Can Music Be Taken Down Due to Wrong Metadata? Here’s What Every Artist Should Know

Introduction

In today’s digital-first music world, metadata is as important as the song itself. It’s the invisible code that ensures artists, lyricists, and producers are properly credited and paid. But what happens when that metadata is wrong? Can your music actually be removed from streaming platforms?

At MRM, we see this question often from artists and labels navigating the complexities of royalties. The short answer: yes, wrong metadata can lead to takedowns - and lost income.

Why Metadata Matters

Metadata acts like your music’s passport. It contains crucial details such as:

• Song title, ISRC, ISWC

• Artist, lyricist, and composer credits

• Publisher and PRO registration

• Release dates and identifiers

When any of these are missing or incorrect, platforms and collection societies may not recognize your work properly.

The Risk of Wrong Metadata

1. Takedown Requests: Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube can pull down tracks if ownership or credits are disputed.

2. Lost Royalties: Incorrect or missing identifiers mean revenue gets delayed, misdirected, or stuck in the “black box.”

3. Reputation Damage: Disputes around ownership or credits affect trust with fans, collaborators, and partners.

How MRM Protects Artists

At MRM, we’ve built systems to prevent these risks:

• Metadata Audits: We run regular health checks on catalogues.

• Correction Pathways: We work directly with distributors, PROs, and platforms to update wrong data at the source.

• Artist Empowerment: Every creator gets visibility into their metadata, ensuring transparency and control.

Conclusion

Yes, wrong metadata can take your music down. But with the right systems in place, you can avoid these pitfalls. At MRM, we believe that every artist deserves to be seen, credited, and paid - without compromise.