How to Use YouTube to Grow Your Music Career in 2025 (And Earn Your Share of Its $8B Payout)
YouTube has just announced a record-breaking milestone: the platform paid over $8 billion to the music industry in the past year alone.
For independent artists, this number is more than impressive — it’s an opportunity.
In 2025, YouTube remains one of the most powerful platforms for music discovery, fan engagement, and long-term monetization. With billions of users and a unique mix of short-form and long-form content, it offers something no other platform does.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to fully take advantage of YouTube as an artist — and how SoundBirth helps you unlock every tool you need to grow.
1. Why YouTube Is Essential for Artists Today
YouTube is more than just a video platform — it’s one of the biggest music streaming destinations in the world. Fans use it to listen, discover, comment, and share. With features like YouTube Music, Shorts, and long-form videos, artists can reach new audiences globally.
The platform’s “twin engine” of ads and paid subscriptions is stronger than ever, which directly contributes to the massive $8B payout to the music industry.
If you want visibility, monetization, and reach, YouTube should be part of your strategy.
2. Distribute Your Music to YouTube With SoundBirth
With SoundBirth Premium, you can distribute your music directly to YouTube, just like you would on Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Deezer and more.
With one upload, your release goes to 99% of global listening platforms.
This means your music is available everywhere your fans are — including on YouTube Music, where millions discover new tracks every day.
3. What YouTube Content ID Is (And Why You Need It)
YouTube Content ID is a system that scans videos across the entire platform to detect if your music is being used.
If someone uploads a video with your song — even without credit — Content ID identifies it and allows you to:
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Monetize the video
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Earn revenue from ads
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Protect your rights automatically
With SoundBirth Premium, your tracks are registered in Content ID so you never miss a monetizable use of your music.
4. Unlock Your YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC)
A YouTube Official Artist Channel consolidates all your content into one verified hub:
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your official uploads
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your topic channel content
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your music videos
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your Shorts
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your albums and singles
This gives you a professional artist identity on YouTube with improved visibility, search ranking, and credibility.
SoundBirth helps you request and obtain your Official Artist Channel easily.
5. Get Featured in SoundBirth’s “Fresh New Videos” Playlist
If you upload and share your music videos with SoundBirth, you may be featured in our curated playlist Fresh New Videos.
This playlist highlights new releases from our community, giving you:
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additional visibility
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new listeners
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more potential subscribers
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extra opportunities for YouTube growth
6. Start With SoundBirth Premium for Only $1.99/month
All these features — YouTube distribution, Content ID, Official Artist Channel request, and playlist visibility — are available with SoundBirth Premium, starting at only $1.99/month.
That makes SoundBirth one of the most accessible and affordable music distribution platforms in the world, especially for independent artists.
If you want to grow your presence on YouTube and earn your share of the platform’s massive payouts, now is the perfect time to get started.
Conclusion
YouTube remains a crucial tool for artists in 2025. With billions paid to the music industry and unmatched discoverability, the platform offers growth, revenue, and long-term opportunities.
With SoundBirth Premium, you get everything you need to:
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distribute your music to YouTube
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protect your tracks with Content ID
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unlock your Official Artist Channel
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and promote your videos to new listeners
It’s time to take your YouTube presence to the next level.
👉 Start growing with SoundBirth today. 🎶🚀
Yours,
Martin, COO of SoundBirth