How do I label explicit content correctly?

If your music contains strong language, or references to violence, sex, or substance abuse, it must be marked as explicit during the submission process to avoid removal from our partners' platforms.

This article explains how to label explicit content properly and what to do if your release is incorrectly flagged. 

Why explicit labeling matters

• Digital music platforms like Apple Music and Spotify use parental controls to prevent explicit content from being shown to younger audiences. 
• If your release isn’t properly labeled, it may be removed from these stores after delivery. 
• Correct labeling ensures your music reaches the right audience and complies with partner requirements.

How to label a track as "Explicit"

When submitting your release, go to the track information page during setup. Use the checkbox to mark any track that contains explicit content:

The label will appear as "Explicit" or "Parental Advisory" depending on the store.

How the "Clean" tag works

A "Clean" tag is only applied when a release has a corresponding explicit version. If a song doesn't have an explicit version, no "Clean" or "Explicit" tag is applied at all.

Titles vs. tags

DSP style guides require that "Clean" and "Explicit" stay out of titles and be applied as tags instead. Both versions of the album keep the same title, and the DSPs separate them for listeners based on the tag.

What if my track is incorrectly labeled?

If your release is mistakenly marked as explicit—or not marked when it should be—you can request a correction. Submit a request here.