SoundCloud to let artists sell music directly, taking no cut of sales
SoundCloud is launching a feature that lets musicians sell tracks straight from their profile pages, starting with a beta test involving 200 US-based Artist Pro subscribers before wider rollout this fall. The company won't take a percentage of sales, though artists still cover payment processing fees and taxes, and can track earnings through existing Artist Studio and Fan Support tools.
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This move positions SoundCloud to compete directly with Bandcamp, whose future looks shakier after major layoffs and repeated staff cuts under owner Songtradr. It also taps into a real shift among younger listeners toward buying music outright rather than relying solely on streaming, giving independent artists another revenue stream on a platform already known for early discovery.
- Feature debuts as a beta with 200 US Artist Pro subscribers before broader release this fall
- SoundCloud takes no cut of direct sales, though fees and taxes still apply to artists
- Launch comes amid Bandcamp's instability following layoffs, signaling a competitive opening for SoundCloud
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones — If SoundCloud is about to become the place you buy tracks straight from independent artists, you'll want to actually hear what you paid for. The ATH-M50x is a studio-monitor classic with detachable cables and a folding design, equally at home digging through new uploads or mixing your own tracks to sell.
See Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Headphones on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Igor Bonifacic, 2026-08-26
Published there as: “SoundCloud will let you buy music directly from artists”
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