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97 articlesWhat NORTH is and how distribution works
A complete overview of how NORTH moves a release from your workspace to stores and keeps reporting connected afterward.
Getting started · 6 min readCreate your NORTH account
Start with an account, confirm your identity information, and enter the workspace flow.
Getting started · 6 min readChoose an artist or label workspace
Pick the workspace structure that best matches how you distribute and manage catalog.
Getting started · 6 min readA tour of the NORTH dashboard
Learn where releases, artists, labels, analytics, royalties, audience data, and settings live.
Getting started · 7 min readYour first release checklist
Everything to have ready before you begin building your first release.
Getting started · 7 min readNavigate your workspace
Move between catalog, reporting, and settings without losing the context of your workspace.
Getting started · 6 min readCreating your first release
Build a release from metadata through tracks, stores, review, and submission.
Releases · 7 min readChoose Single, EP, or Album
Select the release type that matches your project and track count.
Releases · 6 min readSave and return to a release draft
Keep unfinished release work in NORTH and continue later.
Releases · 6 min readSchedule a release date
Choose a target date and understand why submitting early matters.
Releases · 6 min readDistribute previously released music
Enter original release information correctly when moving or re-delivering an existing recording.
Releases · 6 min readEdit a release before submission
Update any draft field while the release is still being prepared.
Releases · 6 min readEdit release metadata after submission
Understand what can change once a release is already under review or in delivery.
Releases · 6 min readUse the release details page
Read release status, metadata, delivery information, identifiers, and royalty split information in one place.
Releases · 7 min readAdd a featured artist to a release
Credit featured artists correctly at the release or track level.
Releases · 6 min readUnderstand UPCs and ISRCs in NORTH
Know which identifier belongs to the release and which belongs to each recording.
Releases · 6 min readUpload requirements for audio, artwork, and metadata
Prepare files and release information so the builder can validate them cleanly.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readUpload track audio
Attach the final audio master to each track in the release builder.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readFormat track titles and versions
Keep the title field clean and use version information only when it is genuinely part of the release.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readMark explicit content correctly
Use the explicit setting when lyrics or content require an explicit-content designation.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readAdd contributors and credits
Credit producers, performers, engineers, and other contributors accurately.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readEnter songwriters, composers, and publishers
Provide composition information and ownership shares where the builder requests it.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readChoose genres and languages
Use metadata categories that accurately describe the release and its lyrics.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readEnter copyright and phonographic copyright lines
Add accurate ownership information for the release and sound recording.
Audio & metadata · 6 min readPrepare release cover artwork
Create artwork that is clear, professional, and consistent with the release metadata.
Artwork & content rules · 6 min readFix a rejected cover image
Work through the most common reasons artwork needs revision.
Artwork & content rules · 6 min readRelease music that contains samples
Confirm you have permission to distribute every sampled element before submission.
Artwork & content rules · 6 min readDistribute a cover song
Understand the difference between recording a cover and using someone else’s recording.
Artwork & content rules · 6 min readDistribute AI-assisted content
Use AI tools only when you can demonstrate the rights needed to release the resulting content.
Artwork & content rules · 6 min readUse public-domain material
Confirm that material is genuinely public domain in the places where you plan to distribute it.
Artwork & content rules · 6 min readWhat to do when you do not fully own the content
Only submit material you are authorized to distribute.
Artwork & content rules · 6 min readHow review and delivery work
Understand what happens after you submit a release to NORTH.
Delivery & store statuses · 6 min readUnderstand release statuses
Know what Draft, In review, Approved, Delivering, Live, Rejected, and Taken down mean.
Delivery & store statuses · 7 min readRead store-by-store delivery status
See whether each destination is waiting, processing, delivered, or needs attention.
Delivery & store statuses · 6 min readWhy a release can be live on one store before another
Store processing is independent, so availability can appear at different times.
