Switch Music Distributors: A Practical Guide | Kinjari ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1772224890303752&ev=PageView&noscript=1) [ ![Kinjari logo](/imgs/logo.png) ](https://www.kinjari.com) [For Artists](https://www.kinjari.com/music-distribution) [For Labels](https://www.kinjari.com/music-distribution-for-independent-labels) [For Distributors](https://www.kinjari.com/music-distribution-api) Features [ All Features ](https://www.kinjari.com/features) [ Biolinks ](https://www.kinjari.com/biolinks) [ YouTube ContentID ](https://www.kinjari.com/youtube-contentid) [ Release Calendar ](https://www.kinjari.com/release-calendar) [ File Manager ](https://www.kinjari.com/file-manager) [ Revenue Splits ](https://www.kinjari.com/features/revenue-splits) [ Artist Tools ](https://www.kinjari.com/artist-tools) [Blog](https://www.kinjari.com/blog) [FAQ](https://www.kinjari.com/faq) [Sign In](https://app.kinjari.com/login) [Get Started](https://app.kinjari.com/register) ![Kinjari logo](/imgs/logo.png) [ Home ](https://www.kinjari.com) [ For Artists ](https://www.kinjari.com/music-distribution) [ For Labels ](https://www.kinjari.com/music-distribution-for-independent-labels) [ For Distributors ](https://www.kinjari.com/music-distribution-api) Features [ All Features ](https://www.kinjari.com/features) [ Biolinks ](https://www.kinjari.com/biolinks) [ YouTube ContentID ](https://www.kinjari.com/youtube-contentid) [ Release Calendar ](https://www.kinjari.com/release-calendar) [ File Manager ](https://www.kinjari.com/file-manager) [ Revenue Splits ](https://www.kinjari.com/features/revenue-splits) [ Artist Tools ](https://www.kinjari.com/artist-tools) [ Blog ](https://www.kinjari.com/blog) [ FAQ ](https://www.kinjari.com/faq) [ Sign In ](https://app.kinjari.com/login) [ Get Started ](https://app.kinjari.com/register) How to Switch Music Distributors ================================ Upload your existing releases to the new distributor, check that the replacements work in each store, then ask the old distributor to remove its deliveries. Keeping the original audio, codes and release details gives stores the information they need to match your music. Use this checklist to prepare your catalogue, check the move and deal with anything that doesn't match. How Your Streams Carry Over --------------------------- Your new distributor delivers the release. Each store then processes it and decides how it connects to the music already in its catalogue. ### Keep the Recording's Identity An ISRC identifies a recording. A UPC identifies the release that contains it, such as a single, EP or album. Changing distributor does not turn the same recording into a new one, so keep its original ISRC. A four-track EP has four track ISRCs and one release UPC. Copy each code alongside the correct title and version. If the EP contains a radio edit and an extended mix, those versions keep their own codes. Save the UPC too, and reuse it where the new distributor accepts it. ### Check What the Store Has Matched Spotify can link a replacement to the existing recording and retain its play count. It asks for the same audio and metadata, including duration, title and artist name. [Spotify's track-linking instructions](https://support.spotify.com/uk/artists/article/re-uploading-music/) explain how to check the result. Matching is handled by the store, so no distributor can guarantee that every count or playlist placement will carry over. The practical check is to open the replacement, compare it with the old version and test the playlists that matter to you. A completed upload is only the start. Get These Details Before You Start ---------------------------------- Save a folder for each release while you still have access to the old account. Check that your new distributor supports the stores and territories you need, including specialist destinations such as Beatport. ### Files and Release Details - The original audio master for every track. Use the file that was delivered before; check that radio edits, extended mixes and clean versions have not been mixed up. - The current artwork and complete track list in the original order. Keep a copy you can upload, rather than relying on a thumbnail from a store. - Each track's ISRC and the release UPC or EAN. Copy these from your distributor's release details or metadata export, and match every code to its title. - Titles, version names, main and featured artists, contributor credits, explicit flags, copyright details and original release dates. Save release-level and track-level credits where they differ. ### Store Links and Account Records - Existing artist-profile URLs, including every artist on collaborations. Save the label-page link too if you have a branded page on a store such as Beatport. - Track and album URLs, important playlist links and screenshots of play counts. These give you something specific to compare when the replacements arrive. - Royalty statements, unpaid balances, collaborator splits and any advances or recoupment records. Keep the account and payout details you will need to collect later earnings. - Content ID registrations, other rights-management arrangements and relevant licences. Record who currently handles each service so you can arrange any separate handover. Move Your Catalogue in Five Steps --------------------------------- Work through a small batch first. You will learn how the new distributor handles your releases before the whole catalogue depends on it. 1 ### Set the Scope and Choose a Test Batch Start with one or two releases you can check properly. An uncomplicated single is a useful first test. If collaborations are a large part of your catalogue, include one so you can check both artists' profiles before moving more.Read your old distributor's cancellation and takedown terms, and check the new distributor's migration instructions. Find out whether ending the subscription removes releases, when removal happens and how to request a takedown. Plan any temporary overlap around those instructions.Keep a tracking sheet with the release title, UPC, track ISRCs, submission date, old and new store links, checks completed and takedown status. For a label, add the person responsible for checking each release. Give yourself several weeks before a deadline, with room to fix a rejected delivery or a wrong profile. 