As of March 2024, Amazon Music has updated its metadata requirements for tracks distributed on its platform, emphasising the need for accuracy and quality in metadata, visuals, and audio files.
Please bear in mind, Identity Music is here to help you meet music platforms metadata requirements, if you have any questions please jump on our live chat, we would be more than happy to chat with you.
Duplicate Album Artwork:
Amazon Music will no longer accept identical album artwork for multiple releases, especially in cases of various artist compilations. Each track and the album itself must have distinct artwork.
Example: If you distribute an various artist album; as well as the 7 album tracks independently on each artist's own profile, you would need to provide different artworks for each of the 7 tracks and the album.
Altered Versions of Content:
Any sped-up, slowed-down, or modified versions of existing content will not be accepted unless the artists holds the rights to the original material.
You would need to own the copyright for the original material if you plan to distribute a sped up / slowed down version. We cannot distribute versions like this if your release is a cover or a remix.
Generic Artist Names:
Amazon Music will no longer permit generic artist names such as “sleep sounds”, “top hits”, “relaxing jazz”, “white noise”, “Christmas”, “hip-hop”, “meditation music”.
If you currently have a generic artist name, Identity Music can assist you with getting this changed.
Misleading Sound-Alikes/Cover Versions:
Cover versions, tributes, or sound-alikes that may confuse or mislead customers will not be accepted on the platform.
Amazon Music have the final say on whether they believe customers may find the content misleading. The best way to avoid this is to keep your tracks unique.
Like most music platforms, advertising within metadata, including visuals supporting releases is not accepted. Metadata must be devoid of search terms, keywords, URLs, logos, or any promotional information. Artists must also ensure that their metadata does not contain any illegal content for the territories they serve. These stringent requirements aim to uphold the integrity and quality of content on the platform.
Identity Music will continue to check your tracks prior to distribution, we will contact you via email if there is any metadata issues found with your release.
If you have any issues, please jump on our live chat. We will be more than happy to work with you to get your publishing dashboard set up.
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