Quick Definition
Music metadata is the set of information embedded in a music file or associated with a release that identifies the content. It includes basic details like Artist Name and Song Title, as well as complex identifiers like ISRC, UPC, and songwriter credits.
Music Metadata Explained
Metadata is the DNA of the music industry. In the digital age, a song file without metadata is just anonymous noise. Platforms need metadata to display the correct song title, attribute it to the right artist, place it in the correct genre, and—most importantly—pay the right people.
There are two main types: descriptive metadata (genre, mood, bio) which aids discovery, and rights ownership metadata (songwriters, splits, publishers) which ensures payment.
Why Metadata Matters
Bad metadata is the #1 cause of lost royalties ("black box royalties"). If a Songwriter field is misspelled or missing, the PRO cannot match the stream to the owner. Descriptive metadata also drives algorithms; if you tag your track as "Pop" when it is "Death Metal," it will be served to the wrong listeners and skipped.
Examples
Key metadata fields include: Track Title, Artist Name, Album Name, Release Date, ISRC (recording ID), ISWC (composition ID), UPC (product ID), Genre, Contributors (Producers, Engineers).
How to Manage Metadata
Enter your metadata carefully when uploading to your distributor. Double-check spelling. Ensure every contributor is credited. Use a consistent artist name across all releases.
Related Terms
See also: ISRC, UPC, Split Sheet, Black Box Royalties.
Clean Data with Soundcharts
Soundcharts aggregates data from thousands of sources. Checking your artist profile on Soundcharts is a great way to audit your public metadata and spot inconsistencies across platforms.