5 Reasons You Might Be Missing Out on Music Royalties

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Introduction

You’ve released music, you’re getting streams, maybe even some radio play — but your bank balance doesn’t reflect it. If you’ve ever wondered, “Where are my royalties?” you’re not alone.

Here are the five most common reasons artists miss out on money, and how you can avoid falling into the black box.

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1. Not Registered with a PRO

• If your songs aren’t registered with a Performing Rights Organisation (like PRS, ASCAP, BMI), publishing royalties won’t reach you.

• Many artists think distributors handle this — they don’t.

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2. META DATA MISTAKES

• Wrong ISRC codes, misspelled names, or missing splits = royalties can’t be matched.

• Songtrust calls metadata “the biggest leak in music royalties.”

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3. DISTRIBUTORS ONLY PAY RECORDING ROYALTIES

• Services like DistroKid, TuneCore, and CD Baby pay out recording income.

• Publishing income is separate — if it isn’t collected, it falls into the black box.

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4. GLOBAL ROYALTIES GET LOST IN TRANSLATION

• Plays in Germany, France, or Brazil may not flow back to your home PRO.

• That money sits unclaimed unless you’re registered globally.

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5. DEADLINES EXPIRE

• Some societies allow only 3 years to claim royalties. After that, they’re gone.

• Example: PRS redistributes unclaimed funds after a set period.

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how to fix it

• Register with your PRO and make sure metadata is clean.

• Audit your catalogue regularly.

• Work with a service like Earned to recover and track royalties worldwide.

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