ISRCs (Fingerprints for your music) 🔍

When it comes to tracking down a perp, law enforcement will search databases full of fingerprints to help narrow down the suspects. This same process goes into collecting analytics for your music release but instead of handing out jail time, Spotify, iTunes and other streaming platforms use this ISRCs to see how BIG of a check to cut you.

What are ISRCs?

ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Codes and is regulated by the same organization that designates Gold, Platinum and Diamond album sales, the Recording Industry Association of America. Not to be confused with IRS (although your royalty payments may require some work come tax time), ISRCs were put into place as a means of tracking individual songs from projects, while conversly UPCs are used to track the sales or streams of entire pieces of work like EPs, LPs and Singles. Your releases must have both of these indicators assign to them to be considered for distribution on any of the major platforms.

Client Benefits

Artists now know who's interacting with their music, where they're located and can get as detailed as to age, sex and shopping habits of their listeners by studying analytics. These are powerful marketing tools artists can use to set up tours, brand merch and more. While all digital aggregators (CD Baby, Distrokid, United Masters etc…) usually provide their users with a dashboard displaying their releases' activity, many seasoned artists will also get into the details they get directly from the platforms (iTunes, Spotify, Tidal etc…).

Studio Partner Benefits

As a network we encourage our partners to apply to become a Manager of ISRCs so they can work these codes into the packages they offer to their clients. If you can get production done in your studio and then turn into a facilitator for digital distribution, clients are assured continuity and you can bank on knowing they'll be back for future releases.

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