Glossary / Streaming

Industry terms

DSP

DSP (digital service provider) is the industry's name for streaming services and digital stores, like Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Music and YouTube Music.

Also called: digital service provider, streaming service, streaming platform

By Aulto · Last reviewed

Why does the industry say DSP?

It covers every place music is sold or streamed digitally in one word. Distributors deliver releases "to DSPs", and labels "pitch to DSPs" for playlists.

Which DSPs matter in India?

Spotify, JioSaavn, YouTube Music, Apple Music and Amazon Music, with regional differences by language and audience.

Example

A distributor's release form asks which DSPs to deliver to. Most artists pick all of them.

  • Smart link

    A smart link is one web address for a release that sends each listener to the streaming app they already use.

  • ISRC

    An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a 12-character code that identifies one specific recording, so its plays and sales can be tracked and paid.

  • UPC

    A UPC is the barcode number that identifies a whole release (a single, EP or album), while each track on it has its own ISRC.

  • 30-second rule

    On Spotify, a play counts as a stream once someone has listened to a track for 30 seconds or more.

  • Algorithmic playlist

    An algorithmic playlist is made automatically for each listener from what they play, like Spotify's Release Radar and Discover Weekly.

  • Editorial playlist

    An editorial playlist is a playlist picked by a streaming service's own team of editors, as opposed to one generated by its algorithm or made by users.

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