Clean metadata ensures your releases pass DSP quality control, search algorithms locate your tracks, and royalties reach the correct songwriters and producers. Follow these official DSP formatting rules.
Streaming platforms enforce strict DDEX metadata standards. Submissions with improper formatting will be rejected during automated quality checks.
Must use standard Title Case. Do not include release format terms like "(Single)", "(Album)", or "(EP)" in the title. Do not type in ALL CAPS unless officially trademarked.
Distinguish clearly between Primary Artist, Featured Artist, and Remixer. Never append "feat. Artist" directly into the song title field.
Songwriters and lyricists must be credited using real legal first and last names (e.g. "Rahul Sharma", not stage names or DJ tags) for publishing society routing.
If your audio contains strong language, adult themes, or violence, mark it as Explicit. Failing to flag explicit audio can cause permanent removal from storefronts.
Specify the language spoken or sung in the track. For Indian regional releases, accurate language tagging ensures inclusion on curated regional playlists.
© represents the artwork and liner text copyright. ℗ represents the sound recording phonogram master owner. E.g. "℗ 2026 Harmonet Music".
If your cover artwork says "Song Title by Artist A", but your metadata input says "Artist B", DSPs will flag and reject the release immediately.
Never include social media handles (@username), website URLs, streaming logos ("Out Now on Spotify"), or pricing text on your album art.
Using common words like "Music", "Beats", or "Guitar" as your solo artist name creates catalog collisions and artist profile merging issues.
Instrumental releases and ambient tracks still require designated composer credits. Submitting "Unknown" will cause store intake failures.
Harmonet Music's automated QC validates your metadata in real time prior to ingestion.