I built TruClarify partly because of how many AI music creators I saw making avoidable mistakes on DistroKid. Not malicious mistakes — just uninformed ones. They'd upload a Suno track, skip a checkbox they didn't understand, and find their music pulled weeks later when they'd already built momentum around it.
DistroKid is the right choice for most Suno creators. It has the clearest AI disclosure workflow of any major distributor, unlimited uploads for $22.99/year, and fast Spotify delivery. But you need to use it correctly. Here's everything you need to know.
DistroKid's Official Position on AI Music
DistroKid allows AI-generated music — including music made entirely with Suno — on its platform. This is not universally true of all distributors. CD Baby conducts manual review of AI content and has stricter policies. DistroKid's approach is disclosure-based: tell them it's AI, tick the right boxes, and you're compliant.
What DistroKid does NOT allow:
- AI-generated music that imitates a specific named human artist's voice or style without permission
- Undisclosed AI content — uploading AI music without ticking the disclosure checkbox
- Content created on a free Suno plan — which carries a non-commercial licence only
- Cover songs without proper mechanical licensing, regardless of AI involvement
Skipping the AI disclosure checkbox is the single most common mistake Suno creators make on DistroKid. It is not a grey area. DistroKid actively checks for undisclosed AI content. The consequences are immediate — track removal across all platforms, account suspension, and frozen royalties.
Before You Upload — What You Need Ready
- A paid Suno plan — the free plan is non-commercial only. Releasing on a free plan violates both Suno's and DistroKid's terms
- Your artist name checked — conflicts with other artists cause Spotify algorithm conflation. Check yours free at truclarify.com/creators
- A Creative Decision Log — document your human creative input before you upload. Takes 2 minutes at truclarify.com/log. This is your legal protection
- Cover art — 3000x3000px minimum, JPG or PNG, RGB colour mode
- Your audio file — WAV preferred. Master it before uploading
The Exact Upload Process — Every Field That Matters
If you don't have a DistroKid account yet, sign up here — TruClarify readers get 7% off their first year. Choose Musician Plus ($44.99/yr) for the best value. Click "Distribute your music" to start.
Artist name: Exactly as you want it on Spotify — capitalisation matters and Spotify is case-sensitive. Track title: Use Title Case. Do not add "Official", "HD", or any suffixes — Spotify rejects these. Get this right because it's very hard to change after release.
Genre: Pick the most accurate option — this directly affects Spotify's algorithmic playlist placement. Release date: Always choose a Friday at least 7 days out. Fridays are global music release day and the 7-day window allows you to pitch to Spotify editorial playlists before your track goes live.
When you reach the content questions, you will see: "Does this song contain AI-generated elements?" — tick YES. You will then see: "Are the lyrics AI-generated?" — tick YES if Suno wrote them, NO if you wrote original lyrics yourself. Read every disclosure question. Do not skip any of them.
Do not tick "I recorded this song myself" if the audio was generated by Suno. This is a false declaration. DistroKid actively monitors for AI-generated audio. False declarations result in permanent account termination — not just a warning, not just a suspension. Permanent.
Sound recording copyright (℗): ℗ 2026 [Your Artist Name] — for example, ℗ 2026 Nova Drift. Composition copyright (©): © 2026 [Your Artist Name]. If you wrote original lyrics, you own the composition copyright in those lyrics. If Suno generated the lyrics, the composition copyright position is less clear — be accurate in your declaration.
WAV files preferred over MP3. Cover art must be exactly 3000x3000px, JPG or PNG, RGB colour mode (not CMYK). Review every single field before clicking submit. Once submitted, most fields require a new upload to change — including the artist name.
After You Submit — What Happens Next
DistroKid typically delivers to Spotify within 24–48 hours. Apple Music can take 3–7 days. Other platforms vary. You'll receive an email confirmation once your release goes live.
Claim your Spotify for Artists profile
Once your track is live, go to artists.spotify.com and claim your artist profile. This gives you the verified checkmark, access to editorial playlist pitching, streaming analytics, and the ability to pin a track to your profile. Do this immediately after your first release goes live.
Register with SoundExchange
DistroKid pays your streaming royalties — but SoundExchange collects a separate set of digital performance royalties that DistroKid doesn't touch. Register for free at soundexchange.com before your first track drops. Most independent artists have $200–800 in uncollected royalties sitting there.
Register with the MLC
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (themlc.com) collects mechanical royalties from on-demand streaming — another royalty stream separate from both your distributor and SoundExchange. Free to register, takes 20 minutes.
Before you upload — check your artist name
A name conflict on Spotify after you've released damages both artists. The free TruClarify check takes 30 seconds and scans 30+ platforms before you commit.
DistroKid vs Other Distributors for AI Music
Here's how the major distributors compare for Suno creators specifically:
- DistroKid ($22.99/yr unlimited) — Best for AI music. Clearest disclosure workflow, fastest delivery, most AI-creator friendly. My recommendation for most Suno creators.
- TuneCore ($14.99/single) — AI disclosure required. Good for occasional releases but expensive at volume. Per-release pricing gets costly fast.
- CD Baby ($9.95/single, one-time) — Strict manual review for AI content. Slower delivery. Good for catalogue building but requires more patience.
- Amuse (free tier) — Accepts AI music but the free tier has limited features. Upgrade required for most useful tools.
For any creator releasing more than two tracks per year, DistroKid's unlimited annual plan is the clear winner on economics alone — before you factor in the AI-friendly disclosure workflow.
Common Questions
Can I use DistroKid if I have a free Suno plan?
No. Suno's free plan grants a non-commercial licence only. Distributing commercially through DistroKid on a free Suno plan violates both Suno's terms of service and your DistroKid agreement. Upgrade to a paid Suno plan before you release anything.
What if I added my own vocals or instruments to a Suno track?
You still need to disclose AI-generated elements — because the underlying audio contains AI-generated content. However, your original vocals and instrumental recordings create separately copyrightable elements. Document these additions in your Creative Decision Log — they strengthen your authorship position significantly.
Can DistroKid detect AI music?
Yes. DistroKid uses audio analysis tools that can identify characteristics common to AI-generated audio. They also receive reports from streaming platforms and other distributors. Undisclosed AI content is being caught — the question is when, not whether.
What happens if my track gets removed for undisclosed AI?
DistroKid will notify you by email. Your track is removed from all platforms simultaneously. Depending on the severity and whether it's a first offence, your account may be suspended. Royalties earned during the period may be held or forfeited. You cannot simply re-upload the track — you need to go through a review process.
Do I need a mechanical licence for a Suno cover?
Yes. If you're covering an existing song — even with AI-generated production — the underlying composition is still protected. DistroKid has a built-in cover song licensing tool that handles mechanical licences for US releases. For international releases, use Easy Song Licensing or a similar service. This applies regardless of whether the cover is AI-generated.