At the end of each month, Rapchat Distro compiles all new royalties received from digital streaming platforms (DSPs) such as Spotify, Apple Music, and others. Occasionally, the total may be lower than anticipated. Below are some common reasons why this might occur, along with steps you can take to address them.
1. Timing of Payouts
Royalties from DSPs are typically delayed by 2-3 months. This means that if your music had a significant increase in streams last month, the royalties from those streams might not be reflected in your current payout.
2. Artificial Streaming
DSPs have algorithms to detect and filter out "artificial streams"—those generated by bots, pay-for-stream services, or repetitive self-streaming. Such streams are often excluded from royalty calculations. Learn more about avoiding artificial streaming here.
3. Royalty Calculations Differences
Each DSP has its own method for calculating royalties. Factors such as the listener's country, subscription type (free vs. premium), and the total number of streams across the platform can influence the payout rate. Sometimes, the streams may not meet the threshold needed for payment. Learn more about royalty calculations here.
Conclusion
Understanding the various factors that affect royalty payouts can help you manage expectations and optimize your music distribution strategy. For any specific concerns or to report issues, please contact Rapchat Distro support for further assistance.