2 ### Upload the Same Releases and Existing Codes Create the replacement with the original audio, artwork and metadata. Preserve the track order, version names, artist roles and original release date. Enter each track's existing ISRC, and reuse the release UPC where accepted. Compare the upload against your saved release details before submitting it.In Kinjari, add your artist through the Artists section and select their existing Spotify profile. Then choose Create Release in Releases. Enter the original release date and UPC at release level, and the existing ISRC for each track. The [Kinjari upload guide](https://help.kinjari.com/article/39-how-to-upload-your-music-to-kinjari) shows those fields.Check the details that are easy to miss: a featured artist credited only on one track, the clean version of a single, or an extended mix with a similar filename. Keep creative changes for after the move. You want to be able to compare the same release in both accounts. 3 ### Confirm the Replacement Is Available Wait for review and store processing, then check the delivery through the new distributor's store links. A release marked approved has passed the distributor's review. That status alone does not establish that every store has made it available.Open each selected store and check the release itself. If the old and new deliveries use the same public URL, ask the new distributor to confirm that its delivery is active. Finding the song in a search result may simply show you the version that was already there.Record availability separately for each store. For example, if an EP is playing on Spotify but its Beatport replacement is still processing, keep Beatport marked as pending. Do not mark the entire release complete because the first store worked. 4 ### Check Tracks, Profiles and Playlists On Spotify desktop, open the replacement and compare the play counts with the old version. Spotify says matching counts confirm track-linking. Check every track on an album, rather than assuming the first track tells you what happened to the rest.Play the tracks and compare the titles, versions, durations, artwork and credits. Open each credited artist's profile, including collaborators. On Beatport, check the label page as well as the release. Repeat the availability and presentation checks in the other stores you selected.Open your important playlists and test the tracks from there. Check your website, biolinks and any current promotional links too. If something is missing or wrong, record the affected track and store and send the details to the new distributor. Leave that release's old delivery in place until the problem is understood and resolved. 5 ### Request the Old Takedown and Check Again Once the replacement has passed your checks, ask the old distributor to remove its delivery. Identify the release by title, UPC and store links. If you are moving only part of the catalogue, make the list explicit so releases staying with the old service are left alone.Record when you requested removal and check the stores again after they process it. Test playback, artist profiles and important playlists. Update promotional destinations where a URL has changed. Keep your checks and support correspondence with the release folder.For example, if your album and single are both in the test batch but the single is on the wrong profile, finish the album's checks and keep the single pending. Resolve the single before requesting its takedown. Once the test batch is working, continue through the remaining catalogue in batches you have time to check. When the Move Needs More Attention ---------------------------------- Fixing mismatches, handling separate services and keeping track of the money. ### What if the play counts are missing or two versions remain? Keep the old delivery in place while the new distributor investigates. Compare the exact audio, duration, ISRC, title and artist credits. If those match, send both store links to support and ask them to check the store match. Uploading another copy adds another version to investigate. Make the support request specific. For an album, identify the affected tracks rather than saying the whole release is broken. Include: - The release title, UPC and affected track ISRCs - Old and new store links, plus the submission date - Screenshots showing the missing counts or duplicate versions - A description such as "Tracks 2 and 4 show zero plays on the replacement" ### What if the music is on the wrong profile or missing from a store? Send the new distributor the correct artist-profile URL and the affected release link. Ask whether the release is still processing, has been rejected or needs an artist-mapping correction. These need different fixes, so get the delivery status before submitting anything again. For a collaboration, name the artist whose profile is wrong and include their correct profile link. For a missing release, name the store and the country where you checked it. A release