Database FAQ

In this document we have collected some common questions about the Discogs Database. We hope that this information is helpful to you! Make sure to also view our Guides For New Users if you would like to start contributing.

Q: How can I contribute to the Discogs Database?
ADiscogs is a user built website. To help Discogs catalog music and other audio releases, everyone is encouraged to contribute and update information as needed. When contributing to Discogs, please follow the guidelines below:

  1. First of all, you will need a user account. If you don't have one already, you can sign up here for free.
  2. The Add Release Form allows you to add releases. This is the main focus of the Database, and is the only way to add new artists and labels. For the sake of accuracy, you must only add releases you have in your possession.
  3. The "Edit" link at the right-hand side of each page allows you to update a release, artist or label, and add or change images. Submissions may be updated at any time.
  4. Please read the Quick Start Guide For New Contributors for an introduction to submitting, and please check the full guidelines for details. If you have additional questions, you should use the Database Forum to ask for help.

Q: How can I create a Master release in the Database? 
A: To create a new Master release, click Create Master release on the left hand side of the Artist page menu. Select each release you want to add to the Master release by ticking the box next to the year on the right side and it will appear in the "Contained Releases" panel at the bottom. The radio buttons on the left side of the list are used to select which one is the Key release. This release is the one that Discogs will pull the release title and image from for the Master release display. Please try to select the Key release that best represents the title and image for all the releases in the master release, with title taking priority. After the list of releases is completed to your satisfaction, add a submission note if needed (this is NOT required for Master release, but please use it if you want to mention anything to other users), and click "Create". The system will run an error check on the format descriptions. If all is well, click to reload the page and view Master release. More details on the Master release process can be found in the Master release guidelines.

Q: What is the Contributor Improvement Program (CIP) and how can I get out of it?
A: The Contributor Improvement Program (CIP) is an automated system check of your release submissions. To be taken out of the CIP, you must receive correct votes on your submissions and submission updates. When enough positive votes have been received, the system will lift your CIP block. You can read an explanation of the CIP program, and how to be get out of it, in our document How Can I Get Removed From The CIP? 

When asking for votes on your existing submissions, please be sure to use this thread in the Voting & Checking Information Forum.

You may also ask for assistance in the Mentors And Protégés group. 

Q: Who created an account for me on your site?
A: The artist / label discographies are not accounts, they are lists of releases that have been entered to the site. User accounts are separate from artist and label profiles. Please see the following document for more information: FAQ For Artists And Labels

Q: What do the color codes in the Database mean?
A: The color codes in the Database are used to identify the status of a submission.
-- Yellow means the submission has not yet been voted on.
-- Red means the submission has been voted on and needs changes.
-- No Color means the submission has been voted completely correct - all information in the submission is correct.
-- Grey means that a submission which has been voted completely correct has been edited afterwards.

Q: Why is my submission not visible in the Database? 
A: Your submission may still be in Draft version. You can view all your Drafts here.

In order to make your submission visible in the Database, first go to the submission draft and from here click the Preview / Submit button. This will allow you to see any possible submission errors and you can either correct them or mark them as checked. Once you have addressed any possible errors, a Submit button will appear. Click the Submit button to make the submission visible in the Database. To see an example of this process, please see our Quick Start Guide For New Contributors.

                                                                                                                                               

Still have questions? Submit a request.

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