Understanding StarMaker's Song Request System
StarMaker's catalog operates through dual channels: official uploads and community-driven requests. The request feature connects users with StarMaker's content team. Submissions enter a prioritization system weighing request frequency, community votes, trending status, and critically—music licensing availability. Unlike instant upload platforms, StarMaker must secure proper licensing before adding tracks.
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What Is the StarMaker Official Songbook?
The official songbook is the complete catalog of licensed karaoke tracks. Each entry includes professionally produced backing tracks (instrumentals without vocals), synchronized lyrics, and metadata like artist names, album art, and genre tags. Every track undergoes quality control and legal clearance before publication.
Songs meet strict specs: m4a or mp3 format, 20 MB max file size, 10-minute duration limit. These constraints ensure consistent playback quality across devices.
Why Some Songs Are Missing
Three primary factors explain gaps:
- Licensing complexity varies across publishers, labels, and regional copyright holders. A song available in one country may face legal restrictions elsewhere
- Newer releases require time for rights negotiations—even trending songs take weeks or months
- Niche/independent artists may lack representation in StarMaker's licensing network
Regional catalog variations also contribute. StarMaker maintains different libraries for different markets based on local licensing and user demand.
The Role of Music Licensing
Music licensing is the biggest bottleneck. StarMaker must negotiate with multiple rights holders per track: composition copyright holder (songwriter/publisher) and master recording holder (record label). Both must grant synchronization licenses.
This dual-licensing requirement explains why simple requests take months. If either party denies permission or demands prohibitive fees, the song can't be added regardless of demand. High-profile artists with strict catalog control may never appear, while independent artists with flexible licensing often get added quickly.
How StarMaker Prioritizes Song Additions
StarMaker's algorithm balances multiple inputs:
- Request volume serves as primary signal—hundreds of requests rank higher than single-digit submissions
- Community voting amplifies this signal
- Trending songs on mainstream charts receive accelerated review
- Catalog diversity is maintained across genres, languages, and eras
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Request Songs
Locating the Song Request Feature
The request feature appears in two locations:
- When searching for a non-existent song, Request This Song button appears below empty results
- Settings or help menu contains dedicated Song Request option
If you can't locate it, update to the latest app version.
Required Information
Complete and accurate info dramatically improves processing speed. Essential data points:
- Exact song title
- Primary artist name
- Album name (if applicable)
- Release year
- Song language
Optional but recommended: songwriter credits, record label, link to official audio source (streaming platform/music video).
Proper Formatting
Formatting consistency matters. For artist names, use official spelling exactly as it appears—including capitalization, special characters, and featuring credits. BLACKPINK differs from Blackpink in database searches.
Song titles should include subtitle info in parentheses: Song Title (Album Version) or Song Title (feat. Guest Artist). Avoid adding official video or lyrics that don't appear in the actual title. For non-English songs, provide both original language title and romanized/translated version.
Submitting Your Request
Fill each field methodically:
- Enter exact song title with proper capitalization and punctuation
- Add primary performer's official name
- Include album info if applicable
- Select correct language from dropdown
- In notes field, include context: trending on charts,recently released,frequently requested—stick to factual info
- Review all fields for accuracy before submitting
Incorrect info delays your request and creates duplicate entries when others submit the same song with different formatting.
7 Proven Strategies to Get Songs Uploaded Faster
Strategy 1: Rally Community Support Through Voting
Community voting functions as a force multiplier. When multiple users request the same song and vote for it, cumulative signal pushes that track higher in priority. Organize voting campaigns through StarMaker's social features.
Coordinate timing for maximum impact—simultaneous requests from dozens of users within a short timeframe create trending signals. Share request ID or song details through messaging features, forums, or social media groups. Songs with 50+ coordinated requests often get added within weeks rather than months.
Strategy 2: Request Trending and Popular Songs
Licensing teams prioritize songs already trending on charts or viral on social platforms because they anticipate high demand. Request songs currently climbing Billboard Hot 100, dominating TikTok, or featured in popular media.
Time requests to coincide with release cycles—submit within days of official release when licensing teams are actively negotiating. Avoid obscure B-sides unless you can demonstrate substantial community interest.
Strategy 3: Provide Complete and Accurate Song Information
Incomplete requests create processing friction. Licensing teams must verify every detail before initiating rights negotiations. Submit comprehensive data—including ISRC codes when available—to eliminate verification steps.
