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Version: v2.0

Certification Tiers

Methodology Version

Methodology Version 2.0 — Effective February 2026

TrackForge classifies every certified track into one of four tiers based on the depth and quality of its verified metadata. The tier assigned to a track reflects how thoroughly it has been independently verified, ranging from Gold (the highest standard, with multi-source corroboration and human review) down to Declared (user-submitted data that has been cryptographically timestamped but not independently verified).

This tiered model replaces the earlier binary "Golden Record" qualification, which required all four core data points to be present. The original Golden Record criteria are now approximately equivalent to the Silver tier. The new model recognises that partial verification still has significant value — a track with a verified ISRC, duration, and identified writer is more useful than an uncertified track, even if an ISWC is not yet available.

Relationship to the Rating Methodology

These four certification tiers (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Declared) are the public-facing groupings of TrackForge's underlying six-level completeness model. The Rating Oracle evaluates each track across six granular levels (MINIMAL through FORENSIC_GRADE) and three assurance levels (Collection Ready, Certified, Litigation-Grade). The certification tiers map to the completeness levels as follows:

Certification TierUnderlying Completeness Levels
GoldGOLDEN (Level 3), COMPREHENSIVE (Level 4), FORENSIC_GRADE (Level 5)
SilverVALIDATED (Level 2)
BronzeOPERATIONAL (Level 1)
DeclaredMINIMAL (Level 0)

The six-level model provides granularity for institutional analysis (e.g., distinguishing a GOLDEN track from a FORENSIC_GRADE track), while the four-tier model provides simplicity for commercial communication. Both are derived from the same deterministic evaluation. See the Rating Methodology v1.0 for the full six-level model and assurance axis.

Tier definitions​

TierBadgeRequirementsVerification depth
GoldGoldISRC + ISWC + Duration + Writer(s) with Name, IPI, and Role + Shares sum to ~100% (within 0.5%) + 2 or more source corroborations + Human operator reviewFull independent verification with human oversight
SilverSilverISRC + ISWC + Duration + Writer(s) with Name and IPIStructurally complete composition rights verification
BronzeBronzeISRC + Duration + at least one of: ISWC or Writer with namePartial verification with documented gaps
DeclaredDeclaredISRC present; metadata submitted by the catalogue ownerCryptographically timestamped but NOT independently verified

Tier classification flow​

Gold​

The highest certification tier. A Gold track has been verified across multiple authoritative sources, has structurally complete writer ownership data (shares summing to approximately 100%), and has been reviewed and approved by a trained human operator. Gold certification represents the strongest evidentiary standard TrackForge offers.

All of the following must be satisfied:

  • Valid ISRC (ISO 3901)
  • At least one ISWC (ISO 15707)
  • Duration recorded in milliseconds
  • At least one writer with verified name, IPI number, and role
  • Writer shares sum to approximately 100% (tolerance: +/- 0.5%)
  • Metadata corroborated by two or more independent authoritative sources
  • Human operator review and approval recorded in the audit trail

Silver​

A structurally complete composition rights metadata record that has been verified through TrackForge's automated enrichment pipeline. Silver tracks have all core identifiers and at least one verified writer with an IPI number, but may lack complete share data or multi-source corroboration. This tier is equivalent to the original Golden Record standard from Methodology Version 1.0. Like all certification tiers, Silver assesses composition rights completeness; neighbouring rights (sound recording CMO registration) are assessed separately on an advisory basis.

All of the following must be satisfied:

  • Valid ISRC (ISO 3901)
  • At least one ISWC (ISO 15707)
  • Duration recorded in milliseconds
  • At least one writer with verified name and IPI number

Bronze​

A partially enriched metadata record that meets minimum certification requirements. Bronze tracks have core recording identifiers and at least some compositional data, but gaps remain. Those gaps are documented transparently in the certification.

All of the following must be satisfied:

  • Valid ISRC (ISO 3901)
  • Duration recorded in milliseconds
  • At least one of the following:
    • An ISWC (ISO 15707), or
    • A writer with a verified name

Declared​

User-submitted metadata that has been cryptographically timestamped by TrackForge but has not been independently verified through the enrichment pipeline. Declared tracks have a valid ISRC and the metadata as supplied by the catalogue owner, but TrackForge makes no representation about the accuracy of the submitted data beyond the ISRC.

Requirements:

  • Valid ISRC present
  • Metadata supplied by the submitting party
  • NOT independently verified by TrackForge

Decision process​

Each track is evaluated against the tier criteria in order from Gold (highest) to Declared (lowest). The track is assigned the highest tier whose requirements it fully satisfies. Tracks that do not meet even Declared requirements (i.e. no valid ISRC) are routed to the investigation queue.

Why these fields?​

Each required field addresses a specific failure mode in the royalty collection chain:

  • Without an ISRC, the recording cannot be matched to usage reports from streaming platforms, broadcasters, or live performance logs. Royalties for the recording cannot be identified.
  • Without an ISWC, the recording cannot be linked to the underlying composition. Mechanical royalties (owed to songwriters and publishers) cannot be routed, even if the recording itself is identified.
  • Without duration, pro-rata calculations used by many collection societies to divide royalty pools cannot be performed accurately.
  • Without a writer IPI, there is no internationally standardised way to identify the rights holder. Even if royalties are collected, they cannot be distributed to the correct party.
  • Without complete shares, it is impossible to confirm that all rights holders have been identified. Missing share allocations suggest unidentified parties.

Tier promotion​

Tracks are not permanently fixed at their assigned tier. As additional data becomes available through enrichment, manual resolution, or client submissions, a track can be promoted to a higher tier.

Common promotion paths:

FromToWhat's needed
DeclaredBronzeDuration confirmed + ISWC or writer name identified through enrichment
BronzeSilverMissing ISWC or writer IPI obtained from a PRO database or manual research
SilverGoldComplete share data, second source corroboration, and human operator review

When a track is promoted, it is re-certified at the new tier. The new certification is cryptographically linked to its predecessor via the version chain, preserving the full audit history. The original lower-tier certification remains valid as a record of the metadata at that earlier point in time.

Tracks in the investigation queue​

Tracks that do not meet even the minimum requirements for Declared certification (i.e. no valid ISRC) are routed to the investigation queue, where they may be resolved through:

  • Additional enrichment — further source consultations may supply missing data
  • Manual resolution — an operator identifies and fills gaps using PRO databases, catalogue owner records, or direct research
  • Client data requests — the catalogue owner is asked to supply missing identifiers

Once sufficient criteria are satisfied, the track is re-evaluated and assigned the appropriate tier.

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