Stores like Spotify and Apple Music have strict guidelines for metadata, audio, and artwork. If you don't follow these rules, your release may be rejected and delayed.

To speed up approval, avoid these common mistakes:

Artwork

• Use Original Artwork: Only use artwork you own or have rights to. If using copyrighted images, provide documentation.
• Keep Artwork Appropriate: Don't submit artwork with nudity, excessive violence, or blurry images.
• Avoid Generic Artwork: Generic images (like plain or single-color covers) may be rejected. Personalize your artwork.
• Match Text to Metadata: Any text on your artwork must match your release info (artist, title, label, etc.).
• Don't Be Misleading: Avoid artwork that imitates famous covers or pop culture, which could confuse listeners.

For more details, see our artwork guidelines here.

Audio

• Distribute Only What You Own: Only submit content you have full rights to (no unofficial remixes or uncleared samples).
• Provide Licensing: Even royalty-free samples or third-party beats need proper documentation.
• If your release contains covers or music you don't exclusively own, it may not be eligible for services like YouTube Content ID, TikTok, or Meta. Learn more about Digital Rights Management here.

Metadata

• Spell Artist Names Correctly: Match your artist name to what's on Spotify/Apple to avoid misplacement.
• Don't Add Main Artists to Titles: Only list contributors in the proper field, not in track or release titles.
• Add Contributors Individually: List each artist separately to prevent incorrect artist page assignments.
• Flag Explicit Content: Mark tracks as explicit if they contain profanity or drug references.
• No Misleading Metadata: Don't use popular artist/song names or generic SEO terms in your metadata.
• Use Legal Composer Names: Enter full legal names (no initials) for composers.
• No Social Handles: Don't include social media handles in artist names or album metadata.