Cross-reference info against official sources: artist's verified streaming profiles, record label websites, or music databases. Include specific version details: live versions, remixes, acoustic renditions, or remastered editions each require separate licensing.
Strategy 4: Time Requests with Music Release Cycles
Strategic timing aligns requests with periods when licensing agreements are already under negotiation. When an artist releases a new album, labels often negotiate bulk licensing deals covering multiple tracks. Requesting songs from that album during release window increases chance your track gets included in ongoing negotiations.
Similarly, anniversary reissues, greatest hits compilations, and catalog re-releases create licensing opportunities. Monitor artist announcements for these windows.
Strategy 5: Leverage StarMaker VIP Benefits
VIP membership provides tangible advantages. Premium members often receive priority customer service, faster response times for status inquiries, and direct communication channels. Some VIP tiers include monthly priority request allocations that flag submissions for expedited review.
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Strategy 6: Follow Up Strategically Without Spamming
Wait at least 30 days after initial submission before inquiring about status—licensing genuinely requires weeks or months. When you follow up, reference original request ID and provide new info: increased votes, trending status changes, or licensing developments.
Limit follow-ups to once per month maximum. Excessive inquiries can deprioritize your requests. Frame follow-ups as informational updates rather than demands.
Strategy 7: Request Songs with Clear Licensing Availability
Research licensing complexity before submitting. Songs from independent artists, smaller labels, or artists known for flexible licensing have higher approval rates than tracks from major artists with restrictive catalog control.
Check whether the artist/label has existing presence in StarMaker's catalog—if multiple songs from the same source already appear, licensing relationships exist that facilitate additional approvals.
Avoid songs with known complications: tracks heavily sampling other works, songs in legal disputes, or recordings from artists who've opposed karaoke platforms.
How StarMaker's Approval Process Works
From Request to Upload: The Journey
After submission, requests enter a centralized database where automated systems aggregate duplicates and tally votes. Weekly or bi-weekly, content teams review high-priority requests. Selected songs move to licensing investigation, where legal teams identify rights holders and initiate contact.
Licensing negotiations vary from days to months. Once agreements are secured, audio production teams create the backing track—either licensing existing instrumental or producing new karaoke arrangement. Quality control reviews ensure proper audio levels, accurate lyric synchronization, and metadata completeness.
After passing checks, the song undergoes final upload preparation including format conversion, file optimization, and database indexing. The entire journey typically spans 4-12 weeks for straightforward requests, but complex licensing can extend to 6+ months.
How Community Voting Influences Priority
Each user vote adds weight to a song's priority score. The algorithm favors requests demonstrating broad community interest. StarMaker likely employs vote velocity calculations—songs accumulating votes rapidly signal trending demand and receive accelerated review.
However, voting alone doesn't override licensing constraints. A song with thousands of votes still can't be added if rights holders deny permission or demand unreasonable fees.
The Licensing Negotiation Phase
StarMaker's legal teams must contact copyright holders, explain karaoke use case, negotiate fees, and finalize contracts. Response times vary wildly: some publishers respond within days, others require weeks just to route inquiries.
Fee negotiations also impact timelines. Rights holders may demand upfront payments, per-use royalties, or hybrid arrangements. If initial proposals exceed budget thresholds, negotiations extend. Some ultimately fail, resulting in rejections despite strong community support.
Quality Control and Audio Mastering
Once licensing is secured, audio production begins. For songs with official instrumentals, StarMaker licenses those directly. For tracks without available instrumentals, production teams create karaoke versions using vocal removal technology, audio mastering, and quality verification.
Lyric synchronization follows audio preparation. Timing specialists align lyrics to backing track, marking precise timestamps for each line. Final quality control verifies audio clarity, appropriate volume, accurate lyrics, and proper metadata.
