Mixcloud is a user-generated content platform, where creators can share DJ mixes, radio shows, podcasts, original tracks, and more for their listeners to enjoy.
Read on to learn more about what you can upload to Mixcloud and the content rules to be aware of so you can share your uploads without worrying about takedowns.
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Frequently asked questions
What file formats can I use?
We accept WAV, AIFF, FLAC or AAC, OGG, M4A, MP2, MP3 or WMAs files.
If you're having issues uploading specific files or file types, please check out our troubleshooting tips here.
How long can my uploads be?
Uploads on Mixcloud are split into two main categories, based on length:
- We use 'Shows' to refer to any content over 15 minutes.
- We use 'Tracks' to refer to any content between 30 seconds and up to 15 minutes in length.
Mixcloud operates a fair and legal streaming service, in support of artists. This means that there are different rules about the kind of content you can include depending on whether you're uploading a show or a track. Please read on for more information.
Can I include copyrighted content in my uploads?
Mixcloud operates a fair and legal streaming service in support of artists. We're proud to be licensed and partners with many of the largest rights holders, record labels and publishers around the world.
This means we can host uploads that include copyrighted content, as long as the uploads:
- Meet the limits of our Featured Artist Rules
- These rules specify how many songs you can include per artist or album
- Are shows over 15 minutes long
- We can't currently accept tracks (uploads under 15 minutes) that include copyrighted content, such as samples, mini-mixes, or covers. You can read more here.
We use a bespoke system to identify tracks that have been included in uploads to the platform, so we can take care of the licensing and royalties for our creators and make sure that featured artists get paid when they get played.
How many uploads can I have on my profile?
Creators can have up to 10 shows and 10 tracks published and available for listeners. Please note that this includes unlisted shows that are shared via a link. Any shows in your drafts are not counted, and you can continue to upload new shows if you move older shows to your drafts.
To unleash your creativity and unlock unlimited uploads, we recommend subscribing to Pro. The Pro subscription gives you access to all of our creator toolkit features including live-streaming, stats, monetisation, unlimited show and track uploads and more.
For more information about our publishing limits, please review our article here.
Shows (uploads over 15 minutes)
What kind of shows can I upload?
We welcome creators to showcase a variety of Creators upload a variety of different shows, including talk and music radio shows, DJ sets, and podcasts.
We recommend reviewing our Community Guidelines and Terms of Use before you start using the platform.
What are the rules for the content I can include in my show?
Our Featured Artist Rules are in place to make sure Mixcloud is a fair platform for creators and artists.
If you'd like your show to be available to all listeners, please make sure your show contains:
-
Up to 3 songs from one album/compilation (and no more than 2 consecutively)
-
Up to 4 songs from one recording artist (and no more than 3 consecutively)
If our system detects that your upload includes content above these limits, your show may be restricted. Depending on the content of your show, it may still be available to subscribers, or it may be unavailable for all listeners.
Please review our Featured Artist Rules here for more information.
Why has my show been taken down?
Show are automatically scanned, including at the point of upload. If you're unable to publish your show or it has been removed for copyright reasons, please read Why is my show not available for some listeners? for more information and contact our Support Team for assistance.
Tracks (uploads up to 15 minutes)
What kind of tracks can I upload?
You can upload single, original audio compositions between 30 seconds and 15 minutes long. Creators most often use this to upload original songs and music, or short-form spoken-word content such as mini podcasts.
We recommend reviewing our Community Guidelines and Terms of Use before you start using the platform.
What are the rules for the content I can include in my track?
For licensing reasons, tracks must meet the following criteria to be hosted on Mixcloud:
- The upload must be a single, original track.
- We cannot accept re-mixes, re-samples, covers, or mini-mixes.
- If you're uploading a spoken-word piece, make sure not to include background music that you may not hold the rights to.
- The upload must not be signed to a major record label.
- You must own both the mechanical and performance rights.
- You must be a member of ASCAP*, BMI*, SESAC*, or no other Performance Rights Organization or publisher.
- We cannot currently accept tracks by members of other Performance Rights Organizations (eg. PRS, PPL, GEMA etc.)
- *See the next section for further information about how to inform your Performance Rights Organization if you upload your track to Mixcloud.
I'm a member of ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC
If you/the copyright holder are a member of ASCAP then you/they must submit the form titled "Notice of Direct/Source Licensing" to ASCAP. This form is available for download and submission through the Member Access section of the ASCAP website.
If you/they are a member of BMI then you/they must send a letter detailing the relevant works to BMI letting them know that you have granted a license of the performing rights in the Musical Work(s) to Mixcloud Limited. A template of this letter can be found here.
If you/they are a member of SESAC then you/they must send a letter detailing the relevant works to SESAC letting them know that you have granted a license of the performing rights in the Musical Work(s) to Mixcloud Limited.
Why has my track been taken down?
All tracks are scanned once they've been uploaded to Mixcloud, and your track may be restricted if we believe copyrighted content has been identified.
If your track contains copyrighted content that you don't own the rights to, you won't be able to publish it, and you may wish to consider including it as part of a longer piece of content and re-uploading it to Mixcloud as a show over 15 minutes.
If your track contains no copyrighted content or you own all rights to it, please contact our Support Team. Our team will review your track and if it meets all the criteria listed above, we can help to make this available for listeners.
I uploaded a show but it's listed as a track
If you uploaded a show but it's listed as a track, this will be because the file that was uploaded is under 15 minutes.
If your upload was under 15 minutes long:
Any uploads under 15 minutes will be displayed in the 'tracks' section on your profile, and it's not currently possible to edit this. If you'd like the content to be listed as a 'show', please upload a longer version over 15 minutes.
If your upload was over 15 minutes long:
We recommend double-checking your file before uploading it again, and you may wish to convert it to a different file type or re-export it from the software you used to create the file. If that doesn't resolve the issue, please contact Support.