Delivery & store statuses · 6 min readRequest a takedown
Ask NORTH to remove a distributed release from stores.
Delivery & store statuses · 6 min readWhat to do if delivery shows an error
Use the release detail and review information to identify the next safe action.
Delivery & store statuses · 6 min readUpdate a release after it is live
Understand why live catalog changes may need careful handling.
Delivery & store statuses · 6 min readUnderstanding royalties, earnings, and splits
See how NORTH keeps the release royalty allocation connected to the catalog and reporting.
Royalties & splits · 7 min readSet up royalty splits
Divide a release royalty allocation between the release owner and collaborators.
Royalties & splits · 7 min readAdd a collaborator to a release split
Give another payee a defined percentage of the release allocation.
Royalties & splits · 7 min readAccept your royalty split invitation
Complete the email-based acceptance step after NORTH approves a release.
Royalties & splits · 7 min readEdit splits after a release is approved
Update collaborator percentages from the release details page when split editing is available.
Royalties & splits · 7 min readWhy a split must total 100%
NORTH requires a complete allocation before a split can be saved.
Royalties & splits · 6 min readChoose the right email for a split collaborator
Use an address the collaborator personally controls so they can receive and accept accounting invitations.
Royalties & splits · 6 min readA split acceptance email is missing
Troubleshoot a missing accounting invitation for a release owner or collaborator.
Royalties & splits · 6 min readHow payouts work
Understand how NORTH connects earnings to the secure payment setup managed by our accounting partner.
Earnings & payouts · 6 min readRead earnings statements
Understand reporting periods, status, imported date, provider label, and net earnings.
Earnings & payouts · 6 min readWhy earnings are not real-time
Stores report revenue on their own accounting schedules, so earnings appear later than streams.
Earnings & payouts · 6 min readUnderstand payout statuses
Track payout requests and completed payments from the Royalties page.
Earnings & payouts · 6 min readRecognize legitimate payment setup steps
Keep sensitive payout information inside the secure accounting flow.
Earnings & payouts · 6 min readHow collaborator payments work with splits
Each payee completes their own acceptance and payment setup for the share assigned to them.
Earnings & payouts · 6 min readUpdate payment details
Use the secure accounting flow whenever your payee or payment information needs to change.
Earnings & payouts · 6 min readHow analytics and reports work
Use NORTH to understand streams, downloads, saves, platforms, releases, tracks, and markets.
Analytics & reports · 6 min readStreams and analytics versus earnings
Performance analytics and financial statements are related but arrive on different schedules.
Analytics & reports · 6 min readView analytics by store
Compare reported performance across supported streaming and download partners.
Analytics & reports · 6 min readView analytics by release
See which releases are producing the strongest reported activity.
Analytics & reports · 6 min readView analytics by track
Compare individual recordings across your catalog.
Analytics & reports · 6 min readView analytics by market
Understand where reported listening activity is coming from geographically.
Analytics & reports · 6 min readWhy a teammate may see different analytics
Workspace permissions and catalog scope can limit the data visible to a team member.
Analytics & reports · 6 min readManaging your artist profiles
Keep artist identities and connected store profile IDs organized inside NORTH.
Profiles & artist pages · 6 min readCreate an artist profile
Add an artist identity to your NORTH catalog before or during release creation.
Profiles & artist pages · 6 min readConnect a Spotify artist profile
Associate the correct Spotify identity with a NORTH artist record.
Profiles & artist pages · 6 min readConnect an Apple Music artist profile
Associate the correct Apple Music identity with a NORTH artist record.
Profiles & artist pages · 6 min readA release landed on the wrong artist page
Gather the right identity information so NORTH can help correct a profile mismatch.
Profiles & artist pages · 6 min readChange an artist name
Plan a catalog-wide identity change carefully because stores treat artist identity as more than plain text.
Profiles & artist pages · 6 min readInvite a team member
Give someone access to your NORTH workspace without sharing your own login.
