When migrating catalogs from one distributor to another, each DSP follows a similar protocol to ensure that playlist placements, play counts, and other data is correctly transferred. For example, Spotify refers to this process as track linking — it is specifically designed to provide a better user experience by removing duplicate tracks from the charts section, popular tracks section, and avoiding gaps in playlists.
Although this process works as expected in most cases, track linking is never 100% guaranteed. When attempting to link two versions of a recording, the metadata should be as close to identical as possible (i.e. duration, title, title version, artist, ISRC), and the audio used should be the exact same. Chances of track linking are decreased with each differing piece of metadata between the two recordings.
Please follow the steps below to transfer your catalog releases to Sparta and ensure track linking takes effect:
- Set up the release in the Sparta Dashboard with the exact same track audio, title, title version, artists, and ISRC(s) as the originally distributed version.
- Ensure
the original release date is set to the song's original release date and the official release date is
the datethe date the catalog transfer is to begin.
- Click the “Request Distribution” button to start the deliveries to the DSPs. The new version of the release will go live on all DSPs within 48 hours after being reviewed.
- Wait until both versions of the release are live on Spotify and review track linking by comparing the play counts.
- If the play counts match, track linking is successful and you may request takedowns from your previous distributor.
Please note that during this period of transition there may be some fluctuation in the popular tracks section of your artist page. This is normal and you should find that popular tracks normalize within 72 hours of the new content being live on Spotify.
Disclaimer: Play counts cannot be transferred on SoundCloud and YouTube Art Tracks at present.