> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.beatpass.ca/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Earnings Formula

> The exact BeatPass contribution formula used to calculate subscription payout share from recency, plays, and collaborator count.

BeatPass calculates contribution value with a three-part formula:

$$
\text{Contribution Value} =
\exp\left(-\frac{\ln(2)}{6} \cdot \text{monthsSinceUpload}\right)
\times
\left(1 + 2 \cdot \frac{\log_{10}(1 + \text{plays})}{\log_{10}(1 + \text{plays}) + 1}\right)
\times
\left(\frac{1}{\text{producerCount}}\right)
$$

## What Each Part Means

| Part                    | Purpose                                                     |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Time decay**          | Rewards newer uploads with a 6-month half-life              |
| **Popularity boost**    | Increases value as play count grows, up to 3x               |
| **Collaboration split** | Divides the track's value equally across credited producers |

## Time Decay

The time-decay term uses a 6-month half-life. In plain language:

* A brand-new track starts at full recency strength
* After about 6 months, that recency factor is cut in half
* After about 12 months, it is halved again

## Popularity Boost

The popularity term uses a logarithmic play curve:

* Early plays matter a lot
* Later growth still helps, but the boost rises more gradually
* The boost starts at **1x** and approaches **3x**

## Collaboration Split

If more than one producer is credited on the same track, BeatPass divides that track's contribution equally across those credited producers.

## Is this the same as "paid per play"?

Not exactly.

BeatPass does not pay a fixed amount for each individual play. It calculates contribution value using recency, play activity, and collaborator count. That value determines each eligible producer's share of subscription payout allocation.

This distinction matters because your share can change when:

* Your own track activity changes
* Other catalog activity changes
* Time decay changes the relative value of uploads
* Collaborators are credited on a track

## Important Notes

* Tracks marked **exclusive-only** get a contribution value of **0** for subscription sharing
* BeatPass recalculates contribution values periodically (roughly every few hours) so new plays and time decay continue to affect payout calculations
* Your share can change even if your own plays stay flat, because the platform total can change too

## Worked Example

For a track that is:

* 3 months old
* moderately played
* credited to 2 producers

The final contribution value is:

1. Reduced by time decay
2. Increased by popularity boost
3. Split in half because of the two credited producers

That final value is then combined with the rest of your eligible catalog to determine your subscription payout share.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Contribution System" href="/help/earnings/contribution-system" icon="chart-line">
    Return to the high-level overview.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Maximizing Earnings" href="/help/earnings/contribution-system/maximizing-earnings" icon="arrow-trend-up">
    Learn practical ways to improve your results.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Trust Stack" href="/help/getting-started/beatpass-trust-stack" icon="layer-group">
    See how the published formula fits into BeatPass's wider trust system.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Need Help?

If you have questions or need assistance, contact the support team at [**contact@beatpass.ca**](mailto:contact@beatpass.ca) or visit the [Contact Support](/help/contact-support) page.