How Much Does Apple Music Pay Per Stream?

The problem of monetization is the first problem that every artist faces when entering Apple Music or any other music streaming platform. When you know how much you earn per stream, it's easier to understand how much you can get per month, per year, or per specific amount of streams. Moreover, individuals can calculate their average payout and decide what else they can do to earn more. Therefore, let's get down to business and find out how much does Apple Music pay per stream and is there a chance to increase this amount.

Apple Music Pay per Stream Rate

In 2024, artists who upload their tracks on the platform, receive $0,01 per stream, which means you get 1 cent per one stream. It's considered as one of the highest rates among music streaming platforms. For some users, this may be considered as a very low and unfair rate, but only if you have a few tracks with low stream count. World-class artists like 50 cent, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and others earn hundreds and thousands of dollars every month.

It's also important to mention the payment model of Apple Music. The royalties distribution is based on the overall income on the platform. Therefore, it doesn't matter whether you are signed to the record label or not, you will receive the same amount of money for music streaming. 

Another important detail about Apple Music payment method is that its streaming revenue depends on the subscription of those who stream your music. If you want to understand what revenue you should expect at the end of the month, use an Apple Music royalty calculator. Unfortunately, it won't give you precise data, but it will show you approximate numbers.

How to Get Paid on Apple Music?

Simply creating an account and posting your music is not enough. You have to meet specific criteria to receive Apple Music's royalties. First and foremost, you have to provide all the information about banking and taxes. Since musicians receive payment after-tax deduction, you will be in the same condition. Also, there's a minimum payment threshold that may change depending on the country you live in. You can access the program and see how much it is in your country. If the country is not on the list, you will have a standard threshold, which is $40.

Moreover, not every music listen is considered a stream. To be counted as a stream, the song should be played for at least 30 seconds.

Is Apple Music Good for Artists?

Apple Music is considered one of the best music streaming platforms overall, but can it be named the best? People often compare it to Spotify, as these two platforms are giants of the music streaming industry. If you think about this compartment, too, let's mention the major advantages of each platform. 

Apple Music pays more, which means you can stream music and earn more. Still, despite the fact that Spotify pay per stream is lower, it offers a wider range of playlists like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and others. When you publish your music on Spotify, and it appears in various mixes and playlists, it means it has become popular enough to be showcased. Such playlists are individual for all users, so your music will be showcased to those who enjoy the same genre. 

A compartment of general features of both Spotify and Apple Music

Spotify also takes advantage as a platform with more opportunities for musicians. It has a wider audience and presents more genres, so once you organize your promotion campaign right, you can get your music viral and increase your net worth. At the same time, Apple Music gives you extra options to earn with iTunes. The idea is that people have to purchase a song to listen to it and save it in their library. Moreover, they have to pay for an Apple Music subscription to listen to free songs. So, if you have already made a name on other platforms, Apple Music could be your next step. Still, the Spotify vs Apple Music conquest remains open.

How to Increase Apple Music Payment per Stream?

Unfortunately, you can't significantly increase Apple Music per stream payment. Still, there are several options to increase the overall income and get paid more. You literally need to increase the number of streams, and that's how you can do it.

• Collaborate with other artists. When new musicians collaborate with those who are more popular and have a bigger audience. With this move, they introduce themselves to a bigger audience and attract people with the same listening habits.
• Run multi-level promotion campaign. Music becomes more popular when it can be heard and seen, and it's you who should make it visible to others. To get more Apple Music plays, you have to showcase your tracks on social media. Add a link to the song and to your Apple Music profile, as people will go and check your profile to see what you can offer. When we say multi-level promotion campaign, we mention both free and paid methods. By purchasing iTunes promotion packages, you get organic promotion and significantly increase your stats.

GET MORE APPLE MUSIC STREAMS

• Use paid advertising. Paid advertising on social media is another step towards increasing your total royalties on Apple Music. Whether you use paid ads on Facebook or Instagram, it's good to combine them with your regular posts to maximize effect.
• Upload music consistently. If you want to get more streams, you have to get more songs on your profile and post them consistently. Create a personal posting schedule that matches your audience's activity so people won't miss the upload.

Check Your Analytics and Implement Changes if Needed

Since you work with a specific strategy with posting, sharing, and advertising, you see how it works and how it changes the number of streams on Apple Music. Still, the times change, and the preferences of your audience may change, too. People will change the time they check the app, so you have to select other time slots. Another major change is about trending ads. Maybe you need to change the concept of your ads to make more people proceed to your account.

Discussions about streaming royalties continue between Apple Music users. Some say they should be raised, and others say the whole concept of income should be changed. Anyway, right now, Apple Music is one of the most paid streaming services in the music industry.

At the same time, Apple Music for artists provides musicians with detailed insights and gives more information about what should be changed in music sharing strategy. Also, there are secondary factors influencing Apple Music revenue, and you have to consider them as well.