Full Content & Release Standards

This guide ensures your music is correctly prepared for distribution, metadata accuracy, and compliance with all digital platforms.

1. Genre Guidelines #

General Rules

• Choose a genre that accurately represents your tracks. Metadata must reflect both album and track levels.
• Refer to ChilClick’s approved genre list when categorizing releases.

Special Genre Considerations

• Classical Music: Only original or modern compositions can be distributed to certain platforms (e.g., Apple Music).
• Soundtrack: Use only for music tied to movies, games, or audiovisual productions. Inspiration alone does not qualify.
• Karaoke: Primary genre must be “Karaoke,” secondary should match the musical style.
• Fitness & Workout: Must align with the release’s theme. Generic labels like “Motivational” are not allowed.

2. Titles and Naming Conventions #

Albums & Tracks

• Titles must match the cover image precisely, with no unnecessary abbreviations.
• Avoid generic names such as “Track 01” or “Album.”
• Multiple titles should be separated with a slash (” / “) with spaces before and after.
• Only indicate versions (e.g., “Live,” “Remix”) in the version field.
• Do not use labels like “Exclusive,” “Deluxe Edition,” or references to formats not included in the release.

Explicit Content

• Titles should reflect the artist’s original intent. ChilClick automatically censors explicit words where required.

3. Artist & Band Metadata #

• Ensure your artist or band name is unique to avoid catalog conflicts.
• For albums with multiple artists:
  • 1-3 primary artists: each must appear on at least one track.
  • 4+ primary artists: album-level artist must be “Various Artists.”
• Avoid compound or generic names like “Chorus” or “Orchestra” unless they are part of a band name.
• Composers should be listed at the track level, except for classical or one-track singles.
• Names must use consistent spelling and capitalization across all tracks and albums.

4. Language & Metadata #

• Album language = main title language. Track language = audio language.
• Non-Latin scripts must follow their original alphabets (e.g., Korean, Chinese, Arabic).
• Side-by-side translations in titles are not allowed.
• Follow proper capitalization rules per language (English = Title Case, Spanish/Portuguese = consistent sentence or title case, etc.).
• Explicit tracks must be flagged, and cover images with “Parental Advisory” logos require corresponding explicit metadata.

5. Cover Art Requirements #

Quality & Specs

• Minimum: 3000×3000 px, Maximum: 5000×5000 px, RGB, JPG/TIFF/PNG, ≤36 MB.
• Must be square and high-quality–no blurry, rotated, or stretched images.

Content Restrictions

• No links, social media handles, emails, or pricing info.
• Do not reference physical/digital/video formats not included in the release.
• Avoid offensive or misleading imagery.
• Text must be legible even in small thumbnail views.

6. Audio Standards #

• Preferred formats: FLAC or WAV. Minimum: 16-bit, 44.1 kHz; Recommended: 24-bit, 48 kHz or 24-bit, 96 kHz.
• Avoid long silences, hidden tracks, or abrupt cuts.
• Samples must be legally cleared, with proper licensing documentation if required.

7. Lyrics & Content #

• Lyrics must reflect song structure: sections separated by double spaces, sentences capitalized correctly.
• Background vocals should be indicated in parentheses.
• Explicit lyrics must be transcribed exactly; censored words must match the audio.
• Do not include chords, titles, composer credits, or additional instructions in the lyrics field.

8. Releases & Formats #

• Singles: 1-3 tracks, ≤10 minutes total.
• EPs: 2-6 tracks, total duration 10-30 minutes.
• Albums: More than 6 tracks or total duration >30 minutes.
• Versions (karaoke, tribute, covers, remixes) must clearly indicate the type and differences. Unauthorized remixes are prohibited.

9. Licensing, Pricing & Territories #

• Choose price category: Budget, Mid, Full, Premium (platforms may adjust).
• Release dates dictate when music becomes available.
• License type: Copyright or Creative Commons.
• Specify territories where you hold rights; ChilClick will respect your selections.

10. Classical Music Specifics #

• Metadata must be precise, following official repertoire references (IMSLP recommended).
• Composers and performers must be correctly credited at album and track levels.
• Only original or modern compositions allowed on certain platforms.
• Instrumental tracks = “no linguistic content” for track-level language.