An ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier) is a unique 16-digit identifier assigned to public identities of creators and contributors in the creative industries. It is the global ISO-certified standard (ISO 27729) for identifying artists, songwriters, producers, labels, and other music professionals.
In music, an ISNI helps consistently identify you (or your band/project) across streaming platforms, databases, distributors, rights organizations, and libraries worldwide.
How ISNI Relates to Music Distribution
When distributing music to platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and others, accurate metadata is essential. An ISNI helps connect your artist name to your releases so your music is correctly attributed.
It works alongside other identifiers:
- ISRC – Identifies individual sound recordings
- ISWC – Identifies musical compositions
- IPI/IPN – Used for publishing rights
ISNI specifically identifies the person or public identity (the artist/band), making it useful for artist branding and catalog organization.
Why Having an ISNI is Important
- Prevents confusion with other artists who have similar or identical names
- Helps streaming platforms build accurate artist profiles and improve discoverability
- Improves data accuracy across distributors, DSPs, and rights organizations
- Supports better royalty tracking and proper credit attribution globally
- Becomes increasingly relevant as your career grows and your music reaches more platforms and territories
Important Note: Many Artists Don’t Have One
You do not need an ISNI to distribute and release music.
The vast majority of independent and emerging artists successfully release music without an ISNI. These identifiers are primarily used by established artists, those signed to labels, or creators with large catalogs and international presence. Major labels often request or assign them in bulk for their roster.
If you’re an independent artist just starting out or releasing on a smaller scale, it’s completely normal not to have one. You can still distribute your music effectively using your stage name and other basic metadata.