The short answer
An Official Artist Channel (OAC) brings your subscribers and content from your different YouTube channels into one channel. It requires one channel for your music with at least one official release delivered by a distributor or label, compliance with YouTube's policies, and one extra condition such as distribution through a listed music partner. Your distributor or label, such as Injaz Digital, requests it for you, not you directly.
Munshids and reciters ask: “why do I have two YouTube channels, one in my name and one with automatic tracks?” and “how do I make my channel official?” The second channel is the Topic channel YouTube creates for your distributed recordings, and the Official Artist Channel is what brings the two together.
What is an Official Artist Channel?
An Official Artist Channel is one channel that brings together all your subscribers and content from your different YouTube channels, according to YouTube Help, and gives you artist tools such as Analytics for Artists.
What are the requirements for an Official Artist Channel?
YouTube Help requires the following:
- You own and run one channel focused on your music or work.
- You have at least one official release delivered to YouTube by a music distributor or label.
- Your channel complies with YouTube's policies, including the Community Guidelines, Terms of Service and copyright policies.
- You meet at least one extra condition, such as working with a YouTube Partner Manager, being in the YouTube Partner Program, or having your music distributed by a music partner on YouTube's list.
- YouTube also recommends having at least one public video on the channel.
Who requests the Official Artist Channel?
Your distributor or label requests it on your behalf, and if you have neither, YouTube suggests a Music Service Partner from the YouTube Services Directory. That is why the road to an official channel starts with distributing your work officially.
Injaz Digital distributes nasheeds, recitations and music to 100+ platforms, including YouTube Music. If your work is distributed through us, contact us to request the Official Artist Channel through the distributor.
What happens to your subscribers and old channels?
Subscribers are merged into the new channel: those of your Topic channel, your Vevo channel if you have one, and your existing channel. The subscribe button and subscriber count disappear from the old channels, and your audience sees your new videos whichever channel they followed.
What do you gain from an official channel?
You gain one audience in one place, and the artist tools YouTube lists:
Injaz Digital gives you both: distribution of your work to 100+ platforms, and management and protection of your channel on YouTube.
- Analytics for Artists to understand your audience and how your work performs.
- Posts, live streams and comment hearts.
- A chance to be featured in the Artist on the Rise shelf on the Music Explore page.
YouTube notes you may lose some features after the switch, such as Ask Studio. Check the help page before requesting.
Why choose Injaz Digital to distribute your releases?
- Upload once and we deliver your work to 100+ platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami, YouTube Music and TikTok.
- Metadata in Arabic and English, and correct categorisation for nasheeds with and without music, and for recitations.
- Protection of the same recordings on YouTube through Content ID, and one report for platforms, countries, streams and revenue.
- Over 15 years in digital distribution in the Arab market.
FAQ
Can I request an Official Artist Channel myself?
No. Your distributor or label requests it, or a Music Service Partner from the YouTube Services Directory if you have neither.
How many releases do I need?
At least one official release delivered to YouTube by a distributor or label, according to YouTube Help.
Is an official channel suitable for munshids and reciters?
Yes. It is for anyone who distributes audio work officially on YouTube, including nasheeds and recitations, as long as the requirements are met.
Do I lose my subscribers when merging?
No. The subscribers of your Topic channel, Vevo channel and existing channel are brought together in the official channel.