ISRC Codes Explained: What Every Independent Artist Needs to Know
What is an ISRC code, why does every track need one, and how do you get them? Everything independent artists need to know about music identification codes.
If you've ever submitted music to a distributor and been asked for an ISRC code, you may have wondered what it actually is — and whether it matters. The answer: it matters a lot. An ISRC code is the global identifier that connects your recording to every stream, download, and royalty payment it generates, anywhere in the world.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is an ISRC Code?
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It's a unique 12-character alphanumeric code assigned to a specific sound recording or music video. Think of it as the ISBN for a book, but for individual tracks.
An ISRC code looks like this: GB-A2W-24-00001
It breaks down as follows:
- GB — country code of the registrant (2 letters)
- A2W — registrant code identifying who assigned the ISRC (3 alphanumeric characters)
- 24 — the year of registration (2 digits)
- 00001 — designation code, a unique sequence for that registrant and year (5 digits)
Every ISRC is globally unique and permanently tied to one specific recording. If you re-record a track — even slightly — the new recording gets a new ISRC.
Why ISRCs Matter for Independent Artists
1. They track your royalties across every platform
When your song is streamed on Spotify, purchased on iTunes, or played on a digital radio station, the platform reports the play using your ISRC code. Collection societies (like ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SIAE) and digital service providers use ISRCs to identify which recording was played and route the corresponding royalty payment to the right rights holder.
Without a valid ISRC, royalties can go uncollected or be attributed to the wrong party. In some cases, platforms may reject the release entirely.
2. They prevent duplicate entries in streaming catalogs
Streaming platforms use ISRCs to identify recordings. If the same track is distributed multiple times with different ISRCs (or without one), platforms can create duplicate entries — meaning your streams are split across multiple catalog entries and none of them builds meaningful algorithmic traction.
3. They enable content identification on YouTube
When you register your recording with a Content ID system, the ISRC is how the recording is referenced. This allows automatic identification and monetization (or blocking) of your music when it appears in user-generated content on YouTube.
4. They're required for sync licensing and broadcast
If your music gets placed in a film, TV show, advertisement, or broadcast radio, the production company or broadcaster will need your ISRC to register the usage with the relevant collection society and process your sync royalty.
The Difference Between ISRC and Other Music Codes
Artists encounter several different codes when distributing music. Here's how to keep them straight:
| Code | Full name | What it identifies | Who assigns it |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISRC | International Standard Recording Code | A specific sound recording | Distributor or registrant |
| ISWC | International Standard Musical Work Code | A musical composition (the song itself, not the recording) | Your PRO (ASCAP, BMI, etc.) |
| EAN / UPC | European Article Number / Universal Product Code | A release (album, EP, single) as a commercial product | Distributor |
| GRid | Global Release Identifier | A digital release bundle across platforms | Distributor |
In short: ISRC = the recording. ISWC = the song. EAN/UPC = the product (album or single).
You'll typically need both an ISRC (for each track) and an EAN/UPC (for the release as a whole) when distributing your music. Most distributors handle both automatically.
How to Get an ISRC Code
There are three main ways to obtain ISRCs:
Through your distributor (recommended for most artists)
If you distribute through a service like GloboVibes, ISRCs are generated and assigned automatically as part of the distribution process. You don't need to do anything — the code is embedded in your track's metadata before it reaches the platform.
This is the easiest and most common route for independent artists.
Through your national ISRC agency
Every country has a national ISRC agency that registers artists and labels as official ISRC registrants. Once registered, you receive a unique registrant code and can assign your own ISRCs independently — in unlimited quantities — from that point on.
For example:
- US: RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) — riaa.com/resources/isrc
- UK: PPL — ppluk.com
- Italy: FIMI / IFPI — fimi.it
- Brazil: Pro-Música Brasil
Registration is typically free or low-cost, and gives you permanent control over your own ISRC pool. This makes sense if you release music frequently or run a label with multiple artists.
Through a PRO or collection society
Some performing rights organizations assign ISRCs as part of their registration process. Check with your local PRO to see if this option is available.
Important Rules for Using ISRCs
One ISRC per unique recording — always
The same recording must always use the same ISRC. If you re-release an older track on a new album, use the original ISRC. If you create a new mix, a new version, or a live recording, assign a new ISRC.
Common situations and what they require:
- Re-release of an existing recording: same ISRC
- Radio edit (shortened version): new ISRC
- Remix: new ISRC
- Live recording: new ISRC, even if it's the same song
- Remaster: technically the same recording, but industry practice is to issue a new ISRC if the audio content has changed significantly
- Music video: separate ISRC from the audio recording
Don't create duplicate ISRCs for the same recording
If your track already has an ISRC (perhaps from a previous distributor or release), use that same code. Assigning a new ISRC to the same recording creates duplicates in the global catalog and can cause royalty tracking problems.
Keep a record of your ISRCs
Maintain a spreadsheet with every track you've released, its title, release date, and corresponding ISRC. This becomes invaluable when relicensing tracks, registering with PROs, or resolving royalty discrepancies.
What Happens If You Don't Have an ISRC?
A release without valid ISRCs may be:
- Rejected by certain platforms (some require ISRCs at submission)
- Listed in streaming catalogs without a proper identifier, making royalty collection unreliable
- Untrackable by collection societies, meaning performance royalties go uncollected
- Ineligible for certain sync licensing opportunities
In short, distributing without ISRCs is distributing blind.
ISRCs and GloboVibes
When you distribute through GloboVibes, every track in your release is automatically assigned a unique, globally registered ISRC. The code is embedded in your metadata before delivery to all platforms. You also receive a record of every ISRC assigned to your catalog, so you have full visibility and control.
If you already have ISRCs for existing recordings, you can provide them during upload and they'll be used instead of generating new ones.
Summary
- An ISRC is a permanent, unique identifier for a specific sound recording
- Every track needs one for proper royalty tracking across all platforms and territories
- Most distributors assign ISRCs automatically — you don't need to register independently unless you run a label or release very frequently
- The same recording always uses the same ISRC; new versions, remixes, and live recordings get new codes
- Keep a record of all your ISRCs — you'll need them throughout your career