Common Complaints About DistroKid

1. Poor Customer Service:

   • Many users report that DistroKid’s customer support is unresponsive or difficult to access. Common issues include:

     • Support tickets being closed without resolution or explanation.

     • Long wait times for responses, sometimes weeks or months, with some users receiving only automated or generic replies.

     • Lack of direct human interaction, as initial support is handled by a chatbot named Dave, which often fails to address complex issues.

   • Users have expressed frustration over the absence of a direct phone number for customer service, relying instead on email (support@distrokid.com) or a live chat that often loops back to the chatbot.

   • Some artists have resorted to contacting DistroKid via social media platforms like X or Reddit to get attention, indicating dissatisfaction with formal support channels.

2. Payment and Royalty Issues:

   • A significant number of complaints involve delays or non-payment of royalties:

     • Users report earnings being withheld without explanation, even after substantial streaming numbers (e.g., millions of YouTube views or TikTok uses).

     • Some artists claim their earnings disappeared from their accounts, with no clear communication from DistroKid.

     • Delays in royalty payments, sometimes by 2–3 months, have been noted, though some users acknowledge this is standard due to store reporting cycles.

   • There are allegations of DistroKid confiscating earnings after account issues or terminations, with one user claiming $7,000 was lost.

   • Confusion over fees, such as bank transfer or PayPal fees, and disputes over who charges them (DistroKid or third-party payment processors like Tipalti), have also surfaced.

3. Account Suspensions and Music Takedowns:

   • Users frequently report sudden account suspensions or music takedowns without warning or clear justification:

     • One user described their account with 20 artists being terminated after a single song complaint, losing access to stats, content, and earnings with no refund for their $269 plan.

     • Another artist had 3,500 songs removed in 2023, claiming DistroKid failed to explain the takedown or respond to complaints.

     • Takedowns are sometimes linked to third-party copyright claims, and users argue DistroKid’s policies make it difficult to defend against false claims, as highlighted in a potential class-action lawsuit.

   • Some users suspect they were “shadow banned” or blocked from uploading new music, with no recourse to resolve the issue.

4. Hidden Fees and Upselling:

   • While DistroKid is praised for its low base price ($19.99/year for unlimited uploads), users complain about additional costs:

     • Optional add-ons (e.g., YouTube Content ID, synced lyrics, or store maximizer) are heavily promoted during the upload process, which some find aggressive or misleading.

     • The “Musician Plus” plan is required for features like setting release dates, which some see as a hidden cost.

     • Licensing fees or charges appearing after music is removed from stores have frustrated users, with accusations that DistroKid lacks transparency about these fees.

   • Users also dislike that music is taken down if the yearly subscription lapses, unlike competitors like CD Baby, which offers permanent uploads for a one-time fee.

5. Upload and Technical Issues:

   • Delays in music uploads or distribution, sometimes lasting weeks, have been reported, with albums stuck in “processing” or rejected without clear reasons.

   • Synced lyrics failing to appear on platforms or disappearing after being uploaded is a recurring issue, impacting artists’ ability to engage fans.

   • Songs occasionally appear on incorrect artist profiles or fail to upload to major stores, causing confusion and lost opportunities.

6. Policy and Transparency Concerns:

   • Some users criticize DistroKid’s handling of copyright disputes, alleging the platform sides with claimants without allowing artists to counter false claims. This was a key issue in a 2023 lawsuit claiming DistroKid’s takedown policies harm indie artists.

   • Changes to policies, like restricting playlist voting to DistroKid members only, have been seen as setbacks for artist promotion.

   • There’s a sentiment that DistroKid prioritizes profit over artist support, with one X user calling it a “middleman” capitalizing on streaming platform inefficiencies.

Positive Feedback (For Balance):

• Despite the complaints, some users praise DistroKid for its affordability, ease of use, and fast distribution to platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

• Artists appreciate the ability to upload unlimited songs for a low annual fee and keep 100% of royalties (minus optional add-on fees).

• Positive experiences include quick release approvals (often within a day) and seamless collaboration tools for sharing royalties with bandmates.

Sentiment on X:

• Recent posts on X reflect ongoing frustration:

  • Users accuse DistroKid of ignoring support requests, mishandling copyright disputes, and delaying payments.

  • Some call DistroKid “greedy” or a “blind thief” for issues like prolonged claim disputes or subscription price hikes after poor service periods.

  • One user reported their account being deleted with a permanent ban on uploading, highlighting abrupt terminations.

Recommendations from Users:

• Many dissatisfied users suggest switching to alternatives like TuneCore, CD Baby, Amuse, or SoundOn, citing better customer service or more transparent policies.

• To avoid issues, users advise carefully reviewing DistroKid’s terms, avoiding optional add-ons, and documenting all communications for disputes.

Conclusion:

While DistroKid offers a cost-effective and user-friendly platform for music distribution, complaints about unresponsive customer service, royalty payment issues, abrupt account suspensions, and hidden fees are prevalent. These issues have led to significant distrust among some artists, with some exploring legal action or switching distributors. Potential users should weigh these concerns against DistroKid’s affordability and ensure they understand its policies before signing up.

thumpmusic.com