Did you know you could lose royalties if your songs aren’t correctly registered?

 

Music metadata is the key to making sure your music is properly identified, reaches more platforms, and most importantly, you get paid fairly every time your music is used.

In this guide, we’ll explain step by step what metadata is, why it’s so important, and how you can manage it like a pro to take your music career to the next level.

 

What is Music Metadata?

Music metadata is the information that describes and accompanies a musical work or recording.
It includes details such as:

• Song title
• Artists, composers, and producers
• Identification codes like ISRC, ISWC, IPI, and others
• Record label and publisher information

In simple terms, metadata is your music’s digital fingerprint.
If it’s incomplete or incorrect, your songs could lose visibility on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, and you might miss out on royalties that belong to you.

 

Why Metadata is Crucial for Collecting Royalties

Having accurate metadata ensures that every time your music is streamed, played on the radio, TV, or social media, the money is tracked and paid to you.
Here are the key players that depend on metadata to identify songs and distribute royalties:

• CMOs for copyright, for songwriters and publishers
• CMOs for neighboring rights, for performers, musicians, and master owners
• Digital distributors, who deliver your music to platforms like Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Music
• Music publishers and record labels, who often report directly to streaming platforms and social media for direct payments

Important note: Without complete metadata, even if you have thousands of streams, you could end up earning nothing.

 

The Essential Music Codes You Must Know

These are the most important identification codes every musician must understand to protect their work and ensure they collect all royalties correctly.

 

1. IPI / CAE (Interested Party Information / Composer, Author, Publisher)

A unique identifier for songwriters and publishers, received when you register with a copyright collective management organization (CMO).
It includes important legal information such as name, address, and contact details.

 

2. ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code)

An international code that identifies musical works, not recordings.
It includes:

• The original and alternative titles of the song
• IPI/CAE numbers of songwriters and publishers
• Percentage splits of ownership
  It’s created when you register your work for the first time with your local CMO.

 

3. IPN (International Performer Number)

A unique identifier for performers and musicians, issued by a neighboring rights CMO.
It ensures you receive royalties for your performances.

 

4. ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)

A unique code for audio and video recordings, provided by the IFPI or your digital distributor.
It’s essential for tracking and collecting streaming royalties.

 

5. UPC / EAN (Universal Product Code / European Article Number)

A barcode used to identify physical or digital albums.
It’s assigned by your digital distributor or a physical disc manufacturer.

 

How to Use Metadata to Grow Your Music Career

If you’re an emerging artist, follow these steps to make sure your metadata is complete and ready to generate royalties:

1. Register your songs with a collective management organization, PRO or CMO
2. Get your essential codes, IPI, ISWC, and ISRC
3. Release your music on streaming platforms through a reliable digital distributor like Sepulchral Silence
4. Work with a music publisher like Sepulchral Silence to optimize royalty collection worldwide
5. Keep an organized spreadsheet with all your codes and information for each song

Pro Tip: When you work with a distributor and publisher like Sepulchral Silence, you centralize metadata management and maximize your earnings.

 

Conclusion: Metadata is Your Key to Music Industry Success

Mastering music metadata isn’t optional, it’s essential if you want to get paid fairly and professionalize your career.
Accurate metadata ensures your music is recognized, protected, and monetized across all platforms.

At Sepulchral Silence, we help artists distribute their music worldwide and collect publishing royalties, making sure your metadata is always correct and optimized to generate revenue.

 

Grow Your Career with Sepulchral Silence

Don’t let missing or incorrect metadata cost you money and opportunities.
With our distribution and publishing services, we handle the technical details so you can focus on creating music.