Songtradr

Company Structure & Services

Songtradr operates a two-sided marketplace connecting music rights holders with commercial licensors through proprietary matching technology. The platform facilitates synchronization licensing while offering secondary distribution services to streaming platforms and monetization tools for business radio and social media applications. Through strategic acquisitions including Big Sync Music, Cuesongs, MassiveMusic, and Bandcamp, the company has built vertically integrated infrastructure spanning sync licensing, distribution, and rights management.

The Music Wanted system serves as the primary placement mechanism, posting opportunities from music supervisors and brand representatives. Composers submit tracks consuming platform credits, with submissions progressing through multi-stage review processes. The company maintains relationships with major entertainment and advertising clients including production studios and multinational brands.

The Bandcamp acquisition in September 2023 preceded a fifty percent workforce reduction within three weeks, raising questions about operational priorities following the purchase. Distribution services transitioned from free access to mandatory paid subscriptions in July 2024, eliminating previously available no-cost options.

Business Model & Pricing

The revenue structure combines annual subscription fees with commission-based sync licensing. The Pro tier charges $49 annually with twenty percent commission on sync deals, while the Lite option costs $19 yearly but extracts sixty percent commission. Distribution royalties flow entirely to artists on paid tiers following elimination of the free service layer.

Music Wanted submissions require credits—users receive 35 initially, then must purchase additional access or upgrade tiers. This creates dual revenue extraction: subscription fees plus per-submission costs through the credit system. Monthly opportunities range from ten to fifteen postings, with selection rates remaining undisclosed publicly.

The platform eliminated free distribution in July 2024, forcing migration to paid subscriptions. One composer stated the change meant “closing their own free tier on Songtradr and sending you to Bandcamp if you want to distribute your music.” Existing users faced choices between paying annual fees or removing their catalogs from streaming platforms. Transaction fees apply to payment withdrawals, with processing extending ten business days and minimum thresholds set at $10 USD.

Composer Experience

Placement success represents the most significant gap between platform marketing and composer outcomes. Multiple testimonials document extended submission periods without secured deals. One composer described submitting to opportunities since 2017, making shortlists “several times but I’ve never had a song actually selected.” Another reported three years with “90 songs in catalog, nothing was licensed.”

Successful placements occur but remain rare. Eric Dubois documented patience spanning four years from 2017 before securing Tazo Tea and SZA placements, now experiencing more regular opportunities. Finding Novyon described the platform as “opening up multiple synch opportunities.” These positive outcomes appear in approximately five to ten percent of testimonials, with the majority reporting zero placements despite years of submissions and paid subscriptions.

The submission process provides no feedback on rejections—composers never learn why tracks weren’t selected or how to improve future submissions. One composer noted “SONGTRADR HAS NEVER NOT ONCE placed, or suggested or plugged ANY songs for LICENSING,” suggesting the platform functions primarily as distribution infrastructure rather than active placement service. Selection timelines extend months, with composers waiting indefinitely for responses on submitted opportunities.

Testimonials indicate sync fees ranging $150-$300 for successful placements, though some sources mention wider ranges to several thousand dollars for major network uses. Payment timelines from placement to artist compensation average six to nine months, following industry standard patterns where clients report usage quarterly and Songtradr processes payments only after receiving funds.

Account Termination Issues

Multiple composers report account terminations citing artificial streaming detection, with funds withheld indefinitely and no appeals process provided. One composer stated in March 2023: “I got an email from them that they had seen an unusual streaming activity and that they were terminating my account. I told them I have millions of streams… over many years and that I am promoting my streams through multiple social media platforms. But they refused to reinstate my account.”

A label owner with ten artists described receiving termination notices without specification of which artist or track triggered the action. The composer claimed “550+ music placements” and active commercial use, yet the entire label’s catalog was blocked with all funds withheld. Company responses cite Section 4(e) of service agreements granting discretionary termination rights, with language stating “all funds will be withheld and subject to review pending potential claw back from DSPs.”

The policy language permits indefinite retention of artist earnings during unspecified review periods, with funds ultimately used “to benefit the music community in a manner of our choosing” if no DSP clawbacks occur. Seven documented cases spanning 2021-2025 follow identical patterns: immediate account lockout, no advance warning, no evidence disclosure, no appeal mechanism, and continued music availability generating revenue the platform retains.

Two-factor authentication lockouts present additional access barriers, with one composer reporting unsuccessful attempts to regain account access “several years ago” despite “numerous times” contacting support. Music remains live on streaming platforms after account terminations, creating situations where composers lose access to earnings from their own copyrights while the platform continues collecting revenue.

Support & Communication

Response timelines vary significantly across documented cases, with standard email replies taking six to thirteen business days according to testimonials and company statements. Some composers describe responsive assistance, while others report months-long communication gaps on critical account issues. One composer attempting to resolve authentication problems stated: “I have emailed songtradr numerous times and have been unable to get help.”

The company provides form responses citing policy sections without addressing specific composer circumstances. In termination cases, support teams reference fraud prevention systems and DSP reporting without sharing evidence or details enabling composers to verify or contest accusations. Generic language patterns appear across multiple complaint responses, suggesting templated replies rather than individualized investigation.

Some positive experiences exist—approximately ten percent of testimonials mention helpful support teams resolving technical issues or answering questions promptly. This creates inconsistent service quality where outcomes depend heavily on specific issues and assigned representatives. Critical problems like account terminations and fund withholding receive minimal engagement beyond policy citation, while routine technical questions sometimes receive faster resolution.

Chat systems and support portals function inconsistently according to user reports. Payment processing questions and distribution errors sometimes take weeks to address, with composers describing songs released to incorrect artist pages or removal requests unprocessed for extended periods.

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