Timeline Expectations
Average Wait Times by Category
- Current mainstream pop hits from major labels: 6-10 weeks with straightforward licensing
- Older catalog songs from established artists: 6-10 weeks with existing relationships, 3-4 months if rights transferred
- Independent artist tracks: 3-6 weeks (smaller rights holders respond quickly)
- International songs: 4-8 weeks in regions with strong licensing networks, 4-6 months in regions with less developed infrastructure
Factors That Speed Up or Delay Uploads
Accelerators:
- Pre-existing licensing relationships
- Availability of official instrumentals
- Clear rights ownership without sampling complications
- High community vote counts
Delays:
- Rights ownership disputes or unclear copyright
- Heavy sampling requiring multiple licenses
- Restrictive licensing policies or prohibitive fees
- Poor-quality source audio requiring additional production
Checking Request Status
StarMaker's app provides limited real-time tracking. Indicators of progress:
- Song appears in search with Coming Soon tag = cleared licensing, entered production
- Request ID shows increased vote counts = community support building
- In-app notifications when requested songs go live (varies by region)
For detailed status, contact support through app's help feature with request ID. Expect 2-5 business days for responses.
If Your Request Takes Longer Than Expected
If 12+ weeks pass without progress, submit polite status inquiry through official support. Provide request ID, original submission date, and current vote count. Ask whether licensing negotiations are ongoing or if obstacles emerged.
Consider requesting similar songs from same artist/genre as alternatives. Diversifying requests across multiple songs increases likelihood some will be approved within reasonable timeframes.
Common Song Request Mistakes
12 Reasons Why Requests Get Rejected
- Incorrect song information - wrong artist names, misspelled titles, inaccurate metadata
- Duplicate submissions with different formatting - fragments vote counts
- Restrictive licensing - artists/labels prohibiting karaoke versions
- Excessive sampling - multiple licensing agreements economically unfeasible
- Explicit content violations - violates community guidelines
- Poor quality source audio - can't proceed to production
- Regional licensing restrictions - legally unavailable in certain territories
- Rights holder non-response - can't contact or no response to inquiries
- Prohibitive licensing fees - economically unviable
- Ongoing legal disputes - unavailable until legal resolution
- Artist objections - explicitly opposed karaoke platforms
- Technical production impossibility - audio characteristics prevent quality karaoke creation
Incorrect Information and Formatting Errors
Formatting mistakes create the most common preventable delays. Inconsistent capitalization fragments duplicate detection. Misspelled artist names send licensing teams searching for non-existent rights holders.
Version confusion also causes problems. Requesting Song Title when you want Song Title (Acoustic Version) may result in wrong recording being licensed. Always specify exact version with parenthetical descriptors.
Requesting Songs with Complex Licensing
Some songs carry inherent complications. Mashups combining multiple copyrighted songs require licensing with every included rights holder. Heavily sampled tracks face similar multiplication of requirements. Songs from artists known for restrictive catalog control have near-zero approval probability.
Research before requesting by checking whether artist/song appears on other karaoke platforms. Widespread absence signals likely licensing restrictions.
Duplicate Requests Impact
While duplicates from multiple users strengthen priority, duplicates from the same user create inefficiency. Submitting the same song multiple times doesn't increase priority—the system consolidates requests from individual accounts. Instead, duplicates may flag your account for spam-like behavior.
Coordinate with other users to submit requests using identical formatting. Ten users each submitting one properly formatted request creates stronger signals than one user submitting ten duplicates.
StarMaker VIP Membership Impact
VIP Benefits Related to Song Catalog
VIP members typically receive:
- Early access to newly added songs (hours/days before free-tier users)
- Expanded regional catalog access
- Monthly allocations of priority requests (1-3 per month depending on tier)
- Direct communication channels with support teams
These don't override licensing constraints but ensure requests receive attention during priority review cycles.
Using BitTopup to Manage VIP Subscription
Maintaining VIP status requires regular credit top-ups. BitTopup streamlines this with competitive pricing, secure payment processing, and fast delivery of StarMaker coins. The platform's user-friendly interface simplifies recharge transactions, while excellent customer service addresses any issues.
For users strategically leveraging VIP benefits to support song request campaigns, BitTopup's reliable service ensures uninterrupted premium access.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
VIP membership justifies cost based on request frequency and overall platform usage. Users submitting 5+ requests monthly and actively rallying community support benefit most from priority allocations and enhanced support access. Casual users requesting 1-2 songs occasionally may find free-tier sufficient.
Calculate monthly platform engagement: if you spend significant time performing, collaborating, and participating in social features, VIP delivers value beyond song requests through improved recording quality and expanded features.
