SoundCloud FAQs

This article covers the most frequently asked questions we receive about SoundCloud distribution through Symphonic. For more details on any topic below, check the linked articles in our SoundCloud knowledge base.

How do I get my music on SoundCloud through Symphonic?

You'll need to opt in first. In your SymphonicMS dashboard, go to Account Badge ► Enrollments and enable SoundCloud. Once opted in, SoundCloud will appear as a selectable delivery partner when you create new releases. For a full walkthrough of how the delivery process works, see our SoundCloud Go & Allowlisting Overview article.

Can I still upload music to my own SoundCloud profile?

Yes, but once Symphonic has delivered your music, SoundCloud's content identification system may block your uploads because it recognizes the audio as already being in their system. To prevent this, you need to allowlist your SoundCloud profile through Symphonic. Go to Rights ► SoundCloud Allowlist in your SymphonicMS dashboard to get set up. For more detail, see our SoundCloud Allowlisting article.

What's the difference between tracks I upload and tracks Symphonic delivers?

Tracks you upload directly are fully under your control — you can edit, delete, and manage them at any time. Tracks delivered by Symphonic are classified as rightsholder-managed content, meaning only Symphonic can make changes or request removals. The tradeoff is that distributed tracks are automatically included in SoundCloud Go's paid streaming catalog, protected by content ID, and monetized through Symphonic's royalty pipeline. For a full comparison and the benefits of distributing through Symphonic, see our SoundCloud Go & Allowlisting Overview article.

Why can't I edit or delete my distributed tracks on SoundCloud?

Supply chain tracks are controlled through the distributor's delivery feed, not your SoundCloud account. If you need metadata updated, audio replaced, or a track removed, submit a request to Symphonic's support team and we'll process it on our end. For specifics on what types of changes are possible and how each is handled, see our SoundCloud Go & Allowlisting Overview article.

Why are tracks randomly showing up on my SoundCloud profile?

When Symphonic delivers your music, SoundCloud matches the content to an existing artist profile based on the metadata in your release. If it matches to your profile, the tracks will appear alongside anything you've uploaded directly. These are called supply chain or ingested tracks and will display a rightsholder tag. We recommend keeping them — they're automatically included in SoundCloud Go and generate monetizable streams. If you don't recognize the tracks or believe they were matched in error, reach out to our support team with the track URLs.

Why was my own music blocked for copyright on SoundCloud?

SoundCloud uses an automated fingerprinting system (Audible Magic) that scans every upload against a database of registered tracks. When Symphonic delivers your music, the audio is registered for copyright protection — which is great for stopping unauthorized uploads, but can also block your own if your profile isn't authorized. The fix is allowlisting. For step-by-step instructions and what to do if you've already been blocked, see our SoundCloud Allowlisting and SoundCloud Content ID & Copyright Flags articles.

What is allowlisting, and do I need it?

Allowlisting tells SoundCloud that your personal account is authorized to upload the same content Symphonic delivers on your behalf. Even if you haven't been blocked yet, we strongly recommend allowlisting proactively — SoundCloud's content ID system scans continuously and could flag your uploads at any time. Go to Rights ► SoundCloud Allowlist in your SymphonicMS dashboard. For the full details, see our SoundCloud Allowlisting article.

I requested a takedown — why is the release still showing in my account?

SoundCloud handles takedowns differently from other platforms. When a takedown is processed, the track is hidden from the public but remains visible in your private dashboard. Even though you can still see it, no one else can access or play it. This is by design so you can reference the track's history or dispute the takedown if needed. For a full explanation of how takedowns work — including the difference between a standard takedown and permanent removal — see our Understanding SoundCloud Release Takedowns article.

What happens to my earnings after a takedown?

Any royalties generated before the takedown was processed will still be paid out on your regular Symphonic payment cycle. Takedowns do not retroactively remove earnings.

Why do I have multiple SoundCloud profiles?

When SoundCloud can't match your delivered content to an existing profile — due to spelling variations, special characters, or because no profile existed yet — it creates an auto-generated profile for your distributed music. This is a common occurrence across all distributors. Symphonic can request a profile merge, but there are important tradeoffs to understand before proceeding. For full details on the merge process and what to expect, see our SoundCloud Artist Profiles (Common Issues & Overview) article.

Will I lose my play counts if I merge SoundCloud profiles?

Yes. When SoundCloud merges an auto-generated profile into your personal one, all play counts, likes, comments, reposts, and follower counts from the auto-generated profile are permanently lost. This is a SoundCloud platform limitation that no distributor can override. Despite this, merging is usually beneficial in the long run — see our SoundCloud Artist Profiles (Common Issues & Overview) article for a full breakdown of the tradeoffs.

Can I combine the play counts of two tracks or transfer stats between accounts?

No. SoundCloud does not support combining statistics between tracks or transferring stats between accounts, even if the tracks contain the same audio. If you have both a self-uploaded and a distributed version of the same song, each maintains its own independent play count. Taking down a track and re-uploading or re-distributing it means the new version starts from zero.

Someone uploaded my music without my permission — what do I do?

If the unauthorized upload is on SoundCloud, Symphonic's content ID registration may have already blocked or flagged it. If not, you can submit a DMCA takedown request directly to SoundCloud through their reporting form. If the unauthorized upload is on a different platform, you'll need to contact that platform's support team directly — Symphonic can only manage content on platforms where we have an active delivery. For more detail, see our SoundCloud Content ID & Copyright Flags article.

How can I verify my SoundCloud profile?

Verification is handled directly by SoundCloud and is not something Symphonic can request on your behalf. You can request verification through your SoundCloud profile settings. Your account needs to meet the following requirements:

• It represents a well-known and/or highly searched-for artist, collective, DJ, label, curator, or podcaster.
• It must be a unique profile. SoundCloud doesn't verify fan accounts or impersonators.
• It doesn't contain any misleading information and adheres to SoundCloud's terms of use.
• It must have a bio, profile photo, and at least one track uploaded.

Please note that SoundCloud reserves the right to verify accounts at their discretion.