Metadata may not be the most glamorous part of releasing music, but it's one of the most crucial, especially for independent artists and labels. Inaccurate or incomplete data can mean misdirected royalties, delayed statements, and ultimately, lost income. And when it comes to indie releases, every stream counts.

Here are the Top 5 Metadata Mistakes we see—and how to fix them:

1. Missing or Incorrect ISRCs

The issue: ISRCs (International Standard Recording Codes) are the unique identifiers for recordings. Forgetting to assign one, or reusing the same ISRC across different recordings—can cause payout confusion.

Fix it: Ensure every recording has a valid, unique ISRC. Don’t recycle codes from past releases, and double-check that your distributor and licensing partners have the correct one on file.

2. Inconsistent Artist or Writer Names

The issue: “John Smith” vs. “J. Smith” vs. “John A. Smith” might all refer to the same person, but digital platforms and collection societies can’t tell the difference.

Fix it: Standardize name entries across all platforms. Use full legal names for registrations (PROs, MLC, SoundExchange), and keep an internal style guide for credits to prevent variations.

3. Unregistered Compositions

The issue: Your recording might be out there streaming, but if the composition behind it isn’t properly registered, publishing royalties won’t be collected.

Fix it: Register each composition with your PRO and the MLC (in the U.S.) before or immediately upon release. Include all relevant splits, writers, and publishers.

4. Wrong or Missing Splits

The issue: If your metadata doesn’t accurately reflect the correct percentage of ownership, especially among co-writers, disputes and payout delays are almost inevitable.

Fix it: Nail down splits before release. Use split sheets and ensure everyone involved agrees. Then, input the same splits across all registration platforms.

5. Forgetting About Alternate Versions

The issue: Remixes, live versions, and language variants often get released with different metadata, but they're still connected to the original song. If this isn’t tracked properly, royalties can be split or missed entirely.

Fix it: Link all versions to the original composition and maintain clear metadata records for each version. Don’t assume your distributor will do this for you—keep it organized on your end too.

The Bottom Line for Indie Week (and Every Week)

Metadata may seem small, but it carries big weight. Clean, consistent, and complete data ensures that royalties flow to the right places, on time, and without extra work.

As you plan your next release—or review your catalog during Indie Week—take a few minutes to check your metadata. It could be the easiest way to increase revenue without releasing a single new song.

Need a metadata checkup?
Royalty Solutions Corp helps audit, clean, and streamline your metadata. Contact us today for a free quote!