Switching Distributors: How to Move Your Catalog Without Losing Data
When artists switch distributors, the worry is usually the same: losing stream counts, playlist spots and fans' saved tracks. In most cases you can avoid that if you save your data first, use exactly the same details when re-uploading and only remove the old version once the new one is live everywhere. Here's how it works step by step.
Why switching can cost you data
To the stores, every release is a product delivered by a specific distributor. When you switch, the old distributor pulls its product and the new one delivers a new one. Whether Spotify and others recognise the new delivery as the same song depends on the data that comes with it.
The most important anchor is the ISRC. It uniquely identifies a recording, no matter who delivers it. If your song gets a new ISRC during the move, the stores see it as a different recording. The counter starts at zero, and playlists point to a version that's about to disappear.
Step 1: Save this data before you switch
For every release, export from your old distributor's account: the ISRC of each track, the UPC of the release, the original release date, titles and spellings exactly as published, all artist names including features, the credits and your splits. Also download the original audio files and the full-resolution cover if you haven't kept clean copies yourself.
Do this while your old account is still active. After you cancel, you often lose access to the overview. A simple spreadsheet with one row per track is all you need. Also note which stores each release is currently available on, so you can compare later.
Step 2: Re-upload with identical details
With your new distributor you create each release again. At OGRECORDS™ we normally assign ISRCs automatically. For a transfer, you enter your existing ISRC instead, and the system removes hyphens on its own. Copy titles, artist names and spellings exactly as they currently appear in the stores. Even a different hyphen or an extra feat. can lead the stores to treat the release separately.
Keep the same cover, and make sure it meets our requirements: at least 3000 × 3000 pixels, JPG or PNG, with CMYK converted to RGB automatically. For credits you need at least one composer and one lyricist per track. Older releases were sometimes delivered without complete credits, so this is the moment to fill them in.
Step 3: Only take down the old version once the new one is everywhere
The order is what matters. Have your release delivered through us and wait until it's available on all the stores you care about. Check Spotify, Apple Music and the others yourself. Only then request the takedown from your old distributor.
If you reverse the order, your song is unavailable for a while. Fans can't find it and playlists have a gap. Being in the stores twice for a short time is the smaller problem. Also keep in mind that a new release date with us has to be at least 5 business days out, so don't plan the move at the last minute.
What you can realistically expect
With the same ISRC and identical metadata, the stores have everything they need to match the new delivery to the existing recording. There's still no guarantee. The stores do the matching themselves, and not every service handles it the same way. Occasionally a stream counter or a playlist link doesn't carry over.
During the transition your income comes through both distributors, depending on which version was streamed. Stores report with a delay, so your old distributor may keep paying out for a few weeks. Don't delete your old account right away, wait until the final statements have arrived.
Moving your catalog to OGRECORDS™
Catalog transfers are free with us. We deliver to 38 stores and streaming services in more than 240 territories. There's no subscription and no fee per release, we keep 10 % of your earnings. Your masters stay 100 % yours and the agreement is non-exclusive. The full terms are on our pricing page.
If you've worked with others on your songs, set up the royalty splits while you're recreating the releases. Invitations go out to your split partners once the release has been delivered. Payouts are sent manually by bank transfer, usually within 24 hours of your request.
Export your ISRCs and release data from your old distributor today, then start your free catalog transfer to OGRECORDS™.