available on Spotify in the UK does not establish that every selected store and territory has received it. Keep the old delivery available while the issue is resolved. ### How long should I allow to switch distributors? Give yourself several weeks before a renewal, cancellation or removal deadline. That is a planning allowance: distributor review, store processing, matching and takedown happen separately. Build in time to correct a rejected submission or a release sent to the wrong artist profile. For a large catalogue, finish a test batch before committing the rest to a deadline. If your old subscription renews next week and the replacements are still being checked, ask about extending access or postponing removal. A renewal date does not tell you whether a replacement is ready. ### Can I change the master, artwork or artist name at the same time? Complete the move with the current files and credits first. Then ask the new distributor how to submit the changes you want. Combining a migration with a new master or artist name makes it harder to establish whether the store has received the same recording. A radio edit and an extended mix are different recordings. Keep each one's existing ISRC attached to the correct version. A materially changed recording may need a new code; an old code should never be used to move another version's stream count onto it. The [ISRC guide](/blog/isrc-codes-101-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them-as-an-artist) explains how recording identifiers work. ### Can I move only part of my catalogue? Yes, where your agreements allow you to move those releases. List exactly which releases, artists, stores and territories are included. If you are keeping some music with the old distributor, request takedowns for the selected releases rather than closing the whole account. For example, you might move four self-released singles while leaving an album with the label that released it. Check who can authorise delivery and removal for each release. For a label catalogue, nominate one person to record the checks and request takedowns, so two team members do not act on different versions of the list. ### How do I move YouTube Content ID? Arrange the handover with both Content ID administrators. Ask the old provider how it releases its references and ownership claims, and agree when the new provider should activate them. Include the track ISRCs and any affected video or claim links. Content ID manages uses of your recordings in videos. Treat that handover separately from delivery to YouTube Music. Overlapping references can need action from the providers; [YouTube explains the overlap-resolution process](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3022604?hl=en). If a claim appears during the move, send it to the providers handling the transfer instead of submitting the recording again. ### Will TikTok sound statistics carry over? Do not plan on it. [LANDR's migration guidance](https://support.landr.com/hc/en-us/articles/8024468261271-How-do-I-migrate-my-catalog-to-LANDR-from-a-previous-distributor) says TikTok does not support ISRC-based migrations and statistics will not sync after the old sound is removed. Save the existing sound link and examples of videos using it. If that sound is important to a campaign, discuss it with both distributors before including TikTok in the takedown. Ask what will happen to that specific sound. A successful move on a streaming service does not answer the TikTok question. ### What if my old distributor has already removed the music? Tell the new distributor that the old delivery is gone, then submit the original master, ISRC, release details and artist-profile links. Include the former store URLs even if they no longer play. They give support a reference for the recording you are trying to restore. There may be a gap in availability while the new delivery is processed. Check the replacement as soon as it appears, and give support the former and current URLs if the recordings have not linked. If you have lost dashboard access, ask the old distributor for a metadata export and identifiers before guessing missing fields. ### What happens to royalties, statements and collaborator splits? Royalties already collected stay with the distributor that collected them. Ask the old service about unpaid balances and reporting still to come; the new service cannot pay money held in your old account. Download statements and keep access until those reporting periods and payouts are settled. Save your collaborator split agreements, any unpaid amounts and recoupment balances too. Check how those arrangements will be recorded with the new service. Moving the recordings does not recreate your old accounting history. If you run a label, note which distributor and reporting period each statement covers so artists can follow the change. ### What does it cost to move to Kinjari? Kinjari has no setup or per-release charges. Artist is $3 a month, and Label is $39 a month. You keep 90% of royalties. Existing ISRCs and UPCs can be entered when you upload your releases. See the [current plans](/pricing). Include any remaining fees from your old distributor when budgeting for the move, such as a renewal needed to keep the catalogue available while you finish checking it. Check its cancellation and removal terms before choosing a date. Bring Your Existing Releases to Kinjari --------------------------------------- Use your existing ISRCs and UPCs when you upload. Choose Artist for your own music or Label for a roster, then start with a release you can check from upload to takedown. 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