SoundCloud is testing a new feature that will allow artists to sell music directly to fans through their SoundCloud profiles, with the platform taking zero commission on sales.
The feature was announced on August 26 and is currently being rolled out in beta to a select group of 200 US-based Artist Pro creators. SoundCloud says it plans to make the feature available to more artists at a later date.
The initiative is part of SoundCloud’s existing Fan Support tools, which include fan-powered royalties, vinyl and ticketing services. Through the new feature, participating artists will be able to sell music directly through their profiles and retain 100% of each sale, excluding applicable fees and taxes.
Expanding SoundCloud’s Artist Tools
The new sales feature gives artists another way to monetize an audience they have already built on the platform, without directing fans to an external service to purchase their music.
“Artists should be able to build their audience in one place, on one platform,” said SoundCloud CEO Eliah Seton in the announcement. “SoundCloud has always been where artists find their first fans and build real communities. We’re continuing to bring more of what they need to grow their careers into that same experience, while letting fans directly support the music they love.”
The move follows similar efforts elsewhere in the independent music sector, most notably Bandcamp, which has built a significant part of its platform around direct artist-to-fan sales. Bandcamp Fridays, launched in 2020, have also encouraged listeners to purchase music directly from artists and labels.
SoundCloud also recently acquired Nina Protocol, an independent music platform focused on artist-to-fan relationships and alternative approaches to music distribution and sales.
For SoundCloud, the direct-sales feature adds another element to its growing range of tools for artists, alongside streaming monetization, fan-powered royalties, physical products and ticketing.
The current beta is limited to the 200 selected US-based Artist Pro creators. Further details regarding the broader rollout, including availability in other markets and eligibility requirements, are expected as SoundCloud continues testing the feature.