October 09th 2025

Why Metadata Matters: A Guide for Music Artists

By Dr Sabine Jacques, IP and AI Policy Lead at MusicFutures

When you create music, your first instinct is to perfect the sound — the melodies, harmonies, and lyrics that express your vision. But behind every track lies another crucial layer that can determine whether your music gets heard, recognised, and paid for: metadata.

What is Metadata?

Think of metadata as your music’s passport. It’s the digital information embedded in an audio file that tells the world exactly what it is, who made it, and how it should be credited. Typical metadata includes:

  • Track title
  • Artist and featured artists
  • Cover art
  • Release date
  • Genre
  • Composer and publisher details
  • Splits
  • Ownership information (both composition elements and the recording)
  • Recommendation (mood, genre, similarity and other discovery metadata)

This information travels with your track across streaming platforms, radio, digital stores, and licensing databases, ensuring that the right people know who you are and that royalties reach you.

Why Do Artists Need Metadata?

Without metadata, your track is like a song without a name, invisible to the systems that manage music in today’s digital economy. Metadata helps you:

  • Identifies who did what: Through a series of codes recognising this chain of creative contributions
  • Get Paid Properly: Royalties rely on accurate credits. Missing or incorrect data means money can go unclaimed or, worse, paid to someone else.
  • Be Discovered: Streaming platforms and search tools rely on metadata to recommend your music to new listeners.
  • Protect Your Rights: Metadata proves ownership and ensures your creative contribution is visible in an industry where rights disputes are common.
  • Build Professional Credibility: Well-managed metadata signals to labels, managers, and collaborators that you take your career seriously.

The Repercussions of Missing Metadata

Artists often underestimate the risks of skipping this step. Incomplete or inconsistent metadata can lead to:

  • Lost Royalties: Millions of pounds sit in “black box” funds each year because songs can’t be matched to their rightful owners.
  • Missed Opportunities: Supervisors and curators can’t license your track for film, games, or playlists if they can’t identify the rights holder.
  • Industry Frustration: Distributors, publishers, and PROs (performing rights organisations) may struggle to process your work, creating delays in payment.

In short: if your metadata is wrong, your music’s potential is limited, no matter how brilliant the track itself is.

How to Get Metadata Right

The good news is, implementing metadata doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are my top tips:

  1. Be Consistent: Always use the same spelling, format, and order for your name and credits. Small differences cause big problems in databases.
  2. Use Standard Codes: Obtain an IPN (International Performer Number) or ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) to identify the creators of the lyrics and music. Register each song with an ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) for the recording and an ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code) for the composition. If you release music under a pseudonym, remember that you’ll need a separate IPN for each alias, linking it back to your legal name. These unique identifiers are crucial for tracking and managing your music’s usage worldwide. If you’re a performer, make sure to get an IPN.
  3. Embed Metadata Early: Add information at the point of creation or final mixdown. Don’t wait until after release.
  4. Register with Collection Societies: Make sure your work is logged with Sentric, PRS for Music, PPL, and any relevant international societies.
  5. Keep Records Up to Date: If you add a collaborator, remix, or new version, update the metadata immediately. Review your metadata in your member portal with your CMO periodically.

Final Thought

While metadata may not carry the same excitement as composing or performing, it plays a critical role in managing and protecting your music. It underpins audience growth, royalty collection, and career longevity. Keep track of who has your music and where it’s being distributed.

At MusicFutures, we’re committed to helping artists build sustainable futures. Metadata is a foundational part of that journey. For additional resources see: