Glossary
ISRC
International Standard Recording Code — a unique 12-character identifier assigned to each recorded song or music video for tracking plays, royalties, and licensing across all platforms.
Definition
ISRC stands for International Standard Recording Code. It is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier in the format CC-XXX-YY-NNNNN, where CC is the country code, XXX is the registrant code, YY is the year, and NNNNN is a unique designation number.
Every streaming platform, collecting society, and radio broadcaster uses ISRCs to identify specific recordings. When your song gets played on Spotify, Apple Music, or radio, the ISRC is how the play gets attributed to the correct recording and the correct rights holder.
ISRCs are assigned per recording — not per song. A live version, acoustic version, and studio version of the same song each get a different ISRC. This precision is what makes royalty collection accurate across hundreds of platforms and territories.
Why it matters
Without an ISRC, your recording cannot be properly tracked. Royalties from streaming platforms, sync licensing fees, and public performance income all depend on ISRC matching. If your song gets placed in a TV show, the licensing agreement will reference the ISRC.
How Lynkify uses this
Lynkify's ISRC Finder tool lets artists look up the ISRC for any song on Spotify or Apple Music. When you create a smart link for a release, you can add the ISRC for proper metadata association.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get an ISRC for my song?
- Most music distributors (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby) automatically assign ISRCs when you distribute your music. You can also register directly with your national ISRC agency. ISRCs are free to obtain but require a registrant account.
- Can I look up the ISRC of an existing song?
- Yes. Lynkify's free ISRC Finder tool looks up ISRCs from Spotify or Apple Music links. You can also find ISRCs in Spotify for Artists under your track details.
- Is an ISRC the same as a UPC?
- No. An ISRC identifies a specific recording. A UPC (Universal Product Code) identifies a release package — the album or EP — not the individual track.