Where to find the artist name setting in DistroKid

Log into your DistroKid account and go to the Account menu in the top right corner. Select Account Settings, then click the Artist tab. You will see a field labeled Artist Name — this is the name that appears on all your releases across streaming platforms. Type your new name directly into this field and click Save.

The change takes effect when ready in your DistroKid dashboard, but it does not retroactively change the artist name on releases you have already distributed. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other platforms will show your updated name on new releases you distribute after you make the change.

Key Takeaways

  • Your artist name in DistroKid's Account Settings controls what name appears on all future releases you distribute.
  • Changing your artist name does not update the name on releases already live on streaming platforms — only new releases will show the new name.
  • If you want to change the artist name on an existing release, you must contact DistroKid support or re-upload the release with the corrected metadata.
  • Artist name changes can take a few hours to sync across DistroKid's system before they appear on new uploads.

Why your old releases keep the old artist name

Streaming platforms treat each release as a permanent record once it is live. When you change your artist name in DistroKid, the platform applies that name only to releases you upload after the change. Releases that are already distributed and live on Spotify, Apple Music, and other services retain the artist name that was attached to them at the time of upload.

This is a deliberate design — it prevents accidental changes to your discography and protects listener history. If someone has saved your song under the old artist name, that link does not break when you change your name in DistroKid.

How to update the artist name on releases already distributed

If you need to change the artist name on a release that is already live, you have two options. The first is to contact DistroKid support through the Help section in your account. Explain which release needs the name change and provide the correct artist name. Support can sometimes update this on the backend, though response time varies.

The second option is to re-upload the release with the correct artist name in the metadata. Before you do this, unpublish the old version from your DistroKid dashboard by clicking the release and selecting Delete. Wait 24 to 48 hours for the old version to fully disappear from streaming platforms, then upload the release again with the new artist name. This creates a fresh entry on each platform, so listeners will see it as a new release rather than an update to the old one.

Re-uploading means you lose the play history and chart position of the original release, so only do this if the artist name error is significant enough to warrant starting over.

Syncing your name across multiple platforms

DistroKid distributes to over 150 platforms, and each one syncs artist name changes on its own schedule. Spotify and Apple Music typically update within a few hours to a day. Smaller platforms like Bandcamp, YouTube Music, and Tidal may take longer — sometimes up to a week. Amazon Music and TikTok usually update within 24 to 48 hours.

You can check the status of your artist profile on each platform by searching for your name directly. If a platform still shows the old name after a week, log into that platform's artist dashboard (if available) and update your profile name there as well. Some platforms like Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists let you manage your artist profile independently of DistroKid.

What happens if you use a stage name or brand name

Your artist name in DistroKid should match the name you want to appear on all your releases. If you perform under a stage name, use that name in the Artist Name field. If you are part of a group or collective, use the group name. DistroKid does not distinguish between legal names and stage names — whatever you enter is what gets distributed.

If you later want to release music under a different name, you have two paths. You can create a second DistroKid account under that new artist name, or you can change your existing account's artist name and treat all future releases as coming from the new name. Most musicians who release under multiple names use separate accounts to keep their catalogs organized and to maintain separate streaming profiles.

Avoiding common mistakes when changing your artist name

Do not change your artist name right before uploading a release unless you are certain about the new name. Once a release is live, changing the name again requires either contacting support or re-uploading, both of which take time and effort. Test the new name by searching for it on Spotify or Apple Music to make sure no other artist is using it — if someone else has the same name, your releases may get mixed into their profile or vice versa.

If you are changing your name because you are rebranding, give yourself at least a week before uploading new music. This gives the old name time to fully disappear from streaming platforms and prevents confusion where some of your releases appear under the old name and some under the new one. Update your social media, website, and artist bio at the same time so listeners can find you under your new name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have two different artist names in one DistroKid account?

No. DistroKid uses a single artist name per account, and all releases from that account are distributed under that name. If you want to release music under two different names, you need two separate DistroKid accounts. Each account has its own subscription and distributes independently to streaming platforms.

How long does it take for a new artist name to show up on Spotify?

Usually between a few hours and 24 hours. Spotify syncs artist metadata regularly, but the exact timing depends on when your next release is processed. If you change your name and then upload a new release, the new name will appear on that release almost when ready. Existing releases keep the old name.

Will changing my artist name affect my streaming numbers or followers?

Your total streams and follower count stay with your artist profile on each platform, not with the name itself. If you change your name in DistroKid and upload a new release, that release appears under the new name but links to your existing artist profile, so your history remains intact. However, if you re-upload an old release with a new name, it creates a separate entry and you lose the play history on that specific song.

What if I want to change my artist name back to what it was before?

straightforward go back to Account Settings in DistroKid, change the artist name back, and save. The change takes effect on all future releases. Your old releases will still show the name they were originally uploaded under. If you want the old releases to show the original name again, you would need to re-upload them.

Does DistroKid charge a fee to change my artist name?

No. Changing your artist name in DistroKid is free and can be done as many times as you want. There are no additional charges beyond your regular DistroKid subscription.