14 DAY TRIAL // A PDF document containing the rules and best practices for artists planning to use the company’s music-centric social network is now available for download. The document outlines that artists should only create a profile if they plan on using it, in an effort to fight off criticism.
The documentation begins with Apple explaining that once the user has received an email approving their Ping artist profile, they’ll be ready to create it and start posting.
“Follow the steps and guidelines in this document to get your profile up and running, and to ensure that your posts are error-free,” Apple notes.
A first requirement is iTunes 10, the latest version of the software used to browse the iTunes Store, buy music, movies and apps, and connect your iDevices for syncing. The actual steps are then dished out (create Apple ID, click this, click that etc.),
The Mac maker then carefully lists the Videos iTunes Content Policies, which specifically states that “Videos, photos, and text posts should not contain pornography, hate speech, racism, nudity, or any references to or depictions of drug use.”
Apple continues:
- Posts should not include advertisements or links to sites outside of iTunes.
- Posts should not contain links to other content providers.
- URLs should not be included in the About section of your artist profile. This includes official artist website URLs. URLs can only be posted in the Event feed.
- Only upload photos and videos that you have a legal right to share.
Notably, Apple recommends that artists don’t pick the same album multiple times, and that they don’t pick only their own music for the Music I Like section of their artist profile.
Why? Because “Fans are eager to find new music that their favorite artists are listening to and downloading,” Apple explains. In fact, this is the whole point of using Ping, Apple should say.
Finally, Apple addresses artists suggesting they shouldn’t bother creating an account if they don’t plan on posting every once in a while.
“Do not create your artist profile until you are ready to make a post or two. Fans will be far more likely to follow you if they can tell that your profile is active,” the company explains (emphasis ours).
To review the whole document, click here (PDF download).