Introduction
This article explains how to apply consistent artist name metadata conventions across all deliveries via FUGA to ensure correct artist-page mapping and a seamless listener experience on Apple Music, TikTok, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, TIDAL, and Pandora.
Artist names
The following Digital Service Providers (DSPs) enforce strict artist metadata guidelines: Apple Music, TikTok, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, TIDAL, and Pandora. These rules aim to ensure consistency in artist identity, prevent incorrect artist page mapping, and protect the platform experience for listeners.
Distributors must apply the following naming conventions across all deliveries via FUGA.
1. Consistency Across Releases
Artist names must be written in their full, official spelling and used consistently across all releases. Inconsistencies in capitalization, punctuation, or formatting can lead to the content being routed to an incorrect artist page.
✅ Accepted: “DJ Mellow” on all tracks
❌ Not accepted: “D.J. Mellow”, “DJ mellow”, “djMellow”
2. Use of “aka”
Only use “aka” if it is part of the artist’s official stage name. It should not be used to add informal aliases or secondary identities.
✅ Accepted: “DJ Spectrum aka The Lightmaker” (if registered this way across platforms)
❌ Not accepted: “Carlos aka DJ Chill” (if not officially used elsewhere)
3. Compound Artist Names
List two artists in a single artist field only if they are an official duo or collaborative act. Otherwise, each contributor must be credited separately in the metadata using the correct roles.
✅ Accepted: “Simon & Garfunkel”
❌ Not accepted: “Drake & The Weeknd” (unless submitted as a duo with approved branding)
4. Reverse Compound Naming
Do not credit both a group and its individual members as separate Primary or Featuring Artists on the same release.
❌ Not accepted: “The Beatles, John Lennon”
✅ Accepted: “The Beatles” or “John Lennon” (but not both simultaneously unless separate tracks apply)
5. Additional Information in Name Fields
Artist names must not include descriptive terms, websites, affiliations, or instruments.
❌ Not accepted:
“John Smith – Piano”
“Jane Doe from XYZ Records”
“Ambient Collective (Relaxation Music)”
✅ Accepted: Use these details in the album description or credits metadata instead.
6. Generic Artist Names
DSPs do not permit use of generic or keyword-based artist names designed to exploit search queries or genre tags. These are considered non-distinct and are often blocked or delisted.
Examples of rejected names:
“Spa Music”
“Yoga Session”
“Party Mix”
“Sleep Sound Machine”
“Chill Beats”
“Focus Study Songs”
✅ Instead, credit the composer, label, studio, or production brand as the artist if there is no distinct performer.
7. Misleading or Mimicked Names
Do not submit artist names that closely imitate the names of well-known artists or are designed to hijack search results.
❌ Not accepted:
“Billy Eilish”
“Drizzy Flow”
“LoFi Ariana”
“The Wknd Tribute”
These names are considered misleading and violate DSP content policies. Repeated violations may result in permanent delivery blocks or catalog removals.
Applies to the following DSPs:
Apple Music
Spotify
Amazon Music
YouTube Music
Deezer
TIDAL
Pandora
Distributors should ensure their artist metadata is DSP-compliant prior to delivery through FUGA. Use the Metadata Editor and MISS Tool to validate and review contributor roles and formatting.