Identifiers
UPC
A UPC is the unique code that identifies a release — an album, EP, or single — so stores, platforms, and charts can track and report it as a single product.
The Universal Product Code (UPC) — sometimes an EAN outside the US — identifies a release as a whole: an album, EP, or single. It's the barcode-level ID stores, streaming platforms, and the charts use to track and report your release as one product.
UPC vs. ISRC
The UPC sits one level up from the ISRC: the UPC is the release, the ISRC is each recording inside it. A 10-track album has one UPC and ten ISRCs. (The ISRC page compares all the music codes side by side.)
Why it matters
Charts and stores aggregate sales and streams by UPC, so a correct, single UPC per release keeps your numbers from being split across duplicate products. Each single, EP, and album needs its own.
How Notes handles it
Notes assigns a UPC to every release it distributes, with credits and ISRCs attached, so sales and plays report cleanly to the right release.
Good to know
UPC: common questions
- UPC vs. ISRC — what's the difference?
- A UPC identifies the whole release (album, EP, or single); an ISRC identifies each recording within it. A 10-track album has one UPC and ten ISRCs.
- Do I need to buy my own UPC?
- No — your distributor assigns one automatically. Notes adds a UPC to every release so it's tracked correctly across stores and charts.