If your album includes tracks longer than ten minutes, some digital partners handle them differently for streaming royalty payments. These tracks can still be delivered normally, but the earnings model may not match shorter tracks.

How are long tracks treated by streaming services?

• Platforms like Apple Music and iTunes may classify any track over ten minutes as “album only.”
• When a track is marked “album only,” listeners may need to purchase the full album rather than buy or download the track individually.
• Some partners may also limit how these tracks appear in their stores or how they can be purchased.

How do long tracks affect my royalty earnings?

• If a track is longer than ten minutes, certain stores or services may pay a pro-rated amount instead of a standard per-track rate.
• Streaming royalties for long tracks can also vary depending on the partner’s policies.
• These differences are determined entirely by each store or service, not by CD Baby.

What are my options for longer tracks?

If your release contains a track that exceeds 10 minutes, you have two options for distribution:

• Option 1: Make extended tracks available for individual download and streaming
  • Longer tracks will be priced the same as shorter ones.
  • Your album will be distributed to streaming services.
  • You’ll be eligible for YouTube Content ID.
• Option 2: Make extended tracks "Album only" and don't distribute to streaming services.
  • Tracks will only be available as part of a full-album download.
  • Your album won't be distributed to streaming platforms.
  • You won't be eligible for YouTube Content ID.
  • This choice can't be changed after distribution.

Things to note

• Your release will still be delivered normally — having long tracks does not prevent distribution.
• CD Baby does not control how partners price or categorize tracks over ten minutes.
• If exact payment rates are important for your release planning, check each partner’s public royalty policy for long-form content.