Compilations and 'Various Artists': When to Use It and How to Credit Tracks
Updated 2026-10-21 · 2 sources
Short answer
Use Various Artists as the album-level artist only when there are many main artists: four or more on Spotify, five or more Primary artists on Apple. On Apple it must be the only album artist; on both it's never used at track level and never abbreviated (no "V/A", "V.A." or "Various"). Every track still lists its real artists, and a compilation should be delivered as type Compilation.
The thresholds
- Spotify: four or more main artists and remixers on the product means "Various Artists" at product level, with exceptions for remix products by fewer than four remixers and for artists who appear on every track [1].
- Apple: five or more Primary artists means Various Artists at album level, and it must be the only Primary artist [2].
- Both: never a track-level artist, and never abbreviated or varied [1] [2].
- Apple: scores and musicals don't use Various Artists; the composer and lyricist are album-level Primary [2].
Compilations, splits and DJ mixes
- Spotify: releases of tracks from various artists, or mostly previously released tracks, are specified as Compilation [1].
- Spotify: split releases with three or fewer main artists list each separately, with only the correct artist on each track [1].
- Apple: DJ mix albums list the DJ as Primary at album level, use the version "DJ Mix", and mark mixed tracks "[Mixed]" [2].
- Apple hides near-identical compilations as Repeated Submissions [2].
Examples
| Instead of | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Album artist: V/A | Album artist: Various Artists | No abbreviations. |
| Album artist: Various Artists, Nova Reyes | Album artist: Various Artists | Must be the only album artist (Apple). |
| Track artist: Various Artists | Track artist: the real performer | Never at track level. |
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FAQ
Can I translate 'Various Artists'?
Apple accepts translated versions that are consistent with the content's language.
What about a compilation of my own previously released singles?
Spotify treats products made mainly of previously released tracks as compilations. Keep your own name as the album artist and reuse the original ISRCs.
Related guides
Sources
Platform rules change. Each rule above is attributed to the company or standard that published it, as checked on 2026-10-21. This guide is not legal advice.