I. Foundations
4. Metadata
Metadata is the set of information that travels with your music file. It tells Digital Service Providers (DSPs), Rights Societies, and listeners exactly what the song is and who owns it. If your metadata is wrong, your royalties will end up in the “Black Box.”
1. The Track Title: Accuracy & Cleanliness
How you name your track affects searchability and legal registration.
Consistency: The title must be identical across your Distributor, your PRO, and your MLC registration. Even a small difference (e.g., “The Song” vs. “The Song – Radio Edit”) can cause a data mismatch.
Formatting: In 2026, DSPs have strict rules. Do not put “Mastered” or “Produced by…” in the title field. Use the specific “Version” field for “Remix,” “Acoustic,” or “Live.”
2. Artist Name(s): Identity & Verification
This field dictates where your music lives on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Primary Artist: The main artist(s) whose profile the song will appear on.
Featuring Artist: Artists who appear on the track but aren’t the primary owners. Note: Adding a “feat.” correctly ensures the song appears on both artists’ profiles.
Artist IDs: Most distributors now allow you to input your Spotify URI or Apple Artist ID. This prevents your music from accidentally appearing on the page of another artist with the same name.
3. Songwriters: Credit & Legal Identity
This is the bridge between the Master (the audio) and the Composition (the IP).
Legal Names Only: Never use stage names or “aliases” in songwriter metadata. Rights societies (SOCAN, ASCAP) require legal names to match their databases.
IPI Number: Every songwriter has a unique 9 or 11-digit IPI (Interested Party Information) number given by their PRO. Including this in your metadata is the most effective way to ensure you get paid.
4. The “Fingerprints”: ISRC vs. ISWC
These are the most critical identifiers in the music industry. They are the “barcodes” for your work.
A. ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)
Identifies: The Sound Recording (the Master).
Assigned by: Your Distributor or Label.
Key Rule: Every version of a song (Original, Remix, Instrumental) needs a new ISRC.
Analogy: The ISRC is the serial number on a specific physical CD or file.
B. ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code)
Identifies: The Musical Work (the Composition/Songwriting).
Assigned by: Your PRO (SOCAN, ASCAP, BMI).
Key Rule: No matter how many remixes or covers exist, they all share the same ISWC because the “song” remains the same.
Analogy: The ISWC is the social security number for the “idea” of the song.
Recap of Metadata
| Data Point | Category | Why it matters |
| ISRC | Master | Tracks streams and radio plays for the recording. |
| ISWC | Composition | Tracks performance and mechanical use of the song. |
| IPI Number | Person | Connects the songwriter’s legal identity to the work. |
| UPC | Product | The “barcode” for the entire album or single release. |