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Avoid naming short versions “Radio Edit”

Learn why you shouldn’t name your shorter / streaming version “Radio Edit” – and what to use instead to improve editorial potential on streaming platforms.

Michael Ritter avatar
Written by Michael Ritter
Updated over 3 weeks ago

In electronic music (and some other genres), it’s common to see this pattern:

  • Long DJ-friendly version = Original Mix

  • Short streaming version = Radio Edit

It makes sense historically (because the long version feels like “the original”), but in our experience, using “Radio Edit” for your main streaming version can reduce visibility and editorial potential.

Why “Radio Edit” can be problematic on streaming

1) Platforms interpret it as a secondary version

Streaming metadata guidance generally expects the standard/original version to be delivered without extra version info (for example, not “Original Mix” in the title/version fields). So when a track shows up as “Radio Edit,” it can look like a secondary version – even when it’s actually your primary version on streaming platforms!

This impression can also carry over to fans, who may assume they’re not hearing the “main” version (even though, on streaming, the short version is the primary version).

2) Editorial playlists rarely display tracks labeled as “Radio Edit.”

If you scan Spotify editorial playlists (for example, Electronic Rising), you’ll see mostly clean titles for the shorter versions, with only occasional “Radio Edit” usage – it’s not the common/preferred naming pattern.

Best practice naming (what we recommend)

When you’re uploading both versions to the same release in SoundSystem, we recommend:

  • Short version (streaming-friendly): Original Mix

  • Long version (DJ-friendly): Extended Mix

Note: On the major streaming platforms, the mix version “Original Mix” will NOT appear to listeners. Only the track title will appear.

How to fix it in SoundSystem

If you’ve already entered “Radio Edit,” fix it before release whenever possible:

  1. Find the release in SoundSystem and click Edit/Fix

  2. Navigate to the track that’s labeled Radio Edit.

  3. Update the mix version from Radio Edit to Original Mix.

  4. Make sure your long DJ-friendly version is labeled Extended Mix. (This might be a requirement for our system to allow step 3 due to duplicate naming restrictions!)

If the release is locked due to the shipping period, contact Support using the chat icon in the bottom right corner so they can help submit a correction.
(You can also email support@protonradio.com if needed.)

Pro tips for short + long versions

  • Ship both versions to streaming platforms. This increases total plays and gives dedicated fans access to the full-length version. Plus, DJ apps increasingly pull from Spotify, so having the longer version available there matters.

  • Put all short versions first in the tracklist, then all long versions at the end (when delivering both to streaming). This prevents fans from hearing the same song back-to-back, which keeps them engaged with the full release.

  • If you're pitching in Spotify for Artists, pitch the short version (typically higher editorial potential and better listener retention).

  • You can control where each version goes:

    • Hide short versions from DJ stores like Beatport (strongly recommended)

    • Hide long versions from streaming platforms like Spotify / Apple Music (mild recommendation – though as noted above, shipping both versions to streaming has advantages)

If you’re setting up short + long versions and want to control where they ship, this guide will help!
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We won’t force this — we just want you to know :)

We’re not blocking “Radio Edit.” But based on what we see across deliveries and pitching workflows, avoiding “Radio Edit” for the short/streaming version typically improves editorial potential.

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