# How to Offer a Free Download on SoundCloud (and Get Followers Back)

> Two ways to give your track away on SoundCloud — and why one of them builds your fanbase while the other doesn’t.

By Tony (Fangate team, Fangate.eu) · Published 2026-06-16 · Tutorials
Canonical: https://www.fangate.eu/blog/how-to-offer-a-free-download-on-soundcloud

SoundCloud is still the home of free music. Producers, DJs and bedroom artists use it to share edits, [bootlegs](https://www.fangate.eu/blog/edits-bootlegs-remixes-free-download), remixes and originals — and “Free Download” in a track title remains one of the strongest hooks on the platform.

There are two ways to offer a free download on SoundCloud. One is quick. The other actually grows your audience.

## Option 1 — Enable downloads directly on SoundCloud

SoundCloud lets you allow downloads of a track in its settings. Fans click the download option and get the file.

It is simple, but you get nothing back: no follow, no repost, no email. The listener takes the track and disappears.

## Option 2 — Use a download gate via the “Buy” link

The smarter way is to send fans to a **download gate**. In your SoundCloud track settings, you can add a custom link (often labelled as the purchase or “Buy” link) and, depending on your account type, a custom button title such as “Free Download”. Point that link to your Fangate [gate](https://www.fangate.eu/blog/what-is-a-download-gate).

When a fan clicks it, they land on your gate, complete the actions you chose — follow, repost, like, email — and then get the file.

## Step by step

1. **Upload your track to SoundCloud** as usual.
2. **Create a gate on** [**fangate.eu**](https://www.fangate.eu/) using your SoundCloud track link.
3. **Choose your actions**: for [SoundCloud growth](https://www.fangate.eu/blog/how-to-grow-on-soundcloud), follow + repost is the classic combo.
4. **Copy your gate link.**
5. **In SoundCloud, edit your track** and paste the gate link into the buy/custom link field. Set the button title to “Free Download”.
6. **Add “Free Download” to your track title**, for example: Artist — Track (Free Download).
7. **Mention it in the description** with the link, for people browsing on mobile.

## Why reposts are the secret weapon

A follow grows your audience once. A **repost** puts your track in front of every follower of the person who reposted it. When dozens of fans repost the same track, it spreads through SoundCloud feeds — exactly the kind of organic push that algorithms and curators notice.

## Make sure actions are enforced

In June 2026, [Hypeddit](https://www.fangate.eu/blog/fangate-vs-hypeddit) announced that its API connection to SoundCloud had been paused, making SoundCloud actions on its gates voluntary: fans are prompted to follow and repost, but can download either way ([source](https://hypeddit.com/news/a-change-to-soundcloud-download-gates/)).

Fangate verifies each action with the platform before the file unlocks. If you are choosing a tool, check how it handles SoundCloud actions today — it is the single feature that decides whether your gate grows your profile or not.

## Best practices

- **Tag your track properly** (genre, mood) so it appears in searches.
- **Post at a consistent time** when your audience is online.
- **Share the SoundCloud link first**, then the gate: the stream counts, the gate converts.
- **Reply to comments.** Early engagement tells SoundCloud your track is alive.
- **Thank your reposters** — a quick message builds real relationships.

> **Turn every download into a fan.** Create your free SoundCloud gate at [fangate.eu](https://www.fangate.eu/auth/registration).