; it's the single biggest tidy-up an artist can make on YouTube. If you don't use one yet, that's your first step. Once you're set up, here's how to upload music to YouTube Music and how to see who subscribed to your channel.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the music note on my YouTube channel?
That note marks an Official Artist Channel. Your label, distributor or a Music Service Partner from YouTube's Services Directory requests it for you, once you meet the requirements.
How many releases do I need for a YouTube Official Artist Channel?
YouTube's help centre says at least 1 official music release on YouTube, delivered and distributed by a music distributor or label.
Will my Official Artist Channel be removed after a strike?
It's suspended and becomes a standard channel while there's an active Community Guidelines strike or content with limited features, then YouTube restores it automatically once those clear.
Do I need to be in the YouTube Partner Program for an OAC?
Not necessarily. Being in the Partner Program is one of several partner links; working with a Partner Manager, a label network, or a distributor listed in the Services Directory also counts.
What happens to an artist's subscribers with an OAC?
YouTube merges subscribers from your topic channel, Vevo channel if you have one, and existing channel into the Official Artist Channel.
