How to Claim Your Official Artist Channel on YouTube
An Official Artist Channel (OAC) on YouTube is a prestigious designation granted by YouTube to recognize and authenticate music artists with an established presence on the platform. This designation not only merges an artist’s official music content but also enhances their discoverability and reinforces their brand identity with the official “♪” music note icon.
With an OAC, all of your content—whether hosted on a personal channel, label channel, or through YouTube Music—is unified under one authoritative, verified channel. Your catalog is automatically segmented into categories such as Music Videos, Albums, and Singles, offering fans a streamlined, professional viewing experience.
Advantages of Having an Official Artist Channel
- Verification: The verified music note badge (♪) signals authenticity and official status.
- Centralized Presence: Consolidates music videos, official audio releases, and fan engagement into a single hub.
- Professional Layout: Content is automatically organized into dedicated sections.
- Enhanced Discovery: Increases visibility across YouTube’s search and recommendation algorithms.
- Music-Focused Analytics: Access YouTube’s music-specific metrics and insights.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for an Official Artist Channel via Extrinsic Music Group, the following conditions must be met:
1. Channel Ownership
- The channel must be directly owned and operated by the artist or band.
- It must not serve as a label, media outlet, or multi-artist collective.
2. Channel Name Consistency
- The channel name must precisely match the artist’s name, including spelling, capitalization, diacritics, and symbols.
3. Official Music Distribution
- The artist must have at least three officially released tracks on YouTube, delivered by Extrinsic Music Group.
- These releases must be public and categorized as official music content.
4. Platform Compliance
- The channel must have no active copyright strikes, community guideline violations, or other policy issues.
Application Procedure
Once eligibility is confirmed, artists can proceed with the application:
- Visit OAC.
- Complete the application with the following information:
- YouTube Channel URL
- Official Artist Name
- Three Links to Official Releases distributed via Extrinsic Music Group
- Primary Contact Email
- Distributor: Extrinsic Music Group
Ensure accuracy and completeness in all fields, as incomplete applications will not be processed.
Review & Approval Timeline
- Applications are first reviewed by Extrinsic Music Group's content operations team.
- Qualified requests are forwarded to YouTube’s internal artist relations team for final evaluation.
- Processing and approval may take up to 30 days.
Note: YouTube has the final authority in granting OAC status. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee approval.
Need Help?
For additional guidance or assistance, please contact your representative at Extrinsic Music Group or reach out to our artist support team.