Guidelines - 1. General Rules

Valid Information Capitalization Required Fields For A New Submission Entering Releases In Multiple Languages Errors And Conflicting Information Entering Credits From External Sources Unique Releases Submission Notes Conduct Whilst Using The Database

Valid Information

1. You must have the exact release in your possession when you make a release submission. Basing your submission only on information from websites, images, or anywhere else is forbidden, as is entering information for planned releases that haven't been manufactured. Other secondary sources of information may be added, but the physical release must always be the primary source. The secondary sources of the information (for example websites, word of mouth, books etc) must be declared in the submission notes, explained in the release notes, and be verifiable as far as possible. Unsubstantiated information may be removed or rejected. External information should only be entered where it adds to the release information (for example, track names where none are given on the release). This is to ensure that only verified real releases are entered, and the data is as close as possible in relation to the physical release.

2. Any item on an audio format (as given on the formats list page) is potentially eligible for inclusion to the Discogs database. Discogs only catalogs items that have been released to the general public, either as commercially sold items, or as free give-aways. Items that are duplicated on recordable or readily reproducible media (for example CDr, MP3, or Cassette) will be held under closer scrutiny than items that are replicated on non-recordable media (for example vinyl records and 'pressed' CD's). Please include as much information as possible with the submission to establish the validity of borderline cases.

2.1 Video: Only video items that have audio as the main focus are allowed, where "audio" is either one or more complete studio recordings, one or more complete live performances. If the item still makes sense with the picture turned off, it will probably be acceptable. Please ask in the Adding & Updating Forum if you are unsure whether to submit a video or not, especially for borderline cases.

2.2 MP3, ogg-vorbis, and other file based formats: Discogs only catalogs items that have been released to the general public, either as commercially sold items, or as free give-aways. Only entire releases may be submitted, not individual tracks from (for example) an album. Due to the relatively recent emergence of digital labels, and the variety of those labels, digital releases may be held under closer scrutiny for inclusion to the database than items that are replicated on physical media (for example vinyl records and 'pressed' CD's). Please follow other users advice, and ask in the Adding & Updating forum if you are not sure. The guidelines for digital releases may be subject to further change and review.

2.3 Audio formats that don't contain audio (for example blank picture discs) are eligible for inclusion as long as they have a label / catalog number.

Capitalization

1. The standard Discogs rule for artist names, track titles, index tracks, label names, and release titles is the First Letter Of Each Word Is Capitalized.

2. Artist name particles (e.g. van, von, di, de, la, etc.) can be in lower case if the artist spells it that way consistently.

3. Artist names which have consistently unique letter-casing will also be accepted with proof that the artist uses that spelling consistently and intentionally.

4. vs. and w/ (short for 'with') are allowed in lower case, only where they are used that way on a release.

5. All other text (notes, comments etc) to follow standard English capitalization rules.

Required Fields For A New Submission

Your submission will not be accepted into the database unless it contains a certain minimum of information. The required fields are listed below, as well as the optional ones. These rules apply for all genres.

Required:

• Main Artist
• Title
• Label / Catalog Number (catalog numbers are always required. If none is present, use "none," as seen here)
• Format
• Genres
  • Style is only required when using the Electronic genre
• Tracklisting
• Artist for each track on split releases. Artist for tracks credited to other than the Main Artist.
• Remix credits and other credits that are mentioned in the track title or that are otherwise obvious must be entered as extra artist credits. For example, "Some Track (SomeArtist Remix)" must be entered as if "Remix by SomeArtist" were printed on the release.
• Main artists credits - DJ Mix, Compiled By, Composed By, Conductor, Orchestra, Soloists, Featured artist (Featuring), and Presenting artist (Presenter) - Main Artist credits are required when the main artist is not simply the performer or singer of a release, but has one of the aforementioned roles.

Optional:

• Country
• Released (The release date)
• Additional credits
• Release Notes
• Images
• Style (apart from in the Electronic genre)

Please note that you should attempt to enter as much information as possible about the release you are submitting. It is also recommended to credit any musician that isn't the main artist, and list all other relevant information stated on the release cover / booklet / label.

Please explain in the Submission Notes field if your submission lacks required information, or some aspect of the release might bring up questions for someone who does not already know the release.

Entering Releases In Multiple Languages

The default language of Discogs is English, however, Discogs supports unicode and allows submissions in any language and character set. Some releases may have entire sections of text duplicated in multiple languages - for example the tracklistings on some classical releases. For these cases, please use the following rules to decide which language to enter:

1. Use the primary language on the release (probably the same language that is used in the small print). If there is no clear primary language then...

2. Use the English version. If there is no English version then...

3. Use the language version that the releasing labels country uses.

Errors and Conflicting Information

1. The general principle of entering information into Discogs is to reflect what is written on the release as much as possible. It is important at all times to communicate the errors and nature of the correction with other users, using the release notes and the submission notes. Any doubts should be discussed in the Adding and Updating forum. If the doubt remains, the release should not be updated, but the doubt can be noted in the release notes.

