Metadata
Release Metadata Checker
Validate album or single-track metadata for the format, copyright, and credit errors that get uploads rejected. Runs in your browser.
Release
Genres
Copyright lines
Codes
Dates
Tracks (1)
Track 1
Identity
Audio
Language and content
Genres
Copyright (track ℗)
Codes
Credits
Readiness report
Metadata Checker
Needs attention
27 issues would likely cause a rejection. Fix the errors first.
Release level
Release name required
Enter a release name.
Display artist required
Enter the display artist for the release.
Release format required
Choose a release format: Single, EP, or Album.
Primary genre required
Set a primary genre.
Explicit setting required
Set the explicit status for the release (explicit, clean, or not explicit).
UPC required
Provide a UPC/EAN, or enable auto-generate to have one assigned.
© year required
Add the year to the © line, e.g. '© 2026 Your Name'.
© owner required
Add the rights owner to the © line (your name, your LLC/label, or the publisher).
℗ year required
Add the year of first publication to the ℗ line, e.g. '℗ 2026 Your Name'.
℗ owner required
Add the rights owner to the ℗ line (you, your LLC/label, or the label that owns the master).
Release date required
Set a consumer release date.
Original date required
Set the original release date (same as the consumer date for a brand-new release).
Track has errors
Fix the flagged issues on the listed track(s).
Track 1
Track name required
Enter a track name.
Display artist required
Enter the display artist for the track.
Track too short
Tracks must be at least 30 seconds long.
Genre required
Set a primary genre for the track.
Audio language required
Set the audio/lyrics language. Use ZXX for an instrumental with no vocals.
Language required for vocals
Set the lyrics language for a track with vocals; it must match the language actually sung.
ISRC required
Provide an ISRC, or enable auto-generate. Reusing the identical master? Enter its existing ISRC, do not mint a new one.
Preview start required
Set the preview start time.
Preview length required
Set the preview length.
Contributor required
Add at least one contributor (writer, producer, or performer).
Performer required
Add at least one instrument performer.
AI declaration required
Complete the AI usage declaration for the track.
℗ year required
Add the year of first publication to the track ℗ line, e.g. '℗ 2026 Your Name'.
℗ owner required
Add the rights owner to the track ℗ line.
How to read this
This runs entirely in your browser and never uploads your files. Errors are likely rejections, warnings are risky or off best-practice, and info notes are worth a glance. Artwork and audio file checks need the actual file, so use the Cover Art Compliance Checker for image specs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the ℗ and © copyright lines?+
The ℗ line (circled P) is the copyright in the sound recording, the exact master you upload. The © line (circled C) is the copyright in the underlying song and, at the release level, the artwork. Both take the form symbol, then year of first publication, then owner. If you wrote and recorded everything yourself both usually carry your name. If a label owns the master, the label goes on ℗ and you or your publisher goes on ©.
What is the difference between an ISRC and a UPC?+
An ISRC identifies one recording, so every track gets its own. A UPC identifies a whole release, so the album, EP, or single gets one. A 10-track album has 1 UPC and 10 ISRCs. The checker flags when one looks like it was entered in the other's field.
Does this checker store my files or need an account?+
No. Every check runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded to a server, and there is no signup. Artwork and audio file specs need the actual file, so use the Cover Art Compliance Checker for image dimensions.
Why was my release rejected for metadata?+
The common causes are a missing or wrong-year copyright line, a featured artist left only in the title, a bad ISRC or UPC check digit, a clean tag on a title with profanity, or inconsistent version labels across tracks. The checker surfaces each of these as an error, warning, or note so you can fix them before you upload.