NEXO Guide
Music distribution, explained.
Everything an independent artist or label should understand before sending a release into the world.
1. Prepare the release
Start with final masters, artwork and complete metadata. Artist names, featured artists, roles, titles and release dates should be consistent across the catalog. Spotify specifically notes that metadata is displayed as delivered by a label or distributor, making accuracy foundational.
2. Quality control before delivery
A professional workflow checks audio, artwork and metadata before delivery. The goal is simple: catch preventable errors before a release reaches digital services.
3. Deliver to digital platforms
NEXO is built to deliver independent catalogs worldwide across 450+ platforms. Explore NEXO distribution.
4. Understand royalties and reporting
Distribution and royalty administration are connected but not identical. Artists and labels should know where earnings originate, how statements are presented, and how withdrawals are handled.
5. Build the catalog, not just the release
A strong distributor should support repeat releases, catalog visibility and long-term rights workflows. NEXO also connects distribution with Nexo Publishing Group for publishing support.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
What is music distribution?
Music distribution is the operational process of delivering recordings and their metadata to digital music services so listeners can discover and stream or buy the release.
Why does metadata matter?
Metadata controls how a release is identified and displayed. Accurate artist names, roles, titles, dates, artwork and identifiers reduce avoidable delivery and catalog problems.
Does distribution replace promotion?
No. Distribution gets a release delivered; promotion, audience development and release strategy help people discover it.