Proper metadata is crucial for ensuring your music is discoverable, properly credited, and efficiently processed by streaming platforms. Follow these guidelines to optimize your release metadata.
Essential Metadata Fields
Release Information
Release Title
- Be concise and accurate
- Avoid unnecessary symbols or excessive capitalization
- Format: "Album Title" or "Single Title"
- For EPs: "EP Title - EP"
Version Information (if applicable)
- Clearly indicate: "Deluxe Edition," "Remix," "Live," etc.
- Format: "Album Title (Deluxe Edition)"
Release Type
- Select the correct type: Single, EP, Album, Compilation, etc.
- This affects how platforms categorize your music
Original Release Date
- For new releases: Your chosen release date
- For re-releases: The original date the music was first released
- Format: YYYY-MM-DD
Genre and Subgenre
- Primary genre: Choose the most accurate main category
- Secondary genre: Add if your music crosses genres
- Be specific but not obscure
Parental Advisory
- Accurately mark explicit content
- Mark individual tracks as explicit when applicable
Track Information
Track Title
- Keep it simple and aligned with how you want it displayed
- Include featured artists in parentheses: "Track Title (feat. Artist Name)"
- For remixes: "Track Title (Artist Name Remix)"
Track Number and Disc Number
- Ensure correct sequencing
- For multi-disc releases, specify disc numbers
ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)
- Unique identifier for each recording
- SeemDistro can generate these for you or you can provide your own
- Once assigned, never change an ISRC
Language
- Language of the vocals (or instrumental)
- Multiple languages should be noted
Artist Information
Primary Artist
- The main performing artist or band
- Ensure consistent spelling across all releases
Featured Artists
- Artists who contributed to specific tracks
- Format: "feat. Artist Name" or "with Artist Name"
Songwriter/Composer Credits
- Full legal names of all songwriters
- Split percentages (if managing royalty splits)
Producer Credits
- Names of producers for each track
- Additional production credits if applicable
Additional Information
Mood
- Helps with playlist categorization
- Select relevant descriptors: Energetic, Mellow, Upbeat, etc.
Lyrics
- Include complete, accurate lyrics for all tracks
- Mark timestamps for synchronized lyrics if available
Copyright Information
- Sound recording copyright: ℗ [Year] [Rights Holder]
- Composition copyright: © [Year] [Rights Holder]
Metadata Best Practices
Consistency is Key
- Use the same artist name formatting across all platforms
- Maintain consistent styling for recurring releases (e.g., series of EPs)
Avoid Special Characters
- Minimize use of symbols like @, #, !, etc.
- Some platforms may reject or alter releases with excessive symbols
Capitalize Properly
- Use standard capitalization (not ALL CAPS or all lowercase)
- Capitalize first letter of each significant word
Be Accurate and Complete
- Fill in all available fields, even optional ones
- Double-check all information before submission
Use Standardized Naming Conventions
- For classical music: "Composer: Composition - Movement"
- For covers: "Song Title (Originally by Original Artist)"
Search Optimization
- Consider how fans might search for your music
- Include relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions
Common Metadata Errors to Avoid
- Misspelled artist names or titles
- Inconsistent artist name formatting
- Missing or incorrect featured artist credits
- Inaccurate genre classification
- Missing songwriter or producer credits
- Incorrect release dates
- Using ALL CAPS for titles or names
- Excessive use of symbols, emojis, or special characters
- Claiming misleading collaborations with prominent artists
Platform-Specific Considerations
Different platforms may display metadata differently. We optimize your submission for each platform's specific requirements, but it's good to be aware of these variations:
- Spotify: Emphasizes featured artists and album artwork
- Apple Music: Detailed composer and lyricist displays
- Amazon Music: Focuses on genre categorization
- YouTube Music: Utilizes descriptions for searchability
By following these guidelines, you'll ensure your music is properly categorized, easily discoverable, and professionally presented across all platforms.