Manage your sound recording metadata

These features are only available to partners who use YouTube Studio Content Manager.

If you’re a music partner who delivers sound recording assets, you can use the info below to successfully manage your sound recording metadata.

View sound recording metadata

Sign in to Studio Content Manager.
From the left menu, select Assets .
Click the title of the sound recording asset whose metadata you want to view. The Asset details page will open.
On the Asset details page, select Metadata from the left menu.

Identify global/display metadata

Global metadata, also known as display metadata, is the metadata set that YouTube displays to YouTube users. It’s the metadata version that surfaces when uploaders get a Content ID claim and in features like Music in this Video.

On the Asset details page, in the Metadata section, the global/display metadata shows at the top under Global.

When you click COMPARE METADATA, global/display metadata is labeled with the green Display icon . Learn more about the Compare Metadata feature.

Deliver sound recording metadata

Below are some best practices for successfully delivering metadata for your sound recording assets:

Add complete and accurate metadata in your initial delivery

When delivering a sound recording asset for the first time, we recommend you complete as many metadata fields as possible.

We also encourage partners to deliver final metadata and avoid sending placeholder metadata, even for assets related to future releases. Learn more about delivering metadata.

Include asset-specific identifiers when delivering updates

When updating an existing asset, we recommend you include the existing asset ID along with the ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) and Custom ID, if applicable. Entering this info will help with sending the update to the correct asset and sound recording share. It will also reduce the likelihood of a new asset or share being created.

If you’re updating the ISRC or Custom ID, you should still enter the asset ID in your delivery. Keep in mind that entering a new ISRC or new Custom ID may result in the creation of a new sound recording share. Learn more about sound recording shares.

Send sound recording assets before delivering art tracks

We recommend you deliver a sound recording asset before delivering an art track.

Also, make sure the ISRC of the art track matches the ISRC of the sound recording asset. Doing so will help create a proper embed relationship between the art track and its corresponding sound recording asset. Learn more about embedded assets.

FAQs

How does YouTube decide which global/display metadata set gets surfaced to users?

When there’s one owner of a sound recording asset, the metadata from the owner’s newest and most complete sound recording share is surfaced as the global/display metadata.

When there’s more than one owner, the newest and most complete share from any partner with active asset ownership gets surfaced.

How can I update a sound recording asset to make my metadata display as the global/display metadata?

You can increase the likelihood that your metadata will be selected by delivering as complete a metadata set as possible.

Also, make sure you keep your metadata updated to maintain accuracy. These actions will help improve the chances of your metadata being selected as an asset’s global metadata.

Why isn’t my metadata showing as the global/display metadata?

Another partner may have delivered metadata more recently or entered a more complete set of metadata. Use the Compare Metadata feature to view metadata added by other partners.

We recommend confirming that you’ve delivered a complete set of metadata and updating the asset metadata as needed.

I just updated an asset with multiple owners. Why isn’t my metadata now showing as the global/display metadata?

Although you may have delivered metadata more recently, it’s possible another partner delivered a more complete set of metadata. Use the Compare Metadata feature to view metadata added by other partners.

We recommend confirming that you’ve delivered a complete set of metadata and updating the asset metadata as needed

I delivered an asset that was merged with an existing asset. Why isn’t my metadata now showing as the global/display metadata?

It’s possible the existing asset’s metadata set was chosen due to issues with inconsistent metadata in your delivery. To check for inconsistent metadata issues:

Sign in to Studio Content Manager.
From the left menu, select Assets .
Click the title of the merged asset. The Asset details page will open.
On the Asset details page, select Metadata from the left menu.
Click the Sound Recording Shares tab.
Find and copy the Asset ID associated with the share created from your delivery. The Asset ID should begin with “AA”.
Click the back arrow and return to the Assets page.
From the left menu, select Reports .
Click the Assets tab.
Under Assets (shares), click Version 1.1 and select Asset share report. The report will begin downloading as a CSV file.
Open the report. In the sound_recording_share_asset_id column, search for the Asset ID beginning with “AA”.
In the asset’s row, find the column named “from_inconsistent_metadata_merge”. If this column is labeled True, it means our system used the existing metadata because your metadata contained differences with the metadata on the existing asset.

Tip: You can edit inconsistent metadata in Studio Content Manager or via content delivery:

Studio Content Manager: Follow these Edit asset metadata instructions.
Content Delivery: Using your preferred delivery method, such as CSV, DDEX, or API, enter the complete set of metadata you’d like to appear. If applicable, make sure you specify the asset ID and ISRC/Custom ID previously provided.

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