The Hidden Cost of Incorrect Music Metadata – and How to Fix It
“Music is art, but metadata makes it business. Without correct metadata, artists lose not just money, but recognition.” – Sherley Singh
Your music is only as valuable as the data behind it.
In today’s digital ecosystem, every stream, download, and performance generates royalties. But for those royalties to reach you, your music needs to be properly identified. That identification happens through metadata – the behind-the-scenes information that tells the world who created the work, who owns it, and how royalties should be paid.
Unfortunately, incorrect metadata is one of the biggest reasons artists lose money and recognition. Let’s break it down.
What Happens When Metadata Is Wrong?
- Lost Royalties
If your song’s ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) or ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) is missing or wrong, royalty systems can’t match usage to your account. The money is collected but not paid to you – instead, it lands in the dreaded “black box.”
2. Delayed Payments
Even small errors – a misspelled name, swapped composer/lyricist credits, or missing splits – can trigger long delays. Sometimes artists wait months, even years, for revenue that should have arrived within weeks.
3. Credit Goes to the Wrong Person
Mis-tagged tracks can accidentally credit someone else with your work. This not only diverts royalties but also undermines your professional reputation.
4. Missed Licensing Opportunities
Film, OTT platforms, and advertisers rely on accurate metadata to license music. If your song can’t be identified or verified quickly, the opportunity simply moves to another artist.
5. Reputation Risk
Incomplete or inconsistent metadata creates confusion between PROs (like IPRS, PRS, ASCAP, BMI) and streaming platforms. Over time, you may be seen as “difficult to administer,” making collaborations harder.
Why Is Metadata So Often Wrong?
- Multiple Uploads: Songs are re-uploaded across platforms with slight variations.
- Human Error: Typos in names, titles, or percentages.
- Lack of Knowledge: Many creators don’t know the difference between publishing metadata and distribution metadata.
- Global Complexity: Different territories use different systems, which can cause mismatches if not standardized.
Solutions – How Artists Can Protect Themselves
Metadata accuracy is not optional – it is the backbone of fair royalty distribution. Here’s what every creator should do:
1. Centralize Your Data
Maintain a master spreadsheet or database with all details: song titles, ISRC, ISWC, composers, lyricists, splits, publishers, release dates. Keep this updated.
2. Use Professional Administration
A publishing administrator ensures your metadata is correctly registered across PROs and DSPs globally. They clean, verify, and reconcile your data so that every stream counts.
3. Fingerprinting & Quality Control
Tools like audio fingerprinting can track your works across platforms, even if titles are changed. This prevents unreported usage.
4. Double-Check Splits Early
Before release, agree on clear splits between collaborators and lock them in writing. Changing metadata later is far harder.
5.Educate Yourself
Understand key codes (ISRC vs ISWC), know your rights, and stay informed about how royalties flow. Awareness is your first protection.
Final Word
Metadata may seem like boring admin work compared to the thrill of creating music. But without it, your creativity won’t translate into income or recognition. Correct metadata means every play, every stream, and every performance brings value back to the creator where it belongs.
After all, music is art – but metadata makes it business.
Sherley Singh
Founder & CEO, Music Rights Management (MRM)