ISRC and UPC Codes Explained for Independent Artists
- 31 Oct 2026
- 18 tampilan
Every song on a streaming platform carries two identifiers behind the scenes: an ISRC for the recording and a UPC for the release it belongs to. They decide how stores match your music, track your streams and pay your royalties. Here is what each code does and how to handle them.
What is an ISRC?
The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a 12-character code that identifies one specific recording. A typical ISRC looks like GB-XXX-26-00001, usually written without the dashes. Each recording gets its own ISRC, and that code stays with the recording wherever it is released.
Platforms use the ISRC to count streams, connect the recording to royalty reports and recognise the same track across different releases. If your single later appears on an EP or album, using the same ISRC keeps its play count and history together.
When you need a new ISRC
- A new song.
- A different version of a song, such as a remix, acoustic version, radio edit, instrumental or sped-up version.
- A remaster that changes the audio.
If the audio is exactly the same, keep the same ISRC, even when the song appears on a new release.
What is a UPC?
The Universal Product Code (UPC) is a 12- or 13-digit barcode number that identifies a whole release: a single, an EP or an album. Stores use it to group the tracks, artwork and release details into one product. Every new release needs its own UPC.
How to get ISRC and UPC codes with SpaceMedia
You do not need to buy codes before you start. When you create a release in SpaceMedia you can leave the ISRC field empty and choose automatic assignment, and you can enable automatic UPC generation for the release. If you already own codes, for example from a previous distributor, enter them instead.
Why reusing codes matters when you switch distributors
If you move a release from another distributor, submit it with the same UPC and ISRCs, plus the same artist name, titles, audio and artwork. This helps stores match the new delivery to the existing release and keep its stream history. Our guide on switching distributors walks through the full process.
Quick checklist
- One ISRC per unique recording, kept for life.
- One UPC per release.
- Never reuse an ISRC for a different version of a song.
- Keep a spreadsheet of your codes, titles and release dates.
Ready to release? Create your free account and SpaceMedia will guide you through the identifiers your release needs.
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Bagaimana cara merilis musik saya?
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Daftar di SpaceMedia
Mulai perjalanan merilis musik dengan mendaftar dan membuat akun gratis di SpaceMedia.
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Pilih paket yang paling sesuai untuk Anda
Pilih dari berbagai opsi keanggotaan untuk menemukan paket yang paling sesuai dengan kebutuhan distribusi musik Anda.
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Kirim musik Anda untuk didistribusikan
Buat rilisan baru dan unggah trek Anda agar dapat didistribusikan ke berbagai platform.
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Peninjauan Cepat
Tim kami segera meninjau trek yang Anda unggah untuk memastikan trek tersebut memenuhi standar kualitas sebelum didistribusikan.
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Terima Bayaran
Setelah musik Anda didistribusikan dan mulai didengarkan, kami akan membayarkan hasil karya Anda tepat waktu.
SpaceMedia menghadirkan musik ke jaringan streaming streaming, unduhan, sosial, dan identifikasi musik yang luas dan terus berubah. Ini dapat mencakup layanan besar seperti Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Facebook dan Instagram, SoundCloud, Tidal, Pandora, Boomplay, Anghami, iHeart, JioSaavn, KKBOX, NetEase Cloud Music, Tencent, Qobuz, dan mitra yang didukung lainnya.
Jaringan yang tepat dapat berubah seiring platform memperbarui wilayah, aturan, dan persyaratan pengiriman. SpaceMedia memberi Anda akses ke saluran distribusi yang didukung, tetapi tidak ada distributor yang dapat menjamin bahwa setiap platform akan menerima setiap rilisan di setiap negara.
Most major streaming services do not let every artist upload music directly. A distributor like SpaceMedia delivers your audio, artwork, metadata, and rights information to supported platforms so your release can appear on services such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, and others.
Create an account, choose the plan that fits your needs, upload the final release files, review the details, and submit. SpaceMedia reviews Free submissions within 5 business days, Premium submissions within 2 business days, and Label submissions within 1 to 2 business days. Store publishing happens afterwards.
Anda dapat memonetisasi musik yang memenuhi syarat di platform video yang didukung melalui Content ID jika paket Anda menyertakannya. Content ID saat ini sudah termasuk dalam Premium dan Unlimited, dan tidak termasuk dalam paket Gratis.
Kirimkan hanya musik yang Anda kendalikan sepenuhnya untuk Content ID. Lagu dengan sampel yang belum dibersihkan, beat non-eksklusif, loop bebas royalti yang digunakan oleh banyak kreator, rekaman domain publik, atau hak yang dipersengketakan dapat ditolak atau menyebabkan klaim yang perlu diselesaikan.
Kirimkan rilisan Anda melalui SpaceMedia dan pilih distribusi ke platform musik sosial jika tersedia. Rilisan yang memenuhi syarat dapat dikirim ke platform seperti TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, dan layanan musik sosial atau musik pendek lainnya yang didukung.
Setelah dikirim, setiap platform menentukan bagaimana musik tampil, berapa lama pemrosesan berlangsung, dan fitur apa saja yang tersedia di setiap wilayah. Gunakan metadata yang akurat dan audio yang bersih untuk mengurangi masalah pengiriman yang dapat dihindari.
Independent music distribution lets artists release music to streaming, download, and social platforms without signing to a traditional record label. You stay in control of your music while using a distributor to deliver it to supported services.
With SpaceMedia, you can manage releases, artist details, earnings, and payout information from your account. All standard plans let users keep 100% of standard DSP royalties.
The Free plan lets artists release music without an upfront distribution fee and keep 100% of standard DSP royalties.
This gives new artists a way to start releasing music before paying for a yearly plan. Premium and Label add more primary-artist capacity and tools. All standard plans include 100% of standard DSP royalties.
Ya. Dalam banyak kasus, Anda dapat mentransfer rilisan yang sudah ada ke SpaceMedia sambil tetap aktif, asalkan Anda mengirimkan metadata, audio, karya seni, UPC, dan ISRCs yang sama jika tersedia.
Biarkan rilisan lama tetap aktif sampai pengiriman SpaceMedia benar-benar aktif dan cocok. Menghapus versi lama terlalu awal dapat mengganggu ketersediaan atau membuat toko memperlakukan transfer sebagai rilisan baru daripada mencocokkannya dengan yang sudah ada.
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