You can correct text details such as titles, artist names and credits yourself, then redistribute so stores pick up the change. To replace the audio or artwork, or remove a release from stores, the release needs to be taken down first. Just ask our support team.
What this means
Spotted something you'd like to change? Most text details are quick to fix. Here's what you can do yourself, how, and what to expect.
Change | Can you do it yourself? | How | What happens |
Fix release details (metadata): artist names, track titles, credits, label information | Yes | Edit the release in Distribution, save, then redistribute. Updating and delivering metadata | Each store applies the update at its own pace, so it often shows on one store before another. |
Update release details while a store is still processing the release, or while it's waiting for inspection | Not yet | Wait until processing has finished, then edit and redistribute. | The release may be locked for now, so edits can't go out until the store has finished. |
A fix that can't go through a standard update, such as an audio update | No, ask us | Message our support team. | The release may need to be taken down, corrected and delivered again. |
Remove a release from all stores or from specific ones | No, ask us | Send us the UPC and tell us whether it's all stores or which ones. How to take a release down | The release is removed from the stores you named. |
When this applies
You've spotted a typo or a missing credit on a release that's already been sent to stores.
You need to swap in a new mix, master or cover image.
You want a release removed, for example because the rights moved to someone else or you're moving it to another distributor.
Your release doesn't have to be live yet. You can also send updates once a release has been delivered but isn't public, as long as no store is locking it during processing.
What you need before you start
Access to your account at app.theartistmusic.com.
The release title and release ID / UPC. Where to find your UPC
To take a release down: a list of the stores you want it removed from, or "all stores".
For a replacement: the corrected audio or artwork, checked against the metadata tips.
Step-by-step
To fix text details yourself:
Open Distribution and choose the release, album or track.
Click Edit and correct the details. Fill in every required field, so the edit can be saved without errors.
Save the release.
Redistribute it to stores as you normally would. Saving alone doesn't send the update.
To replace audio, or remove a release:
Message us through the chat in The Artist Platform.
Send the UPC and tell us whether it's for all stores or specific ones.
Tell us what's changing if you're replacing files, so we can guide you through the next step.
What happens next
Release detail updates are applied by each store at its own pace, so the change usually shows up on different stores at different times.
After you take a release down on Spotify, the release can still look live if someone has the exact link. Spotify keeps a greyed-out, unplayable "shell" of the release so playlists and track links don't break. It won't show in search or on your artist page. Why does a release appear live on Spotify after a takedown?
Other stores remove releases on their own schedules.
Troubleshooting
Problem | What to do |
I can't edit my release | It may be locked while a store processes it or while it's waiting for inspection. Try again once processing has finished. If it stays locked, send us the release title and UPC and we'll check. |
I updated my release details but one store still shows the old ones | Each store applies updates separately. If the changes don't take place after 5 days, contact us with the UPC and the store name. |
I saved my changes but nothing changed in stores | Redistribute the release after saving. Saving alone doesn't send the update to stores. |
My release still shows on Spotify after I took it down | If the tracks are greyed out and can't be played, that's Spotify's shell and expected. If they can still be played, contact us with the UPC and the Spotify link. |
I want to move my release to another distributor | Ask us to take the release down, with the UPC and the stores. Cross-check with your new distributor about their best practices before requesting a takedown. |
My release shows up on another artist's profile | That's usually a store matching mix-up. See My release is on the wrong artist profile: how to fix it. |
Need help?
Contact us through the chat in The Artist Platform, or see How can I contact you?. Include your release title, UPC and exactly what you want to change, so we can help straight away. We aim to get back to you within 1 business day.