{"id":108604,"date":"2026-08-27T09:25:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T08:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=108604"},"modified":"2026-08-27T09:25:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T08:25:42","slug":"soundcloud-direct-music-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/soundcloud-direct-music-sales\/","title":{"rendered":"SoundCloud tests direct music sales for artists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SoundCloud is testing a new feature that lets selected artists sell music downloads directly from their profiles, with the platform taking zero commission on sales.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SoundCloud<\/a> is giving artists another way to make money from their music with the beta launch of direct music purchases<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new feature lets selected artists sell downloadable tracks directly from their SoundCloud profiles. Fans can discover a song, listen to it and purchase a copy without leaving the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artists can set their own prices and choose the format they provide, including MP3 and WAV. SoundCloud says it won\u2019t take a commission from sales, meaning artists keep the proceeds from each purchase after applicable fees and taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, the beta is limited to around 200 US-based Artist Pro creators with Fan Support enabled. SoundCloud plans to gradually expand access before making the feature available to all eligible creators later this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is SoundCloud testing music downloads?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Downloads might seem like an unlikely addition to a streaming platform in 2026, but SoundCloud says there is already demand from artists and fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to SoundCloud, more than 250,000 artists have linked over 2.4 million tracks to external music platforms, while the platform sends more than half a million users to external services each year to purchase music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SoundCloud\u2019s own research also found that 28% of surveyed artists either already sell downloadable music or want to, split evenly between those two groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea is to remove the extra step between discovering music on SoundCloud and buying it. Instead of sending a fan to another website to purchase a track, the transaction can happen where they are already listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That could be particularly useful for artists with a smaller but highly engaged fanbase. SoundCloud says its research suggests that superfans can spend up to five times more on music and artists than casual listeners, highlighting the potential value of giving dedicated fans more ways to support the artists they love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Downloads are niche, but fans still buy music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

SoundCloud\u2019s move doesn\u2019t mean digital downloads are suddenly making a comeback. Streaming remains by far the dominant way people consume recorded music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the IFPI’s Global Music Report 2026<\/a>, streaming accounted for 69.6% of global recorded music revenue in 2025, while downloads and other digital formats accounted for just 2.5%. Downloads and other digital revenue also fell by 5% during the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But downloads can still have a place in a direct-to-fan strategy for artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platforms such as Bandcamp have built a successful direct-to-fan model<\/a> around fans buying music, physical releases and merchandise, even when they could stream the same tracks elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bandcamp Fridays generate $19M for artists in 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>