Spotify Metadata Guide: Everything Spotify Asks Your Distributor For

Updated 2026-10-21 · 5 sources

Short answer

Spotify shows your release exactly as delivered and takes fixes only from your label or distributor. Deliver every artist in a separate field with the right role (main, featured, remixer, composer, lyricist, producer) at track and release level, keep names identical across releases, keep artist names out of titles, set explicit as a tag, and set your live date at least 7 days ahead so you can pitch.

Artists and roles

  • List each artist in a separate field and keep spelling, punctuation and abbreviations consistent; no SEO names like "Sleep Music" [1].
  • Set roles at track and release level, including non-performers; don't put artist names in titles [1].
  • List each featured artist separately; artists featured on every track also go at product level [2].
  • Four or more main artists means "Various Artists" at product level, never at track level [2].

Titles and tags

  • No all caps, all lowercase or random casing unless the artist specifies it [2].
  • Explicit and Clean are tags, never title text [1] [2].
  • Cover titles must not reference the original artist [2].

Profiles, spam and AI

  • Music on the wrong profile: use the content mismatch form or your distributor [3].
  • The spam filter targets mass uploads, duplicates, SEO tricks and short tracks [4].
  • AI credits are optional, per role, and added through supporting distributors [5].

Examples

Instead ofUseWhy
Golden Hour ft. Kai Lane (artist: "Nova Reyes feat. Kai Lane")Golden Hour · Main: Nova Reyes · Featured: Kai LaneRoles, not text.

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FAQ

Can I upload straight to Spotify?

Spotify says your metadata is set by your label or distributor before they deliver your music, and fixes come from them too.

Where's the full rulebook?

Spotify publishes metadata guidelines for artists and a more detailed Music Metadata Style Guide (v2.2.0). Both are linked below.

Related guides

Sources

  1. Spotify for Artists: Music metadata guidelines
  2. Spotify Music Metadata Style Guide v2.2.0 (PDF)
  3. Spotify for Artists: Music mixed up with another artist
  4. Spotify Newsroom: Spotify Strengthens AI Protections (Sep 25, 2025, updated)
  5. Spotify for Artists: AI credits on Spotify

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.