How to Get Your Music on Spotify: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finishing a track is one milestone. Getting it in front of listeners on Spotify is the next, and the route there isn't obvious if you've never released anything before. There's no upload button in the Spotify app for your new single.

I've worked through Spotify for Artists' own help pages to put the steps in order, from choosing how your music gets delivered to pitching a song to Spotify's editors. Spotify updates its tools from time to time, so if a menu looks different, check the current help article.

Why Spotify asks artists to use a music distributor

Spotify's help page is clear on the first step: to get your music on Spotify, you work with a distributor. Distributors handle the delivery of your music to the platform. If you have a record deal, Spotify says your label most likely already works with a distributor who can deliver your releases for you.

Spotify links to its own list of preferred and recommended distributors, which it says meet its highest standards for quality metadata and anti-infringement measures. It also points out that each service is different, so it's worth doing a little research before you pick one. If the term's new to you, my explainer on what a music distributor does covers the basics.

Get your Spotify release ready before you deliver it

Before you hand anything to a distributor, have these pieces ready. Most of them become part of your release's metadata, which Spotify shows exactly as it's delivered:

• Your final mixed and mastered audio files.
• Cover art that meets Spotify's cover art requirements, which are set out in a separate help article.
• Every artist who contributed, with the order their names should appear.
• Credits for the roles involved, such as main and featured artists, producers, composers and lyricists.
• Which tracks contain explicit content.
• The countries where the release should be available, or worldwide.
• Your chosen release date.

Getting your Spotify metadata right first time

Spotify's metadata guidelines say your label or distributor sets the metadata before delivery, and Spotify displays the music exactly as delivered. If something's wrong later, the fix has to come through your label or distributor as an update. So it saves time and stress to get it right first. The guidelines include these points:

• Enter each artist in a separate field rather than lumping names together.
• Keep spelling and formatting of names consistent across every release, including punctuation and abbreviations.
• Don't put artist names in track or release titles; use the credit fields instead.
• Spotify won't allow artist names that are search keyword phrases, such as music for sleep.
• Mark explicit tracks with the explicit flag. Spotify adds an E symbol itself, so don't type one into the title.

Choosing a release date that gives Spotify editors time

Spotify's guidelines ask you to allow a few days for your distributor to deliver new music, and to set your release date at least 7 days in advance. That week matters, because it's the window you need to pitch an unreleased song to Spotify's playlist editors.

In practice, that means delivering early rather than the night before. If you leave it until the last minute, the song may go live before you've had the chance to pitch it.

Claiming your Spotify for Artists profile

Spotify for Artists is where you manage your profile and pitch your music. According to Spotify's help page, you can get access in a few ways:

1. Submit an access request for your artist profile and add a link to your official website or social media so Spotify can verify you. Requests are checked by hand, so approval can take several days.
2. If you deliver through one of Spotify's listed partner distributors, submit the request and access is granted automatically.
3. If your profile's already been claimed, ask the team's admin to invite you, or contact Spotify support if you can't reach them.
4. Before your first release, ask your label or distributor for your artist link or URI, then contact Spotify support with that link and the UPC or EAN barcode of your upcoming release.

Spotify notes that only one claim can be active on a profile at a time. While a claim's under review, nobody else can submit one, and you'll get an email if it's rejected explaining what to do next.

Pitching your song to Spotify playlist editors

Once you're in, Spotify lets you pitch one unreleased song to its editors. Its help page sets out the steps:

1. Log in to Spotify for Artists.
2. Go to Music, then Upcoming.
3. Choose a song and fill in the pitch form. Spotify says more detail gives your song a better chance.

Pitch at least 7 days before release and Spotify will add the song to your followers' Release Radar playlists. If you're eligible, you can also pin it to your This Is playlist. A few limits apply: you can only pitch one song at a time, you can't pitch compilations or songs where you're a featured artist, and you can't pitch a song after it's been released. You can edit your pitch up to release day, though Spotify says editors may not see the changes. A pitch doesn't guarantee a playlist place, and editors may pick a different song from the one you sent.

Spotify release mistakes that slow artists down

• Releasing with no lead time. Without at least 7 days, you lose the chance to pitch.
• Inconsistent artist names. Spotify asks for the same spelling and formatting on every release.
• Keyword-stuffed names or titles. Spotify's guidelines don't allow them.
• Fixing metadata in the wrong place. Changes go through your distributor or label, not Spotify directly.
• Forgetting to claim your profile. Without Spotify for Artists, you can't pitch or manage your page.

Sharing your music story beyond Spotify

Streaming is only one part of building an audience. Writing about how you made a record, or what you learned releasing it, helps new listeners find you through search as well.

Musicians who write about the industry can share their story through music blogs that accept artist articles.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upload music to Spotify myself?

Spotify asks artists to work with a distributor, or a label that uses one, to get music onto the platform, rather than uploading it directly through the app.

How far ahead should I schedule a Spotify release?

Spotify recommends setting your release date at least 7 days ahead and allowing a few days for your distributor to deliver it.

Do I need Spotify for Artists to release music?

Your distributor gets the music onto Spotify, but you'll need Spotify for Artists to manage your profile and pitch songs to editors.

Can I pitch a song that's already out?

No. Spotify only accepts pitches for unreleased songs, and you can pitch one song at a time.

Does pitching guarantee a Spotify playlist?

No. Spotify says a pitch doesn't guarantee placement, though songs pitched at least 7 days early go into followers' Release Radar playlists.