The short version
Upload the replacement first. Remove the old delivery second.
Keep the same ISRC, artist name, song title, release metadata and audio file whenever the recording itself has not changed. Let the new distributor deliver the release before requesting a takedown from the old one. This gives services such as Spotify the best chance to link the two deliveries as the same recording.
1. Save the old release information before you move
Before touching the old distributor account, record the existing ISRC for every track, artist name, release title, track titles, featured-artist credits, original release date, songwriter credits and the exact audio master you previously delivered.
If you do not already keep a release archive, this is the moment to create one. A spreadsheet with your ISRCs, release dates and distributor details can prevent expensive mistakes later.
2. Reuse the existing ISRC for the same recording
An ISRC identifies a specific sound recording across its life. If you are moving the same master to a new distributor, the existing ISRC should normally travel with it rather than being replaced by a fresh code.
DistroKid's current guidance explicitly says an ISRC should remain the same despite changes in distributor, ownership or file type. DistroKid also allows existing ISRCs to be entered on Musician Plus and Ultimate plans.
Official reference: DistroKid: UPC and ISRC guidance.
3. Match the original audio and metadata as closely as possible
DistroKid tells artists switching from another distributor to use the exact same metadata and audio files if they want streaming services to try to preserve play counts and playlist placements. That means the same track title, album title, ISRC and recording rather than a remaster or edited version disguised as the old track.
Spotify's own re-upload guidance also says track-linking depends on the old and new versions having the same audio and metadata, including duration, title and artist name.
Official references: DistroKid: switching distributors and Spotify: re-uploading music and track-linking.
4. Do not treat a remaster as the same delivery
If you changed the recording materially, created a new mix, changed the duration, replaced vocals or produced a true remaster, do not assume the old play count should carry over. Track-linking is designed for the same recording being redelivered, not for disguising a new version as the old one.
If continuity is your priority, migrate the original recording first. Release a genuinely different master as its own properly identified version later.
5. Upload through the new distributor before removing the old release
DistroKid's current switching instructions say to upload your releases to DistroKid first and then remove the old distributor's versions afterward. It notes that a short period where both deliveries appear can happen and is generally okay.
The important principle is to avoid creating a gap where the old delivery disappears before the replacement has reached stores.
6. Check Spotify track-linking before you finish the migration
Spotify says you can verify track-linking by checking the play count shown beside the song in the desktop app. If the old and new deliveries show the same play count, Spotify has linked them as the same track.
This is useful evidence, but not a guarantee that every service will behave identically. DistroKid itself says it cannot guarantee that play counts or playlist placements will be preserved because the final matching process is controlled by the streaming services.
7. Keep artist naming and credits consistent
Distributor migrations are a poor time to experiment with spelling, punctuation or a new artist name. Spotify says the metadata sent by your label or distributor controls how your release appears, and it specifically recommends keeping artist-name spelling and formatting consistent from one release to the next.
Official reference: Spotify music metadata guidelines.
8. Expect the UPC to change when moving to DistroKid
Track-level continuity depends heavily on the ISRC, but the release-level UPC can be different. DistroKid currently does not let you enter an outside UPC for a new upload; it generates a new DistroKid UPC for the release.
That is another reason to think of ISRC and UPC as different identifiers: the recording can remain the same while the release package is redelivered under a new distributor-generated UPC.
Official reference: DistroKid: using existing ISRCs or UPCs.
Migration checklist
✓ Export and save every existing ISRC before leaving the old distributor.
✓ Keep the same audio master for the same recording.
✓ Match artist name, track title, album title and core credits.
✓ Enter the existing ISRC at the new distributor.
✓ Upload to the new distributor before taking down the old delivery.
✓ Allow for a short overlap rather than creating a release gap.
✓ Check Spotify play counts for evidence of track-linking.
✓ Do not assume playlist positions or play counts are guaranteed to survive.
✓ Save the new distributor's release IDs and UPC after migration.
Switching Music Distributors 2026 FAQ
What should stay the same when moving a recording? Keep the audio, title, artist name, release metadata and existing ISRC matched as closely as possible for the same recording.
Should you remove the old release first? No. Upload the replacement first, verify the new delivery and only then remove the old version when the migration is stable.
Can a remaster use the same ISRC? A materially changed recording may require a new identifier. Do not assume every remaster should be treated as the exact same recording.
Can streams always be preserved? Matching identifiers and metadata improves the chance of correct linking, but platform handling is not fully controlled by the distributor.
Moving to DistroKid?
Use the existing ISRCs and keep the release data matched.
DistroKid is designed to accept existing ISRCs on Musician Plus and Ultimate, which makes it a practical option when you are moving an established catalog rather than uploading brand-new recordings.
If you sign up through the DistroKid link above, you can receive 7% off your first year and Indie Artist Stack may earn a referral reward at no extra cost to you.