When you release your music on Spotify, Apple Music, or JioSaavn, there is more to think about than just the lyrics, melody, or mixing quality. Behind each hit is a potent and often unseen force: metadata.
For an emerging artist wishing to gain some footing on streaming platforms, understanding music metadata is not just good to know; it is an absolute necessity. Right at Maa Records, we teach every artist about this process from start to finish, so that their music is correctly tagged, discoverable, and properly credited. In this blog, we discuss for new artists what music metadata entails, why it matters, and how to get it right from day one.
🎵What is Music Metadata?
Music metadata includes the information attached to your audio file that tells platforms, listeners, and rights organizations what your song is, who created it, and how it should be categorized.
It includes:
- Song title
- Artist name
- Album name
- Genre
- Language
- ISRC code (International Standard Recording Code)
- Composer, producer, and lyricist details
- Publisher information
- Copyright info
- Release date
- Artwork details
- And much more…
Metadata can be considered the digital identity card of your song. Without it, your music could end up being unsearchable, miscredited, or unpaid.
1. It Helps People Discover Your Music
Have you ever gone searching for a song according to genre, mood, or the name of the artist? That’s the work of metadata. Streaming services utilize it to organize and suggest music. A song with no or incorrect metadata might end up in no playlists or search results or on radio stations where it belongs.
- It Ensures You Get Paid
If your metadata fails to identify your name, the names of your collaborators, writer credits, or even an ISRC code, your song may be generating royalties that are never paid to you. Distributors, performing rights organizations (PROs), and streaming platforms all use metadata to report plays and assign payments to the correct individuals.
At Maa Records, we guarantee that all artists are properly registered and that their metadata is submitted correctly to avoid missing payments.
- It Protects Your Rights
Metadata proves ownership. When someone tries to steal or misuse your song, the metadata helps document your creation of that work. Copyright disputes usually depend on accurate metadata records.
🔎 Key Metadata Terms You Should Know
Important terms every artist should know:
➤ ISRC (International Standard Recording Code)
Twelve characters assigned uniquely to every recording. Used to track sales, streams, and royalties worldwide. Every single version of a song (whether original, remix, live, acoustic) will technically have a separate ISRC.
From Maa Records: The ISRC code is generated and filed for all releases to make sure tracking is done rightly.
UPC (Universal Product Code)
Used to identify albums or albums and collections (not individual songs). Issued upon releasing into online platforms like iTunes or Amazon.
➤ Performer / Main Artist
The name of the person or persons who perform the song.
➤ Composer/Lyricist
The people who wrote the tune and the lyrics. This is relevant to the royalty payout from publishing.
➤ Publisher
The person or company who owns and controls the rights to the composition.
➤ Genre, Sub-genre, Mood
Helps with placing playlists and with search algorithms. Give all that apply, but be as accurate and relevant as possible.
✅ How to Fill Out Metadata Correctly
If you’re releasing your music on your own, your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.) will request that you fill it in. Be very careful about it, then double-check:
Use the official artist name, not Instagram or nicknames
Capitalize titles appropriately: do not put in ALL CAPS or all lowercase
Spell names of contributors correctly
Use full names for lyricists, producers, and composers
Ensure the ISRC code is right for re-uploads or for distribution of the same track
Pro Tip from Maa Records: Keep a spreadsheet that contains the metadata for all your songs so you can remain consistent and organized.
Common Metadata Mistakes to Avoid
Leaving fields blank — Even if the information is optional, its presence may improve discoverability.
Misspelling a name — This can lead to misattribution.
Wrong release date — This will hold your artist and delay the going live of the music, or it would create confusion.
No genre/mood tags — Being subjected to algorithmic playlisting.
Fake or copied credits — This may lead to gig conflicts or even banning by an online platform.
How Maa Records Assists Artists with Metadata Management
At Maa Records, we take care of the metadata submission process so that all our artists are:
Tagged correctly on all platforms
Properly assigned ISRC/UPC
Given fair royalty distribution
Given playlist eligibility and visibility
Given credits to every member of the team involved in the project
We register artists with PROs (such as PRS, BMI, ASCAP) to legally protect the artists in payment of their work.
Real Impact of Good Metadata
When the metadata is right:
Recommended playlists include your music
Fans from all over the globe can search for you
You get paid on time and in a fair amount
Collaborators receive credits duly
Your artist brand grows
Many artists initially signing with Maa Records were able to chart on trending lists and be playlisted internationally — all because of clean, clear, and optimized metadata.
Final Checklist for Artists Before Releasing a Song
ISRC assigned
Checked song and album titles.
Reviewed genre and language.
Checked and added all credits.
Uploaded lyrics (if required).
Applied artwork metadata.
UPC assigned (for albums/EP).
Registered with a PRO
Final Thoughts
Your song might be a masterpiece, but without the right metadata, it could remain undiscovered, uncredited, and unpaid. As a new artist, learning about metadata early in your journey sets you up for long-term success.
At Maa Records, we don’t just help artists record and release — we ensure their music is properly represented and protected across the digital landscape. Whether you’re from Delhi, Mumbai, Birmingham, or London — we’ve got your back, from beat to metadata.