How music metadata boosts reach and royalties
Every artist wants their music to be heard by as many people as possible, and getting the metadata right plays a big part in that.
Music fans remember a solid album title or fun track name, but many don’t realise that it’s music metadata helping their favourite music to be served to them. In fact, lots of artists underestimate the importance of music metadata, or they don’t understand it altogether.
We’ve put together this guide on music metadata, helping you – as an independent artist – to understand the power of metadata and the benefits it brings.
What is music metadata?
Metadata refers to the information embedded in your music files that describes various aspects of your tracks. This includes:
- Song title and artist name: The basic identifiers of your track.
- Album information: Details like album title, release date, and cover art.
- Track duration: The length of the song.
- Genre: The musical category your song fits into.
- Composer and lyricist: Individuals responsible for creating the music and lyrics.
- ISRC (International Standard Recording Code): A unique identifier for each track, crucial for royalty tracking.
- Producer and engineer credits: Information about those who produced and engineered the recording.
- Featured artists: Any guest musicians or vocalists on the track.
- Record label: The company responsible for releasing the music.
Accurate metadata ensures that your music is properly credited and easily discoverable across various platforms.
Why does metadata matter?
While assigning metadata to a music release may seem like a behind-the-scenes formality, there are a number of great benefits that come with it. Inputting metadata is a requirement, but for good reason(s!).
Enhanced discoverability
As Hypebot suggests, think of metadata as the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) for your music. Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music rely on metadata to categorise and recommend music to listeners. If someone remembers a lyric or your artist name, detailed metadata increases the chances they’ll find your song. Without it, your music might remain hidden.
This is especially important for independent artists who are trying to cut through the noise. Without accurate metadata, your music could get buried in the endless stream of new releases.
Improved recommendations
Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music use metadata to suggest music to users. If your track’s metadata aligns with a listener’s preferences, it’s more likely to be recommended. Accurate genre tags and descriptors help algorithms match your music to the right audience. The better your metadata, the better your chance of being included in algorithmic playlists.
Historical and cultural value
Metadata doesn’t just help in the present – it also preserves the story of your music. It tracks when songs were released, who contributed, and what movements they were part of. For future fans, journalists, and historians, it helps paint a clear picture of where your music sits in the broader cultural context.
Accessibility and inclusion
Metadata can also include features that make music more accessible – such as lyrics for closed captions, or descriptive tags for people with visual impairments. Including this info opens your music up to more people and shows consideration for all listeners.
Organisation
Streaming platforms deal with huge music libraries. Metadata keeps these vast collections searchable and organised. Whether users are browsing by album, genre, or year, metadata helps place your song in the right category and ensures it’s presented alongside similar music.
Compensation and royalties
Metadata plays a vital role in getting artists paid. When music is streamed, downloaded, or used in a video, platforms rely on metadata – like your ISRC and contributor credits – to track usage and distribute royalties properly. Mistakes here can mean missed income or uncredited work.
Incorrect metadata can lead to missed royalties. A misspelled artist name or incorrect song title can prevent you from getting paid. Accurate metadata ensures that all contributors receive their fair share.
How to get music metadata right
Getting your metadata right from the start is essential – not just for discoverability, but for making sure you’re paid properly and your music is presented professionally. Fortunately, RouteNote’s upload process makes it easy to input the correct metadata when you distribute your tracks.
Our Support Hub article gives a detailed explanation on how to fill in metadata when you upload a release through RouteNote.
Quick tips for smooth uploads
- Be consistent: Your artist name, song titles and formatting should match your existing releases.
- Avoid filler or spam: Don’t add other artist names, keywords or genres that don’t belong – this can delay or block your release.
- Use proper punctuation: Streaming platforms can reject songs with dodgy formatting.
- Credit everyone: If someone helped create the song, make sure they’re credited – it helps with royalty payments and recognition.
Once you’ve filled everything in, click Save and Continue, then choose Add More Tracks or I’m Finished. You’ll be taken back to your release overview, where Step 2 should be marked as complete. Easy!
Summing up
Metadata might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of making and releasing music, but in reality it plays a big role in your success. From making your songs easier to find, to ensuring you get paid the royalties you deserve, accurate metadata is essential for growing your audience and building a sustainable career.
Taking a few extra minutes during the upload process to double-check your metadata ensures your music lands in the right places, reaches the right listeners, and is correctly credited across all platforms. With RouteNote, we’ve made this process as simple and streamlined as possible – but it’s still up to you to get the details right!
Whether you’re releasing your debut single or building out your catalogue, make metadata a priority. Your future self (and your fans) will thank you for it.