A finished song can still arrive on the wrong artist page, show a messy title or miss an important credit. The audio may be ready, but the details around it need the same care. This music metadata checklist helps independent artists check those details before an upload goes to streaming services.
Music metadata is the information attached to a recording and release. It includes the artist name, song title, writers, roles, release date and identifying codes. Spotify says it displays music as the label or distributor sends it. If something is wrong, the distributor must send an update. A careful check before delivery can save time later.
1. Match your artist name exactly
Write your artist name in the same way on every release. Check spaces, capital letters, punctuation and any word such as The. A small change can look like a different artist. If your distributor asks you to choose an existing Spotify or Apple Music profile, open the profile first and make sure it is yours.
Spotify asks artists to keep name spelling and formatting consistent from one release to the next. It also says every artist should have a separate name field. Do not place two names in one box unless the upload form clearly asks for that.
2. Clean up the release and track titles
Enter the real title, not a file name. Remove notes such as final master, 2026 mix or 24-bit. Do not add your artist name, a website or a social handle to the song title. Apple says titles must be accurate and should not include extra information that does not identify the content.
Use the version field when the form offers one. Words such as Live, Remix, Acoustic or Radio Edit may belong there. Keep the main title clear. Compare the spelling with your cover art, press release and smart link before you submit.
3. Choose the right artist roles
A primary artist is one of the main names on a track. A featured artist adds a guest performance. A remixer has a different role again. Pick the role that matches the work. Spotify says roles can affect how a song appears on an artist profile, so this is more than a display choice.
For an EP or album, check roles at both release level and track level. A guest may appear on one song but not the whole release. Ask collaborators to confirm the exact spelling of their artist names and the profile links they use.
4. Add every songwriter and key credit
List the people who wrote the music and lyrics. Use full legal names if your distributor requests them. DistroKid says it asks for real songwriter names so services can show the right credit. A stage name and a songwriter name may be handled in different fields.
Add producers, performers and engineers where the form allows it. Apple asks for complete and accurate contributor names and roles. Keep a shared credit sheet for every song. Get all writers to approve it before upload day, especially when splits or names have changed.
5. Mark explicit lyrics and versions correctly
Listen to the final master and choose the explicit setting honestly. Do not guess from an older demo. If you also have a clean version, label each file and title clearly so you do not send the wrong one.
Check whether a track is a cover, remix, instrumental or live recording. Your distributor may ask extra questions or need a licence for some releases. Answer those questions before setting the date. Metadata cannot fix a missing right or permission.
6. Check the date, label and copyright details
Confirm the release date, original release year and record label entry. If you are self-releasing, follow your distributor's guidance for the label field. Check the copyright owner names too. Use the same plan in your calendar, distributor and promo notes.
Leave enough time for delivery and for any corrections. DistroKid says edits can take one to two weeks to show across all services. A future release date gives you room to check the artist page, prepare links and pitch the track.
7. Keep the correct ISRC and UPC
An ISRC identifies one sound recording. If that exact recording already has an ISRC, keep it when moving the song to another distributor. DistroKid says an ISRC should stay with a recording through its life. It can create a new ISRC when a track does not already have one.
A UPC identifies the release as a product, such as a single or album. Some distributors create this code for you. Save both codes in a simple spreadsheet after delivery. Add the song title, version, artist, release date and distributor beside them so you can find the right code later.
8. Do one final screen-by-screen check
Do not review from memory. Put the final artwork, master files and credit sheet beside the upload page. Read every screen from the top. Ask one trusted person to check names and titles. They may spot a mistake that you have stopped seeing.
- Open every artist profile link and confirm it belongs to the right person.
- Compare every title with the artwork and final track list.
- Check primary, featured, remixer and writer roles.
- Confirm explicit tags, versions and language details.
- Check the release date, label and copyright owner.
- Save the ISRC and UPC after the distributor creates or accepts them.
- Take a final screenshot or export of the submitted details.
What if you find a mistake after delivery?
Contact your label or distributor and use its release edit tool if one is available. Spotify says it cannot manually change delivered metadata because it shows the information supplied by the distributor. Avoid deleting and uploading again unless your distributor tells you that it is needed. A re-upload can create more work and may affect links or codes.
Make metadata part of your release plan
Add this music metadata checklist to your release folder and finish it before your promo work starts. Then use The Hubb's four-week music release timeline to plan delivery, pitches and content. A clean artist bio and press kit can use the same approved names, credits and story.
Use The Hubb's 4-week music release timeline
Write a clear artist bio in 7 steps
Official guidance
Spotify music metadata formatting guidelines
Spotify help for fixing music metadata
