What Metadata Do I Need Before Uploading Music to Spotify/Apple Music?

The ultimate pre-release checklist for Indian artists, labels, and publishers.

Before your song hits Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, or YouTube Music, there’s one thing that decides whether your music is discoverable, credited, and paid for — your metadata.

Metadata is the detailed information embedded in your track that tells streaming platforms, royalty collection societies, and licensing bodies exactly who you are, what the track is, and how you should be paid.

Essential Metadata Fields Before Uploading

1.Song Title – Exact title, with correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

2.Artist Name(s) – Main artist, featured artists, and correct order.

3.Composer(s) & Lyricist(s) – Full legal names for publishing and royalty credit.

4.ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) – Unique ID for each recording version. (ISRC Registration India)

5.ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) – Unique ID for the composition itself.

6.Release Date – The date your song goes live.

7.Genre & Sub-Genre – Helps DSP algorithms recommend your track.

8.Language of Lyrics – Important for search and categorisation.

9.Publisher & Rights Holder Details – Who owns the composition and master rights. (Music Publishing Administration India)

10.Cover Artwork – High-resolution, properly formatted image (usually 3000x3000px).

Why It Matters

How MRM India Helps

We specialise in Music Metadata Management in India — ensuring every release is properly tagged, registered, and matched across all DSPs and PROs. From Royalty Management to global publishing administration, we make sure no play goes unpaid.

Pro Tip: Prepare your metadata before you even hit “upload” to avoid costly delays or corrections after release.