Guide · Releasing
Labelling AI music: why honesty is the better strategy
The question comes up with every release: do I say the song was made with AI? Our answer after more than 50 tracks: yes, always, everywhere. Not only because distributors and platforms increasingly demand it, but because hiding is more expensive than openness in the long run.
What happens if you don’t
Detection is getting better. Distributors check uploads with their own models, streaming services flag suspicious catalogues, and listeners now recognise the AI sound themselves. Whoever is then exposed as “sneaky” loses exactly what a small brand has: credibility. On top of that comes the risk of a whole catalogue being blocked for “misleading information” – with all its streams and followers.
Where to label
| Place | How |
|---|---|
| Distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, …) | There is usually a field or a question about AI involvement during upload. Answer it truthfully – the information is passed on to the platforms. |
| Lyrics / credits fields | Enter “Produced with AI tools” or “AI-generated, concept and lyrics: <name>” in the credits. That is the place listeners actually see. |
| YouTube | Set the “altered or synthetic content” disclosure when uploading. YouTube then shows a notice – that is intended. |
| TikTok / Instagram | Enable the AI label when posting; mention briefly in the caption if the clip contains AI imagery. |
| Your own website | A clear line in the “About” section and an FAQ answer. Not in small print, not apologetic. |
| Playlist submissions | Mandatory with us; fair with other curators at least. Many don’t take AI music at all – then better not to submit than to be caught. |
As of October 2026. Platform rules change constantly – check briefly before every release.
What you can truthfully claim
Labelling does not mean belittling. Concept, lyrics, selection from dozens of runs, mastering, artwork, video, release planning – that is work, and it is yours. A wording we use: “Music and vocals are created with AI tools. Idea, lyrics, selection and everything after that is handmade.” That is honest and explains what you stand for.
The legal side in one paragraph
In the EU, the AI Act requires AI-generated content to be recognisable as such; the obligations apply in stages and initially concern the providers of the tools, but the direction is clear. Copyright is murkier: purely AI-generated recordings enjoy little or no protection in many countries; your lyrics and artwork (where they are your own work) do. This is not legal advice – for specific questions, see a copyright lawyer.
The side effect nobody expects
Openly labelled AI music has an audience of its own. There are listeners who look for exactly that, and curators who collect exactly that – our playlists are just one of them. You only reach that audience if you are visible. Honesty here is not a chore but a target group.
All guides are deliberately kept general: which models and tools run on your machine depends on your hardware. Questions or corrections? Write to us.