How to Switch Music Distributors Without Losing Streams ?

Switching your music distributor can be a crucial decision for an artist. Whether you’re moving to a new platform for better services, higher revenue share, or improved analytics, ensuring a seamless transition without losing your streams is essential. If you’ve already released a song through another distributor and now wish to switch, follow this guide to make the process smooth and efficient.

Do You Need to Takedown Your Song?

The short answer is No – you don’t have to take down your song immediately. Removing it too soon can result in the loss of streaming numbers, playlist placements, and algorithmic traction. Instead, follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure a hassle-free switch.

Step 1: Upload Your Song with the New Distributor

Before initiating any takedown request with your old distributor, you need to upload your song with the new one. Here’s what you must keep in mind:

• Use the same ISRC (International Standard Recording Code). This is crucial because ISRC codes help retain streaming numbers and ensure that platforms recognize your song as the same release.

• Keep the same audio file to avoid any inconsistencies.

• Maintain the same metadata (song title, artist name, and release date) to prevent duplicate entries.

If you are switching to One Music Records, make sure to mention this in the remarks section while uploading. Also, select the option "I want the same streams" to ensure a smooth transfer.

Step 2: Verify the Song is Live on All Platforms

Once your song is approved through One Music Records, double-check that your song is available on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, etc.).

Step 3: Let Streaming Platforms Auto-Replace the Old Release

Most major platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, will automatically replace the old version with the new one if the ISRC, metadata, and audio remain unchanged. This means your play count, playlist placements, and algorithmic rankings will remain intact.

Step 4: Request a Takedown from Your Previous Distributor

Once you’ve confirmed that your song is live everywhere through One Music Records, you can proceed with requesting a takedown from your previous distributor. This ensures that there are no duplicate entries on streaming services.

Common Issues & Solutions

🔹 My song appears twice on my artist profile. What should I do?This usually happens when the ISRC is not the same or when stores take longer to update the replacement. In this case, wait a few days, and if the issue persists, contact your new distributor for support.

🔹 My streams didn’t transfer. Why?Double-check if the ISRC is the same. If it was changed, stores will consider your song a new release, and streams won’t transfer.

🔹 How long does the switch take?Once the new release is live, streaming platforms may take a few days to update their system and replace the old version.

🔹 Will my song be removed from playlists?If done correctly, your song should remain in playlists. However, some curated playlists may remove songs during distributor changes. To prevent this, ensure the ISRC is correct.

Final Thoughts

Switching distributors doesn’t have to be complicated if you follow the right process. By keeping the same ISRC, verifying your song’s availability on all platforms, and allowing stores to auto-replace the old release before requesting a takedown, you can ensure that your song retains all its streams and playlist placements.

If you're looking for a transparent and artist-friendly distributor, One Music Records offers 100% revenue share, detailed analytics, and direct support to make your distribution experience seamless.

✅ Ready to make the switch? Join One Music Records today!

📌 Important: If you want to transfer your streams while switching to One Music Records, make sure to mention this in the remarks section during upload and select "I want the same streams."

For any other queries, feel free to contact us via email, WhatsApp, or call.