ISRC & UPC codes, explained simply.

What is an ISRC?

An International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) is a unique identifier assigned to one specific recording, not the song itself, but this exact version of it. A live version, a remix, and the original studio recording of the same song each get their own ISRC.

Streaming platforms use the ISRC to track plays and attribute royalties to the correct recording. Without a valid, unique ISRC, a platform has no reliable way to know which recording a stream belongs to.

What is a UPC?

A Universal Product Code (UPC) identifies the release as a whole, a single, an EP, or an album, rather than an individual track. Every release needs a valid UPC before it can go live on stores. If you release the same project again later with changes, it typically needs a new UPC.

Why these codes actually matter

A few things worth knowing

• You can supply your own ISRC if you've already registered one elsewhere, most distributors including Radioly support this.
• Re-releasing a track with new mixing or mastering technically makes it a new recording, and it should generally get a new ISRC.
• A UPC is sometimes called an EAN outside the US, they serve the same purpose.