Skip to content
dynamoi
Start FreeApp
AI Music Distribution

RouteNote AI Music Policy: Free Tier + Conditions [2026]

3 min read

Key takeaway

RouteNote accepts AI-generated music on both its free tier (85/15 revenue split) and premium tier, making it one of the few distributors offering genuinely free AI music distribution. Their January 6, 2026 policy requires you to verify your AI tool grants commercial rights, provide links to the AI platforms used, and avoid artist impersonation. AI content is excluded from Content Recognition services, meaning no YouTube Content ID protection for AI tracks.

What does RouteNote require for AI uploads?

RouteNote's moderation team reviews AI submissions against four requirements.

Verify your AI tool's terms Before uploading, confirm the AI platform you used grants commercial distribution rights. Free tiers of most generators do not include commercial rights, so you need a paid subscription (Suno Pro/Premier, for example).

Provide links to AI tools used RouteNote explicitly asks for links to the sites used to create your AI music. Their moderation team uses these links to verify legitimacy and rights compliance. If you cannot demonstrate where the content came from, it may be refused.

No artist impersonation Content that imitates specific real-world artists will be rejected. This includes AI voice clones and style mimicry designed to mislead listeners about who created the music.

Use ethically sourced AI tools RouteNote emphasizes avoiding tools trained on copyrighted material without consent. They frame this as a risk area for creators and a factor in their moderation decisions.

Does the free tier accept AI music?

Yes. Both RouteNote's free tier (15% revenue share) and premium tier accept AI content under the same conditions. The free tier makes RouteNote one of the few distributors offering genuinely free AI music distribution. You keep 85% of royalties without any upfront payment, making it a low-risk option for testing AI content performance.

Note No AI-policy differences exist between RouteNote's free and premium tiers. The same conditions and platform exclusions apply to both.

Why is Content ID excluded for AI music?

RouteNote states AI content may not be eligible for "Content Recognition" services. This means no YouTube Content ID or similar fingerprinting protection for AI tracks. The exclusion exists because Content ID systems identify unique copyrighted works, and AI-generated content raises questions about copyright eligibility. Multiple users generating similar outputs from the same AI model creates additional complications for fingerprinting systems.

This exclusion is consistent across AI-friendly distributors. LANDR and Amuse also exclude YouTube Content ID for AI content.

What should you expect during review?

RouteNote reviews all submissions before distribution. For AI content, expect possible requests for AI source links, questions about commercial rights from your AI tool, standard review timelines, potential rejection if impersonation is detected, and exclusion from Content ID even if the release is approved. Respond promptly if RouteNote requests additional information, since delays in providing verification can hold up your release.

How does RouteNote compare to other free options?

RouteNote is one of the few distributors that combines free distribution with AI acceptance. DistroKid accepts AI music but requires a paid subscription. UnitedMasters has no explicit AI limitations but offers a revenue-share free tier with fewer documented AI-specific guidelines. Amuse no longer offers a free tier. For AI creators who want to minimize financial risk while testing distribution, RouteNote's free tier is the most accessible starting point.