Thinking about leaving DistroKid and moving your music to RouteNote?

Switching music distributors can feel complicated, especially if your songs have already accumulated Spotify streams, playlist placements and listeners.

But changing distributors doesn’t necessarily mean starting over.

Spotify has a system called track-linking, which can recognise an existing recording when it’s delivered by a new distributor.

That means it’s often possible to move your catalogue while retaining your existing play counts.

Here’s how to transfer music from DistroKid to RouteNote, step by step.

Can you transfer music from DistroKid to RouteNote?

Yes.

RouteNote supports artists transferring existing releases from DistroKid and other music distributors.

The important thing is making sure your new upload accurately matches the original recording.

You should prepare your music and metadata carefully, allow enough time for processing and confirm that the new delivery has been recognised by streaming services before removing the old one.

Track-linking is handled by individual streaming platforms, so it cannot be guaranteed.

Step 1: Back up your DistroKid catalogue

Before changing anything, make a complete backup of your existing releases.

Ideally, save:

• Original audio master files.
• Album artwork.
• Track titles and version information.
• Artist names and featured artists.
• Original release dates.
• ISRC and UPC codes.
• Songwriter and producer credits.
• Spotify and Apple Music release links.
• Existing streaming statistics.
• Relevant copyright and licensing documents.

If you manage several artists or a large catalogue, create a spreadsheet containing this information.

Having an organised catalogue makes the transfer process easier and helps you identify any missing information before submitting your releases.

Step 2: Find your DistroKid ISRC codes

An ISRC, or International Standard Recording Code, identifies an individual sound recording.

It is one of the most important pieces of information when transferring music between distributors.

To find your ISRC in DistroKid:

1. Log into your DistroKid account.
2. Open the release you want to transfer.
3. Find the ISRC associated with each track.
4. Copy the codes into your catalogue spreadsheet.

Use the same ISRC when redistributing the exact same recording.

Do not generate a new ISRC for an unchanged master if your goal is to maintain its existing identity.

Step 3: Find your UPC codes

A UPC identifies the release rather than an individual recording.

DistroKid displays the UPC on the relevant release page in the dashboard.

RouteNote’s migration guidance recommends using your existing ISRCs and UPCs when transferring releases.

Preserve the original information and follow RouteNote’s upload guidance for entering it.

Bear in mind that a UPC and an ISRC serve different purposes. Spotify’s track-linking process primarily depends on the identity of the recording and consistent metadata.

Step 4: Check your audio and metadata

Using the original audio recording is essential.

Avoid uploading a different master, remastered version, alternative mix or edited recording unless you actually intend to release a new version.

Keep the following information consistent:

• Track title.
• Primary artist name.
• Featured artists.
• Version title.
• Track duration.
• ISRC.
• Original audio.
• Album and release information.
• Artwork, wherever possible.

The closer the new delivery matches the original, the better the chance of successful track-linking.

Step 5: Create your free RouteNote account

Visit RouteNote and create an account.

Once registered, you can begin preparing your releases for distribution.

RouteNote offers Free and Premium distribution.

Free Distribution has no upfront or annual distribution fee. Artists retain 85% of the revenue generated by their releases.

Premium Distribution involves upfront and annual fees, allowing artists to retain 100% of streaming and download revenue.

Choose whichever model best suits your catalogue.

Step 6: Upload your existing music to RouteNote

Create a release and enter the original release details.

Upload your audio and artwork, then enter your existing track information and recording identifiers.

Select the stores where you want the recording to be available.

Double-check everything before submitting.

A small metadata inconsistency can cause complications when streaming platforms attempt to match two deliveries of the same recording.

Your music will need to pass RouteNote’s moderation checks before being distributed to streaming services.

You can check the current approval and distribution timelines on RouteNote’s Support Hub.

Allow enough time for both moderation and subsequent store processing.

Step 7: Keep your existing DistroKid release live during the transfer

For a normal, authorised catalogue migration, don’t immediately delete your existing DistroKid releases.

RouteNote recommends delivering the replacement through RouteNote first.

Once both deliveries are available, streaming services may recognise that they represent the same recording.

A temporary overlap can help avoid gaps in availability, but you should not maintain conflicting duplicate deliveries indefinitely.