Teams & permissions · 6 min readUnderstand team roles
Use owner, admin, and scoped member access to keep workspace responsibilities clear.
Teams & permissions · 6 min readControl catalog permissions
Choose whether a teammate can view or edit artists, labels, releases, and catalog data.
Teams & permissions · 6 min readControl financial and royalty access
Limit sensitive earnings information to teammates who need it.
Teams & permissions · 6 min readLimit a teammate to selected artists or labels
Scope access so a teammate works only with the catalog they are responsible for.
Teams & permissions · 6 min readRemove a team member
Revoke workspace access when someone no longer needs it.
Teams & permissions · 6 min readCreate a label profile
Add a label identity to your NORTH catalog and use it consistently on releases.
Label management · 6 min readChoose the label name on a release
Use a label name you control and keep it consistent across the catalog.
Label management · 6 min readOrganize a label roster
Use artist and label records together to keep releases attached to the right identities.
Label management · 6 min readRun a label workspace
Use one workspace for catalog, delivery, analytics, royalties, and team access across a roster.
Label management · 7 min readManage multiple label names
Keep distinct label identities organized when your workspace controls more than one imprint.
Label management · 6 min readCreating smart links and promo pages
Create a shareable release destination from eligible NORTH releases.
Smart links & promo tools · 6 min readWhich releases can use a smart link
Understand when NORTH can create a release link and populate store destinations.
Smart links & promo tools · 6 min readShare a NORTH smart link
Use one URL across social profiles, bios, campaigns, and direct promotion.
Smart links & promo tools · 6 min readPromote a release before release day
Use your release page as the central destination while the release is still upcoming.
Smart links & promo tools · 6 min readA smart link is missing a store
Store links can appear at different times as destinations process a release.
Smart links & promo tools · 6 min readUnderstand master ownership with NORTH
NORTH distribution does not require you to give up ownership of your master recordings.
Rights, claims & disputes · 6 min readUnderstand Content ID eligibility
Content identification systems have stricter rights requirements than ordinary music delivery.
Rights, claims & disputes · 6 min readResolve a content claim
Gather ownership evidence and the release information needed to investigate a claim.
Rights, claims & disputes · 6 min readWhat rights documentation to keep
Maintain records that show you are authorized to distribute the music and artwork you submit.
Rights, claims & disputes · 7 min readHandle an ownership dispute between collaborators
Pause unilateral changes and resolve ownership clearly before asking NORTH to alter a disputed release.
Rights, claims & disputes · 6 min readManage account settings
Keep personal and workspace information current.
Account & workspace · 6 min readChange or reset your password
Use the authentication flow to regain access without sharing credentials.
Account & workspace · 6 min readSwitch between workspaces
Move between organizations when your account belongs to more than one NORTH workspace.
Account & workspace · 6 min readManage NORTH notifications
Understand which release, team, and account events can create email or in-product updates.
Account & workspace · 6 min readRequest account closure
Contact NORTH when you need to close a workspace or account safely.
Account & workspace · 6 min readNORTH distribution guidelines
Understand the baseline standards releases must meet before delivery.
Policies & guidelines · 7 min readContent NORTH may refuse to distribute
Some content can be rejected because it is unlawful, deceptive, infringing, abusive, or incompatible with store rules.
Policies & guidelines · 6 min readDo not use artificial streaming or engagement
Artificial activity can cause withheld revenue, removal, account action, or store penalties.
Policies & guidelines · 6 min readProtect account and collaborator information
Use NORTH and accounting workflows without exposing passwords, banking information, or tax records unnecessarily.
Policies & guidelines · 6 min readRead the NORTH distribution agreement
Understand commission, rights, delivery authority, takedowns, warranties, and other legal terms.
Policies & guidelines · 6 min readTalk to NORTH support.
Send the release title, the action you were trying to complete, the visible status or error, and any non-sensitive screenshots that help explain the problem.