2. Artist names, if the credited artist is totally incorrect, should be changed to the correct artist, and the correction explained in the release notes. Spelling and other errors in artist names must not be corrected, but instead be entered using the Artist Name Variation (ANV) function. The suspected artist name spelling error can be explained in the release notes if the submitter wants, but this isn't mandatory

3. Track titles and release titles must be entered as they appear on the release (please note specific instructions at the release title and track title guidelines), except where there is a proven error that deviates from the intent of the artist. Reasonable proof must be provided for the error correction to be accepted (for example, that you hold the release, and have checked the audio content). We require that the mislabelled track is 100% verifiable as an unaltered copy of the original track in order to allow a name correction. If the track was an altered or alternate version in any way, the altered / different name should apply unless it can be proven otherwise. Any title error that is corrected should be mentioned in the notes.

4. Incorrect tracklists can be changed to reflect what is really on the release, but again the errors that have been corrected must be entered into the notes.

5. Conflicting information printed on different parts of the release, for example the release title is different on the cover, on the spine, and on the CD itself; The most complete and correct version should be chosen. If it is not apparent which is the most complete and correct, the boldest version should be chosen (for example, the artist name on the cover of the release, the tracklist on the rear of the release etc). Again, any differences must be explained in the release notes.

Entering Credits From External Sources

1. Credits that do not appear on the release can be added only under certain circumstances. The (credible) credit source must be stated in the submission notes, and the credit must be labeled with [Uncredited] in brackets after the credit role. If other text is used in the credit brackets, the 'Uncredited' must have a comma separating it from the other text. Credits should not be transferred internally from release to release.

 

Unique Releases

Discogs allows the entering of all versions of a release, such as white labels, reissues, different artwork, format variations, coloured vinyl, different country pressings etc.

In order for these to be accepted, you must provide enough information to distinguish the different versions of a release. It may be important to provide as much information as possible for major label releases, such as barcodes, matrix numbers, publishing/copyright dates, and any other identifiable marks. This is possible in the release notes field for the moment.

If the difference is subtle, you must explain the difference in the release notes, or with images, or by any other effective means, in order that future users can tell their versions apart by referring to the entry in Discogs.

Items can be submitted before the release date, but you must always have the physical copy in your possession when submitting.

Items such as cut outs (where a normal release has a section of the sleeve cut, denoting a price cut item), items that have otherwise been marked or altered after release, differences in releases with hand-made artwork that are part of the same edition, and individually numbered items on otherwise identical copies will not be allowed as unique releases.

Rules for splitting items already in the database into unique releases

• If a release is currently for a retail release and also a white label / promo, the existing release should be kept for the retail version, and the white label / promo should be made as a new submission.
• If a release contains multiple versions (for example, different coloured vinyl versions, reissues, or different country or region versions), the most common version should remain as the existing release, and the less common versions should be split off into new releases.
• You MUST have the version you're creating in your possession whilst splitting. Do not use the existing release notes as proof of the different versions. If there are multiple different versions of a release, and you only have one of them, only submit the one you have.
• The existing release should be updated after a new version is accepted to the database to make it clear it does not represent the newly added version. For example, if there is a note stating the record is also available as a pink vinyl promo and the pink vinyl promo is now a separate release, the notes need to be removed from the original submission
• Do not keep credits that are not present on the version of the release you are submitting. If the promo version lacks extra artists, remove those credits, as the retail version could have involved different musicians or technical people. The only credits that could remain would be vocal credits, where you can tell that the same singer, rapper or other vocalist is present on the new submission as is on the original. As with any uncredited role included on a submission, add [Uncredited] after the role.
• Be careful with the format and track numbering. If copying a CD for a vinyl version, make sure the tracks are numbered in such a way that represent which tracks are on each side, and make sure any track-specific credits in the release-wide credit section are updated accordingly. Also watch for track order changes when changing formats.
• Be careful with the release date, as promotional releases are almost always available before the retail versions, and should not keep the original release date. If no release date information is present on a release variation, or you cannot find reliable information elsewhere, you could assume that the year would be the same. If the retail version came out at the beginning of a calendar year, you could assume the promo came out the year prior. But if you are uncertain, do not include a release date.

Submission Notes

1. This section can be used to communicate with other users who may be reviewing your submission. Please describe anything that may be potentially confusing about the release (such as artists or labels new to the database, intentional typos, etc). You may also use this section to respond to comments from other users when resubmitting a rejected release, or further clarify requested comments. Please make maximum use of this - If in doubt, put it in the Submission Notes!

Conduct Whilst Using The Database

1. Please be helpful and polite to other people. Do your best to submit according to the guidelines. Take care when altering the data, explain your edits when needed, respect the database, be open to discussion, and ask in the forums regarding any difficult areas if necessary.

2. Never submit false releases and updates, releases from memory, releases from internet sites etc. Do not curse, lose your temper, call names, or otherwise cause the submission process to be unpleasant or frustrating for others. You should never continue submitting a release or update that you have been advised are incorrect, or flood the site with incorrect or malicious submissions, updates, comments, spam etc., or otherwise attempt to corrupt the data, or cause obstruction to the submission and review processes. Discogs reserves the right to take whatever action necessary to protect the database and the general Discogs community from such behavior.