Release setup

Release & Metadata Checklist

A practical release-prep walkthrough for artist names, song titles, credits, identifiers, artwork, lyrics, explicit tags, and delivery timing in United States of America.

Territory United States of America Time 15–25 min Level Beginner friendly Audience Artists, managers, producers, labels
What you should leave with

Leave with one clean metadata sheet you can copy into your distributor, label portal, PRO/CMO registrations, press kit, and campaign notes.

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What this guide is for

Metadata is the instruction sheet for a release. It tells stores, streaming services, societies, labels, publishers, and search systems exactly what the release is and who should be credited. The goal is not to sound fancy. The goal is to be consistent everywhere before the song goes live.

Goal Leave with one clean metadata sheet you can copy into your distributor, label portal, PRO/CMO registrations, press kit, and campaign notes.
Level Beginner friendly
Best for Artists, managers, producers, labels
Territory United States of America
Before you start

Gather these pieces first

Assets Final audio files, artwork, lyrics, clean/explicit notes, and the preferred release date.
People Every artist, featured artist, writer, producer, performer, engineer, publisher, label, and master owner.
Identifiers ISRCs for recordings and a UPC/EAN for the release when your distributor or label assigns one.
Context

Why this matters

Fewer corrections Fixing names, credits, and explicit tags before delivery is usually faster than correcting a release after every platform has received it.
Cleaner royalty matching Consistent writers, publishers, ISRCs, UPCs, and release titles make it easier for royalty systems to match usage back to the right work.
Better fan discovery Accurate titles, versions, artist names, and artwork help fans recognize the release and reduce duplicate or mismatched artist pages.
Walkthrough

Do this in order

Step 1

Create one master metadata sheet

Open a simple document or spreadsheet and write the release title, track titles, artist names, featured artists, writers, producers, publishers, master owner, label, genre, language, release date, explicit status, ISRCs, and UPC/EAN.

Tip: Use this sheet as the source of truth. Do not type the same information from memory in five different places.
Step 2

Lock spelling, capitalization, and artist order

Decide exactly how names and titles should appear. Check punctuation, accents, stylized capitalization, featured artist order, remix wording, live/acoustic/version labels, and clean versus explicit versions.

Tip: Avoid adding marketing language such as “viral,” “hit,” “official,” or “playlist version” unless it is an actual approved version title.
Step 3

Confirm splits before upload

Document songwriter shares, publisher information, master ownership, producer points, label details, and contact information. Make sure the numbers add up and every contributor understands their role.

Tip: A release can look perfect publicly and still create problems if the ownership notes are missing.
Step 4

Check identifiers and version rules

Use one ISRC per recording and one UPC/EAN per release when assigned. Do not reuse an old ISRC for a new recording. Do not assign a new ISRC to the exact same recording unless your distributor or rights team tells you to.

Tip: Remasters, edits, live versions, alternate mixes, and clean versions may need different treatment. Confirm before delivery.
Step 5

Review artwork, lyrics, and content labels

Check artwork size and quality, spelling on the cover, explicit labels, lyric language, genre, release date, copyright line, phonographic copyright line, and whether the art includes platform logos or misleading claims.

Tip: Artwork and explicit-tag issues are common reasons releases get delayed.
Step 6

Build in correction time

Submit early enough for distributor review, store delivery, editorial pitching, pre-save or pre-add setup, and corrections. If the song is important, avoid uploading at the last minute.

Tip: For United States of America, also confirm any local society, copyright, neighboring-rights, or identifier requirements before release day.
Final check

Checklist and red flags

Use this list Do this

  • Final release title and track titles match the artwork and audio files.
  • Artist, featured artist, producer, writer, publisher, label, and master-owner names are spelled consistently.
  • Songwriter splits, master splits, producer points, and contributor contacts are saved in writing.
  • Each recording has the correct ISRC and the release has a UPC/EAN when assigned.
  • Explicit/clean status, language, genre, lyrics, copyright line, and release date are checked.
  • A backup copy of the final metadata sheet is stored with the release assets.

Watch for Avoid this

  • Do not upload before collaborators approve names, credits, and splits.
  • Do not change artist-name formatting from release to release unless it is intentional.
  • Do not put advertising phrases, playlist claims, or fake search terms in titles or artist names.
  • Do not assume requirements in United States of America are identical to another country; verify local rules when money or rights are involved.
Territory note

United States of America

For United States of America, use the directory on this page to confirm the correct copyright, songwriter, neighboring-rights, ISRC, and royalty organizations. This guide explains the workflow; local requirements can still vary.

Source links

Official references

Music Coast keeps the walkthrough readable. Use these official references when you need the source documentation, platform rules, or current policy details.

Spotify for Artists metadata guidelines → Apple Music Style Guide → IFPI ISRC agency contacts →