Alternative Solutions While Waiting
Using StarMaker's Cover Feature
StarMaker's cover feature allows uploading your own backing tracks for songs not in official catalog. Anyone with an account can upload songs via website (not app) following an eight-step process:
- Sign in via account
- Upload audio backing track (instrumental only, no vocals)
- Enter title and artist information
- Acknowledge terms of service compliance
- Add album art and tags
- Enter lyrics with language selection
- Time lyrics to music by tapping spacebar to sync lines (speaker icon shows current line)
- Preview timeline and save—song indexes automatically
Technical requirements: m4a or mp3 format, 20 MB max, 10-minute duration limit.
Finding Similar Songs in Catalog
Explore existing catalog for acceptable alternatives. Search for:
- Songs by same artist
- Tracks from same genre/era
- Covers of your requested song by different artists
Many popular songs have multiple versions—live recordings, acoustic renditions, or covers—providing similar performance experiences.
Creating Your Own Performance While Building Anticipation
Use waiting period to develop performance skills on available songs, building your profile and follower base. When your requested song gets added, you'll have an established audience ready to engage.
Practice similar songs to prepare vocally. Engage actively by performing popular catalog songs, collaborating with users, and participating in challenges. This maintains platform presence and builds social capital supporting future request campaigns.
Maximizing Your StarMaker Experience
Building Your Profile While Waiting
Develop strong profile by consistently posting quality performances of available songs. Regular activity increases follower count, amplifying your ability to mobilize community support for future requests.
Optimize profile with complete information, engaging bio, and representative images. Participate in trending challenges and seasonal events to increase visibility.
Engaging with Community
Active participation creates networks supporting coordinated campaigns. Join StarMaker groups focused on specific genres, artists, or regions where members share similar catalog interests. Collaborate on voting campaigns for mutually desired songs.
Share performances and engage authentically with others' content. Building genuine relationships makes users more willing to support your requests. Reciprocate by supporting others' requests.
Using BitTopup for Seamless Top-Ups
Maintaining consistent engagement requires reliable access to premium features. BitTopup provides fast, secure StarMaker coin recharges with competitive pricing. The platform's excellent customer service resolves transaction issues quickly, ensuring uninterrupted access.
BitTopup's wide game coverage and high user ratings reflect reliability across multiple platforms. Secure payment processing protects financial information while delivering credits rapidly, often within minutes.
Success Stories
Community forums document cases where strategic approaches accelerated approvals. One example: coordinated campaigns where 50+ users submitted identical requests for trending K-pop releases within 24 hours of official release. Concentrated demand signal, combined with timing coinciding with label licensing negotiations, resulted in approval within three weeks.
Another pattern: users providing comprehensive info including ISRC codes and direct links to official audio processed 30-40% faster than minimally detailed submissions. Users who strategically followed up monthly with polite inquiries and updated vote counts also reported better outcomes.
FAQ
How do I request a song on StarMaker? Search for your song in the app. If it doesn't appear, tap Request This Song. Fill out the form with exact song title, artist name, album, release year, and language. Use official spelling and formatting. Submit and encourage others to vote using identical formatting.
How long does StarMaker take to add requested songs? 6-10 weeks for mainstream songs with straightforward licensing, 3-6 months for complex rights situations. Independent artist songs sometimes process faster (3-6 weeks). Timeline varies based on rights holder responsiveness, licensing complexity, community votes, and production requirements.
Can I speed up song approval? Yes: rally community votes by coordinating requests, provide complete accurate info including ISRC codes, request trending songs during release cycles, leverage VIP priority allocations, and follow up monthly with polite inquiries. However, licensing constraints ultimately determine approval.
Why was my request rejected? Common reasons: incorrect song info, restrictive licensing policies, prohibitive fees, complex sampling, explicit content violations, poor quality source audio, regional restrictions, rights holder non-response, legal disputes, or technical production impossibility.
Does VIP get faster song uploads? VIP provides indirect advantages: priority request allocations (1-3 monthly), early access to new songs, enhanced support channels, and sometimes expanded regional catalog access. These don't override licensing constraints but can expedite review for specific requests.
How many people need to request a song? No fixed threshold exists, but songs with 50+ coordinated requests typically receive prioritized licensing attention. Vote velocity matters—rapid accumulation signals trending demand. However, votes influence which songs get licensing review first, not which ultimately get approved. Licensing availability remains the determining factor.
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