This advice applies to ordinary catalogue transfers. If the original music was removed for copyright infringement or another enforcement reason, resolve that issue before attempting another upload.

Step 8: Check whether Spotify has linked your tracks

Once the RouteNote delivery appears on Spotify, check whether it has been linked to your existing recording.

Spotify recommends comparing the play counts associated with the old and replacement recordings.

If the counts match, that is a useful indication of successful track-linking.

Spotify explains this in its official re-uploading music guidance.

RouteNote advises allowing approximately three to five business days for stores to link matching recordings after delivery.

This is a guideline rather than a guaranteed timeframe.

Check your important playlist placements and artist profile as well.

Step 9: Request the removal of your old DistroKid delivery

Once you’ve verified that the replacement delivery is available and has linked appropriately, you can contact DistroKid to arrange removal of the previous delivery.

This helps avoid leaving conflicting versions of the same music online.

Make sure you are removing the correct delivery and not the replacement now distributed through RouteNote.

For larger catalogues, consider transferring releases in batches rather than moving everything simultaneously.

That gives you an opportunity to identify any unexpected issues before proceeding with the rest of your music.

Step 10: Check your royalties and streaming data

After the transfer, review your reports from both distributors.

Royalties generated before the change may continue to be reported and paid through DistroKid, according to the relevant reporting cycles and agreements.

New earnings from the replacement delivery should be reported through RouteNote once the stores begin accounting for the new distribution.

Keep copies of your old earnings reports and check that there are no unexpected gaps.

What if DistroKid has already removed my music?

If your music has already disappeared, a standard overlapping transfer may no longer be possible.

First establish why it was removed.

If the issue was a subscription lapse, you may be able to restore the existing DistroKid delivery by resolving the billing issue.

If the removal resulted from a copyright complaint, artificial streaming or another platform restriction, investigate and resolve the underlying issue before attempting redistribution.

Where you have the necessary rights and the stores permit a new delivery, using the original audio and identifiers may help with track recognition.

However, restoring streams and playlist positions cannot be guaranteed once the old delivery is unavailable.

Will you lose your Spotify streams when switching from DistroKid?

Not necessarily.

Spotify’s track-linking system allows different deliveries of the same recording to share play counts when successfully matched.

To give yourself the best chance:

• Use the same ISRC.
• Upload the same audio recording.
• Keep titles and artist information consistent.
• Avoid unnecessarily removing the original delivery before the replacement appears.
• Check that track-linking has happened before completing the transfer.

Remember that Spotify controls track-linking, not the distributor.

Can you keep your Spotify playlists?

Potentially.

If Spotify successfully links the new recording to the existing one, playlist associations may be preserved.

However, individual playlist placements cannot be guaranteed.

For important releases, verify the result rather than assuming everything has transferred automatically.

Can you transfer cover songs from DistroKid to RouteNote?

Potentially, provided you have the necessary rights.

Be careful with any licences previously arranged through DistroKid.

Do not assume that a licence or service-specific arrangement automatically transfers to another distributor.

Check the rights and licensing requirements before re-uploading your cover recordings.

How long does it take to transfer DistroKid music to RouteNote?

There is no universal transfer time.

The overall process includes preparation, RouteNote moderation, delivery to streaming services and track-linking.

These stages take different amounts of time.

RouteNote publishes its current moderation estimates through its Support Hub, so review those figures before you schedule a transfer or cancel an existing subscription.

Allow additional time for store ingestion and matching.

Why transfer to RouteNote?

RouteNote gives independent artists another way to manage their music distribution.

With RouteNote Free, you can distribute music without an upfront or annual distribution fee, while retaining 85% of your revenue.

RouteNote Premium provides a paid alternative for artists who want to retain 100% of their streaming and download revenue.

Both options allow artists to retain ownership of their music.

Ready to move your catalogue?

Switching distributors should be a carefully planned process, particularly when your music already has listeners, streams and playlist placements.

Start by collecting your original masters, ISRCs, UPCs and release metadata.

Then prepare your new delivery, allow time for moderation and check that your music has been linked correctly before completing the move.

Create your RouteNote account and start planning your catalogue transfer today.