DistroKid Rejected Your Release? The Fixes for Each Rejection Reason
Updated 2026-10-21 · 4 sources
Short answer
Read the rejection email: it says what was flagged. For artwork or artist verification issues, don't delete anything. Replace the artwork or complete verification on the existing release. For most other issues, DistroKid says you'll need to delete and re-upload the release with the corrected metadata. If you think the rejection was a mistake, reply to the email.
Fix in place or re-upload?
According to DistroKid, a rejected upload usually has to be deleted and re-uploaded to fix what was flagged. The exceptions are verification requests (don't delete the release) and artwork rejections, which you fix with Replace Artwork on the album page [1].
Title and artist formatting
DistroKid's list of what streaming services don't accept in titles: too much extra information, strange things in parentheses, odd punctuation, dates or years, primary artists also listed as featured artists, URLs, contact details, social media or streaming service names, and "Official" in artist names [2].
Artwork
Artwork must be a single RGB image. DistroKid says stores reject URLs, QR codes, X/Twitter page names, blurry or rotated images, unlicensed stock photos, prices, streaming or social logos, nudity, and references to physical media such as "CD". Duplicate artwork across releases may also be rejected [3].
Lyrics
If your lyrics were rejected, DistroKid lists the requirements, starting with not including the vocalist's name or extra text [3]. Check the full list in its help center before resubmitting.
Language
The language you select has to match the language of your titles. A title written in a different language from the one you selected can trigger a rejection. Apple's rules separate the metadata language from the audio language [4], so check both.
Examples
| Instead of | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Billie Jean (performed by Michael Jackson) | Billie Jean | Performer credits go in the artist fields, not the title. |
| "Sad But True" by Metallica | Sad But True | No quotation marks or "by Artist" in titles. |
| Forgot About Dre (Hip Hop) | Forgot About Dre | Genre goes in the genre field. |
| Artist name: "Nova Reyes Official" | Nova Reyes | "Official" isn't allowed in artist names. |
Metadata Checker →
Paste your release metadata and get every issue with its fix. Free.
Catalog Health Audit →
Score a whole catalog and find duplicate ISRCs and registration gaps.
AI Disclosure Kit →
Work out ContainsAI and credit lines for AI-assisted releases.
FAQ
Will re-uploading after a rejection get my account flagged?
Re-uploading a corrected release is the process DistroKid documents for most rejections. Fix everything in the notice, and check the rest of the release, before you resubmit so you don't get a second rejection for a different reason.
Why was my artwork rejected when it looks fine?
Common causes are low resolution or upscaling, text that isn't the artist or title, logos or URLs, stock imagery, or artwork you've already used on another release. DistroKid lists each of these as a rejection reason.
Do I need to embed metadata in my audio files?
No. DistroKid says the metadata you enter in the upload form is what streaming services use, and anything embedded in the files is ignored.
Related guides
Sources
- DistroKid Help: Handling a Rejected DistroKid Release
- DistroKid Help: Release and Track Title Formatting Issues
- DistroKid Help: Uploading (artwork and lyrics requirements)
- Apple Music Style Guide 2.4 (Apple)
Platform rules change. Each rule above is attributed to the company or standard that published it, as checked on 2026-10-21. This guide is not legal advice.