The Impact of Incorrect Metadata
Metadata errors are one of the most common causes of distribution delays and release issues. Depending on the type of error, the consequences can range from minor display issues to significant royalty problems.
Common Problems Caused by Incorrect Metadata
- Delayed distribution — platforms may reject releases with metadata that does not meet their guidelines, requiring resubmission
- Wrong artist profile placement — a misspelled or inconsistent artist name can cause your music to appear under a different artist profile
- Incorrect credits — missing or wrong featured artist names mean collaborators may not receive the streaming credit they are entitled to
- Royalty misattribution — if the registered songwriter or composer name does not match what was submitted to your PRO, royalties from performance rights may not be correctly attributed
- Streaming catalogue fragmentation — inconsistent artist names across releases split your discography across multiple profiles, reducing your visibility and algorithmic reach
What to Do If You Notice an Error
Before Submission
If you have not yet submitted the release, you can correct the metadata directly in the dashboard before clicking Submit. Review all fields carefully, including track titles, artist names, ISRC codes, genre, and release date.
After Submission (Before Release)
If your release has been submitted but not yet delivered to platforms, contact InterSpace Distribution support immediately at support@interspacemusic.com or via the Help Center. In many cases, corrections can still be made before delivery.
After Release (Already Live)
Once a release is live, corrections depend on what needs to change:
- Minor text corrections (e.g., capitalisation, spacing) — can often be requested and updated via the dashboard or support team
- Track title changes — some platforms allow updates; others treat the corrected version as a new release
- Artist name changes — may require a takedown and re-delivery in some cases
Note that platforms handle metadata updates on their own schedules — changes are not always immediate.
Prevention Is Always Better
The best way to avoid metadata issues is to review your release submission carefully before clicking submit. Once music is delivered to platforms, corrections take additional time and are not always guaranteed.