Choosing A Music Distributor: Radioly

Every distributor's homepage promises the same things: global reach, keep your rights, get paid. The real differences show up later, usually after you've already uploaded a catalog. Here's what to check first.

1
What does it actually cost?Watch for extra charges on things like Content ID monetization, Shazam recognition, or custom release dates that aren't included in the headline price. A low advertised fee can hide a much higher real cost.
2
Who owns your masters?You should keep full ownership of your recordings, and be able to take your ISRC codes and streaming history with you if you ever leave. Some services quietly claim broader rights or make switching difficult.
3
Does it cover more than streaming?Most distributors only collect streaming and download revenue. Mechanical, performance, neighboring rights, and sync royalties often need separate registration elsewhere, ask what's actually included.
4
How fast is support, really?Look for evidence of real response times, not just a contact form. This matters most in the days right around your release date, when a metadata error needs a fast fix.
5
Is playlist pitching more than a button?Effective pitching takes timing, context, and a person reviewing the submission. A form that goes nowhere isn't a marketing feature.

A couple of mistakes worth avoiding

Assuming a distributor collects every type of royalty automatically, most only handle streaming and download revenue.
Signing up without checking what happens to your catalog if you cancel or switch later.
Judging a distributor purely on its cheapest advertised price without checking what's excluded.

Where Radioly stands: No upfront cost to start, free ISRC and UPC on every release, and you keep full ownership, always.

Five things worth checking before you commit.

A couple of mistakes worth avoiding

Press play, or hit release.