ISRC and UPC Codes Explained for Independent Artists
- 31 10月 2026
- 22 次观看
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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如何发布我的音乐？
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01
在SpaceMedia上注册
通过注册并在SpaceMedia上创建免费账户，开始您的音乐发布之旅。
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02
选择最适合您的计划
选择多种会员选项中最符合您音乐分发需求的那一个。
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03
提交您的音乐以进行分发
创建新的发布并上传您的音轨，以便在各种平台上分发。
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04
快速审核
我们的团队会在分发之前迅速评估您上传的音轨，确保它们符合我们的质量标准。
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获取报酬
一旦您的音乐被分发并开始受到关注，我们会及时为您的创作工作进行报酬支付。
SpaceMedia 将音乐投放到广泛且不断变化的流媒体、下载、社交与音乐识别平台网络中，可能包括 Spotify、Apple Music、iTunes、YouTube Music、Amazon Music、Deezer、TikTok、Facebook 与 Instagram、SoundCloud、Tidal、Pandora、Boomplay、Anghami、iHeart、JioSaavn、KKBOX、网易云音乐、腾讯音乐等及其他受支持的合作伙伴。
具体网络可能会随着平台更新地区、规则与投放要求而变动。SpaceMedia 为你提供受支持的分发通道，但没有发行商能保证每个平台在每个国家都接受每个发行。
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.
在你的计划包含时，可以通过 Content ID 在受支持的视频平台对符合条件的音乐实现货币化。Content ID 目前随 Premium 与 Unlimited 计划提供，不包含 Free 计划。
仅提交你完全拥有控制权的音乐用于 Content ID。含有未获授权样本、非独占节拍、供众多创作者使用的免版税循环、公有领域的录音，或存在争议的版权，可能被拒绝或引发需要解决的索赔。
通过 SpaceMedia 提交发行，并在可用时选择分发到社交音乐平台。符合条件的发行可投放到如 TikTok、Facebook、Instagram 以及其他受支持的社交或短视频音乐服务平台。
发行后，各个平台决定音乐的呈现方式、处理时长以及各自地区可用的功能。请使用准确的元数据和干净音质，以减少可避免的投放问题。
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.
是的。在许多情况下，您可以将现有发行转移到 SpaceMedia 并保持上线，只要在可用时提交相同的元数据、音频、封面、UPC 和 ISRC（如有）即可。
在 SpaceMedia 发货上线并正确匹配前，保持旧版本上线。过早移除旧版本可能中断上架，或让商店将转移视为新发行而非与现有版本匹配。
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