When uploading music for distribution, releases may sometimes be rejected during the review process. Rejection does not mean your music is bad—it usually means that one or more submission guidelines were not met. Understanding the most common rejection reasons can help you fix issues quickly and get your music approved without delays.

This guide explains the most common reasons why releases are rejected on SunoDistro and how to avoid them.

1. Artwork or Cover Image Issues

Artwork-related problems are one of the most frequent rejection reasons.

Common issues include:

• Low-resolution or blurry images

• Artwork not in square format

• Logos, URLs, QR codes, or promotional text

• Copyrighted images without permission

Artwork must meet all technical and content guidelines before approval.

2. Audio Quality Problems

Audio files are carefully reviewed for quality and originality.

Rejections may occur due to:

• Distorted or clipped audio

• Low-quality MP3 files

• Long silence at the beginning or end

• Audio ripped from YouTube or other platforms

Always upload clean, professionally mastered audio.

3. Incorrect or Incomplete Metadata

Metadata errors are a major cause of rejections.

Examples include:

• Misspelled artist names

• Mismatch between artwork text and metadata

• Incorrect language or genre selection

• Adding extra words like “Official” or “New Song”

Metadata must be accurate and consistent.

4. Explicit Content Marking Errors

Explicit content must be marked correctly.

Common mistakes:

• Not marking explicit lyrics

• Marking clean songs as explicit

• Missing parental advisory selection

Incorrect explicit marking can cause platform compliance issues.

5. Copyright or Ownership Issues

You must own or have legal rights to all content you upload.

Rejections may occur if:

• Beats or samples are unlicensed

• Cover songs lack proper rights

• Lyrics are copied without permission

Unauthorized content is not allowed.

6. ISRC or UPC Code Errors

Incorrect use of ISRC or UPC codes can create confusion.

Examples:

• Reusing ISRC for different tracks

• Entering random or fake codes

• Changing codes after release

For new releases, it is best to let SunoDistro generate these codes automatically.

7. Duplicate or Previously Released Content

Uploading content that already exists on platforms without proper linking may result in rejection.

This includes:

• Re-uploading the same track as a new release

• Duplicate releases with different metadata

Previously released content must use the original ISRC and UPC.

8. Policy or Content Violations

Releases may be rejected if they violate platform policies.

Examples:

• Hate speech or violent content

• Misleading titles or artwork

• Misuse of artist names or branding

Content must follow platform standards.

How to Avoid Rejection

To reduce rejection risk:

• Follow audio and artwork guidelines

• Double-check metadata carefully

• Mark explicit content correctly

• Ensure you own all rights

• Review your release before submitting

Most rejections are fixable with small corrections.

What to Do After Rejection

If your release is rejected:

• Review the rejection reason provided

• Fix the issue carefully

• Resubmit your release

Once corrected, approval is usually fast.

Conclusion

Release rejection is a normal part of quality control in music distribution. By understanding common rejection reasons and following SunoDistro’s guidelines, you can avoid delays and ensure a smooth approval process.

Always review your release details carefully before submission to maximize approval success.