Credits on streaming platforms are pulled directly from the metadata you provide to your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, etc.) during the upload process. To ensure they show up correctly, you must use full legal names (not stage names) in the “Songwriter” and “Composer” fields. Once the song is live, Spotify and Apple Music “map” these names to their databases. However, seeing your name in the credits does not mean you are being paid your songwriting royalties—it only means you are being “recognized.”
1. The Rules of Professional Metadata
To ensure your credits look professional and are “clickable” (linking to your Songwriter Page), follow these 2025 standards:
- Real Names Only: Streaming platforms require the legal names of songwriters. If you enter “Lil’ Rocket” as the songwriter, the system may reject it or fail to link it to your royalty accounts.
- Define the Roles: Most distributors allow you to specify if a collaborator was a Lyricist, Composer, or Producer. Be precise; this determines how the credits are categorized on Apple Music and Spotify.
- The ISWC Link: If you have already registered your song with a PRO (like ASCAP, BMI, or PRS), you should have an ISWC (International Standard Musical Work Code). Entering this code at the distributor level is the “gold standard” for ensuring your credits are accurate.
2. How to Check and Fix Credits
| Platform | Where to Look | How to Fix |
| Spotify | Click the three dots ... next to a song > Show Credits. | You must contact your distributor to send a metadata update. |
| Apple Music | Click the three dots ... > View Credits. | Request a “Metadata Correction” from your distributor. |
| YouTube Music | Expand the “Description” or check the “Topic” video info. | Update the “Credits” section in your distributor dashboard. |
3. The “Credit Trap”: Why Visibility $\neq$ Profitability
Here is the most important lesson in the music business: Showing up in the “Credits” tab does nothing to put money in your pocket.
Your distributor sends your name to Spotify so it can be displayed. But Spotify does not pay songwriting royalties to your distributor. They pay them to Collection Societies and Publishing Administrators.
The Reality Check: If your name is listed as the songwriter on Spotify, but you haven’t registered that song with a publishing administrator, your money is being sent to a “Black Box.” It sits there for a few years, and if unclaimed, it is eventually given to major labels and top-charting artists.
4. Why Distribution Alone is Losing You Money
Most artists think “100% Royalties” from a distributor means 100% of the total pie. In reality, it only means 100% of the Master (Recording) share.
- The Missing 50%: Every stream generates “Mechanical” and “Performance” royalties. Distributors like DistroKid or TuneCore (without their paid “Pro” add-ons) simply cannot collect this money.
- The Commission Hit: Even if your distributor offers a publishing service, they usually take a 15% to 20% commission on your songwriting money.
- International Leaks: Without a global administrator, your royalties from countries like France, Japan, or Brazil often never make it back to you because the “pipes” aren’t connected.
5. How Audiobulb Turns Credits into Cash
At Audiobulb, we believe that if your name is on the song, the money should be in your hand—all of it.
- 0% Commission: We charge a flat $19.99/year. We don’t take a single penny from your songwriting royalties. Whether you earn $10 or $10,000, it’s all yours.
- Global Legal Registration: We don’t just “show” your name; we register your work with the MLC, PRS, IPRS, and other global entities. This ensures the “Songwriter Share” is routed directly to you.
- Active Usage Tracking: Our technology scans the web to see if your credited works are being used in unauthorized videos or remixes. We hunt down the money that passive distributors ignore.
- 100% Ownership: You keep your copyrights forever. We are your employees, not your owners.
Summary
Getting your credits right is the first step toward professional recognition. Use your legal name and ensure your distributor has the correct metadata. But don’t stop at the “blue check” or the “View Credits” tab. If you want to actually get paid for the work you’ve done, you need to bridge the gap between distribution and administration.
Your Next Step: Are your credits already live on Spotify? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year to ensure those credits are actually generating the songwriting royalties you’ve earned. We take zero commission, helping you claim 100% of your global revenue.