Spotify is the largest music platform in the world; through it, artists can reach millions of listeners easily with the purpose of growing and furthering their careers. If you’re just getting started with music distribution, then you might think you can directly upload your tracks onto Spotify. It’s rather different. Spotify doesn’t allow artists to upload music directly from a computer or phone; they do require a music distributor.
This is a step-by-step guide in which everything has been explained in the simplest of steps, so by the time you’re done, you’ll know exactly how to release your music on Spotify and make it ready for listeners from all over the world.
What You Need Before Uploading Music
Before uploading your track, prepare some things in advance to give you an easy, professional, and clean release without any delay.
1. High-Quality Song File
Export your track as a WAV, in the highest quality possible, for distribution. Most distributors prefer
WAV file
16-bit or 24-bit
44.1 kHz
These settings will keep your music clear and smooth when streamed.
2. A Clean and Correct Title
Double-check that you spell your song title correctly. Don’t use extra symbols or emojis unless it’s a part of your branding. Your title is going to appear everywhere, so make it simple and readable.
3. Artist Name
Determine how you would like your artist name to appear in Spotify. Once you have started releasing tracks under that title, it is very hard to change it, so choose something representative of you.
4. Cover Art
Your cover art should meet Spotify’s specifications. Most distributors will require:
3000 x 3000 pixels
JPG or PNG
No blurry images.
No social media logos
No copyright material.
Then choose a layout that is easily read and clean – something that will not distract from your song.
Why You Need a Music Distributor
Spotify, among others, doesn’t allow direct uploading; that’s where music distributors come in: they are your bridge to digital streaming platforms.
A distributor sends your music to
Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube Music
Amazon Music
Deezer
TikTok
Instagram
They also collect your streaming revenues and pay you.
Popular Music Distributors
Some of the most common distributors include:
DistroKid
TuneCore
CD Baby
Amuse
UnitedMasters
Ditto Music
Most new artists use DistroKid, as it is quick and easy; they all work quite well. You’ll want to choose based on budget and needs.
How to Upload Music Using a Distributor
Specific instructions depend on the distributor one will choose, but the overall outline would be similar. A somewhat simplified overview of the process would look like this:
Step 1: Creating an Account
Sign up on the distributor website. You may be asked to choose one of several variants of subscription plans it offers. Most of these distributors charge an annual fee; a few will take a cut of your revenues.
Step 2: Create a New Release
Click on “Upload music”, “Create release”, or “New project”.
Step 3: Add Your Song Details
You would have to fill in
Song title
Artist name
Featured artists (if any)
Genre
Language
Release date
Whether it contains explicit content
Mind the spelling, please. Everything you write here appears just the way you enter it on Spotify.
Step 4: Upload Your Audio File
Upload your WAV file; the distributor will check whether it is in the correct format. If too loud or too soft, adjust this before uploading.
Step 5: Upload Cover Art
Upload your cover image. It should be within the size parameters set by the distributor, or they will contact you requesting revision.
Step 6: Selection of Platforms
Most of the distributors will provide you with an option of choosing where your music will go. All you have to do is select Spotify among those you would like your music on.
Step 7: Select a Release Date
You can instantly release your track or schedule a later date. The majority of the artists like to choose a date in the future, usually 2 to 4 weeks ahead. That gives some time for Spotify to process the song, and it is also a good chance to pitch your song to playlists.
Step 8: Submit Your Release
Fill everything out and click submit. Your distributor will send your music on to Spotify for them to approve. The approval process generally takes a few days.
Claim Your Spotify for Artists Profile
Once your music gets approved, you should claim your artist profile. That’s where you manage your presence on Spotify.
How to Claim Your Profile
Go to the Spotify for Artists website,
Click “Claim Your Profile.”
Find your name by artist.
Prove that you are the real artist.
You can, in fact, view and confirm your streaming data, playlist information, and much more.
Set up Your Spotify Artist Profile
Your Spotify artist profile is your Spotify home. A great profile will help to attract listeners to you and make you look professional.
Add:
A clear profile picture
A little biography-small and simple.
Links to your social media
Your latest release
Artist pick: a featured song or playlist
Canvas videos for your tracks
Upcoming Shows (optional)
Keep your profile active and up-to-date.
Pitch Your Song to Spotify Playlists
With Spotify for Artists, you can upload unreleased tracks for editorial playlist consideration, an amazing way to grow your audience.
To pitch your song:
Log in to Spotify for Artists.
Go to “Music.”
Click “Upcoming.”
Click “Pitch a Song.”
Fill in the details for mood, genre, instruments and culture:
The more information you can provide, the better chance your song gets considered. Even if your song is not selected, your followers still get it in their Release Radar playlist.
Promote Your Song After Uploading
It’s not just about uploading; it’s about promotion that puts your music in front of real people.
Promotion Tips
Share your song link on social media.
Make short videos on Tiktok or Instagram Reels.
Reach out to playlist curators
Collab with other artists
Run small advertisements, if you are within your budget.
Share behind-the-scenes clips.
Create a lyric video or visualizer.
The more places your song shows up, the more people will discover it.
How Long Does Music Take to Appear on Spotify?
Most distributors take 2-7 days to send your music to Spotify. Sometimes these may even take longer, depending on how busy the season is. Because of this, it is advisable that you upload your song early to avoid any delay. If you’d like to pitch your track, make sure to schedule your release date at least a week in advance. Most artists like to release 3-4 weeks after uploading.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Following are a few mistakes new artists make in uploading their music:
Poor audio quality
Choosing a confusing artist name
Uploading copyrighted cover art
Setting the wrong release date
Uploading with spelling errors
Not claiming Spotify for Artists
Promotion skipping
By using fake streams or bots
Avoid these, and your release will go through as smoothly and professionally as possible.
Final Thoughts
Uploading music to Spotify is relatively quite easy once you know how that works. You’ll need a music distributor, a professional song file, clean cover art, and the right information. Once your track is approved, set up your Spotify for Artists account and pitch your track to playlists. The most important part with any music release is consistency. Keep creating tracks, stay active, and promote your music. And over time, you’ll build your following and reach more listeners all around the world.