What an Official Artist Channel is
An Official Artist Channel (OAC) is a YouTube channel owned and run by an artist that YouTube recognises as that artist's official home. In YouTube's words, it "brings together all your subscribers and content from your different YouTube channels into one place". It also comes with tools built for artists, including Analytics for Artists.
You can recognise an OAC by the music note next to the channel name.
Topic channels and Art Tracks
When a distributor delivers your release to YouTube Music, YouTube creates an Art Track for every song — an automatically generated YouTube version of the track, made from the recording and the cover art. These official tracks sit on a topic channel, usually shown as your artist name followed by "- Topic".
YouTube creates a topic channel for an artist who has a significant presence on YouTube. It is put together by YouTube, not by you, and it can include other people's uploads as well as your own. YouTube recommends that artists with a topic channel set up an Official Artist Channel.
So before an OAC, an artist often has two or three channels: the one they upload to, the topic channel with the official audio, and sometimes a Vevo channel. Fans subscribe to different ones, and the numbers are split between them.
Official Artist Channel requirements
YouTube's help page lists the requirements. You must meet all of these:
- Own and operate a single artist's or band's YouTube channel that is focused on the artist's or band's music
- Have at least one official music release on YouTube that has been delivered and distributed by a music distributor or label
- Have a channel that complies with all YouTube policies, including the Community Guidelines, Terms of Service and copyright policies
And at least one of these:
- Work with a YouTube Partner Manager
- Be part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
- Be part of a label network that works with a YouTube Partner Manager
- Have your music distributed by a music partner listed in the YouTube Services Directory for Music Partners
YouTube also recommends having at least one public video on the artist channel, in addition to an official release. The first rule means a channel for a label, a compilation or several artists does not qualify. These are YouTube's rules, YouTube decides every request, and they can change: the list above was checked against YouTube's help page on 16 October 2026.
How to request an Official Artist Channel
Artists cannot apply for an OAC directly. YouTube asks artists to contact their label or distributor, who submits the request. Artists without either can go through a music service partner.
- Release music to YouTube MusicDeliver at least one release through a distributor or label, so your official tracks and your topic channel exist.
- Get your channel readyOne channel focused on your music, with your artist name, a profile picture and banner, and at least one public video. Clear up any policy warnings first.
- Ask your distributor or labelSend them the link to your channel and the link to your topic channel, and check the artist name matches your releases exactly.
- Wait for YouTube's decisionYouTube reviews each request. If it is approved, your channels are merged and the music note appears.
If you release with TempoDigital, ask us about an Official Artist Channel. We will look at your channel against YouTube's requirements and tell you the next steps. We cannot promise approval — that is YouTube's decision.
What changes after the merge
- Subscribers are combined. YouTube merges the subscribers from your topic channel, any Vevo channel and your existing channel into the Official Artist Channel.
- One subscribe button. The subscribe button and subscriber count stop showing on your other channels and your topic channel.
- New music reaches everyone. Subscribers see your new music videos whether they subscribed to the OAC or to one of your other channels.
- The music note appears next to your channel name.
- Artist tools, including Analytics for Artists, become available.
- Some features may go. YouTube notes that you may lose features available only to channels that are not OACs.
The OAC changes how your channel looks and how fans find you. It does not change who owns your music, and your official audio still comes from your distributor.
Why an OAC is worth having
- Fans find one channel with all your music, instead of several half-empty ones
- Your subscriber count reflects your whole audience
- The music note shows viewers they are on your official channel
- Analytics for Artists shows your audience across YouTube in one place
An OAC does not earn anything by itself. The money comes from your official audio on YouTube Music, Content ID claims on other people's videos and, if your channel is in the YouTube Partner Program, ads on your own videos. See How much does YouTube pay for music? and YouTube Music distribution.
Common problems
- Music on the wrong topic channel. Artists with the same name can end up sharing one. Use exactly the same artist name on every release, and tell your distributor if your music lands on someone else's page.
- Two artist channels. If you run an old channel and a new one, decide which should become the OAC before you ask.
- A channel that is not about the music. Vlogs, gaming or uploads for other artists can stop a channel qualifying.
- Policy problems. A channel with Community Guidelines or copyright issues does not meet the requirements.