What Is Metadata In Music & Why You Should Care

What is metadata?

To put it simply, metadata is the information about your songs. This includes things like your name, the name of the song, date of release etc. Your name or song might have a unique spelling because you want to set yourself apart, this is where metadata becomes important

Metadata can be categorised into 2 main categories:

• Descriptive Metadata
• Ownership/Performing Rights

Descriptive Metadata

This is the basic information about your release. It is important to have these details because streaming platforms use these details to inform their algorithm to make playlisting decisions. This also assists with the necessary information needed to license your music. You wouldn't want to miss out on such an opportunity because you missing or incorrect metadata. 

• song title
• release date
• track number
• performing artist
• cover art
• main genre, etc.
• BPM
• Key
• ISRC Code

Ownership/Performing Rights Metadata

This metadata is extremely crucial when it comes to paying out royalties. All parties that are involved in a recording need to be included in the metadata. This also allows lyricists, performers, producers and anyone else involved to be given their credit. There may be opportunities waiting for you because someone like how the song is written or produced.