Technical and content requirements for distribution to YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and 150+ platforms worldwide
Before submitting your music to Pubdish, please review these requirements carefully. All releases must meet platform-specific standards to ensure successful distribution and avoid takedowns or rejections.
Non-compliance may result in release rejection or removal from platforms
All audio files must meet these technical standards for optimal quality across all platforms
Required audio specifications
WAV or FLAC (Lossless formats)
No MP3, AAC, or lossy formats
44.1 kHz minimum
Recommended: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz
16-bit or 24-bit
24-bit recommended for best quality
Minimum 1411 kbps
Loudness and dynamics requirements
-1.0 dB True Peak maximum
Leave headroom to prevent clipping and distortion
-14 LUFS integrated
Industry standard for streaming platforms
8-14 dB DR minimum
Avoid over-compression and brick-walling
No Clipping or Distortion
Audio must be free from digital clipping, distortion, or artifacts
Content must comply with YouTube's policies to avoid takedowns and channel strikes
YouTube enforces a strict strike system for policy violations. Three strikes within 90 days results in permanent channel termination.
Strike 1
Warning + content removal
Strike 2
2-week upload suspension
Strike 3
Permanent termination
Accurate Track Title
Must match audio content exactly
Correct Artist Name
Legal name or verified stage name
Appropriate Artwork
No misleading or inappropriate images
Language Tag
Specify primary language of lyrics
Misleading titles or tags
Don't use unrelated artist names to get views
Excessive keywords
No keyword stuffing in descriptions
Clickbait thumbnails
Artwork must accurately represent content
Impersonation
Don't pretend to be another artist or label
Amazon Music has strict content standards to ensure quality and compliance across their platform
All content must meet professional audio quality standards and be free from technical issues
You must own or have proper licenses for all content, including samples and covers
Content must be appropriate for diverse audiences and comply with community standards
Copyright Infringement
Unauthorized use of copyrighted material
Explicit Content Without Label
Must be properly marked as explicit
Hate Speech
Content promoting hate or discrimination
Illegal Activities
Promotion of illegal acts or substances
Violence Glorification
Content glorifying violence or harm
Poor Audio Quality
Distorted, clipped, or low-quality audio
Incorrect Metadata
Misleading or inaccurate information
Low-Quality Artwork
Pixelated or unprofessional cover art
Duplicate Content
Same track submitted multiple times
Public Domain Abuse
Claiming rights to public domain works
Track Title
Exact title as it appears on the release
Format: No extra info like (Official Audio) or [Free Download]
Primary Artist
Legal name or official stage name
Note: Must match artist profile on Amazon Music
Album/Single Title
Release name without promotional text
Release Date
Original release date (YYYY-MM-DD format)
Genre & Subgenre
Accurate categorization for discoverability
Parental Advisory
Mark as explicit if contains profanity or mature themes
Dimensions
Minimum: 3000 x 3000 pixels
Square format (1:1 aspect ratio) required
File Format
JPEG or PNG (PNG for transparency)
Color Space
RGB color mode (not CMYK)
File Size
Maximum 10 MB
Prohibited Artwork Elements
Recommended Practices
Pubdish partners with Audicient for content protection and distribution. All content must meet these editorial standards.
All content must be original work or properly licensed. We verify authenticity through Audicient's systems.
Professional production quality required. No amateur recordings, phone recordings, or poor audio quality.
Content must comply with all major platform policies including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.
✓ Own All Rights
You must own or have licenses for all elements: music, vocals, lyrics, samples, and artwork
✓ Original Production
Music must be professionally produced with original instrumentation or properly licensed beats
✓ Clear Documentation
Be able to provide proof of rights and licenses upon request
✓ Proper Attribution
Credit all collaborators, producers, and featured artists accurately
✗ AI-Generated Content
No AI-generated music, vocals, lyrics, or artwork of any kind
✗ Unauthorized Samples
All samples must be cleared or from royalty-free sources
✗ Cover Songs Without License
Covers require mechanical licenses and cannot use original recordings
✗ Remixes Without Permission
Official remixes require written permission from original rights holders
Our support team is here to help you understand and meet all platform requirements. Get expert guidance before submitting your music.