How to Submit Music to Spotify: Full Guide

Getting your music onto Spotify means it’s available to millions of listeners worldwide, and it’s a key step for any independent artist. This guide walks you through the entire process, from choosing a distributor to optimizing your release for maximum visibility. You’ll need your finished, mastered audio files, cover art, and metadata like song titles and artist names ready before you start.

What You’ll Need

Finished, mastered audio files (WAV or FLAC recommended, at least 16-bit/44.1kHz)
Square cover art (minimum 3000×3000 pixels, JPG or PNG, under 20MB)
Accurate metadata: song titles, artist name(s), album name, release date, genre
An account with a music distributor (see Step 1)
A payment method for any distributor fees (some are free)
Optional: ISRC codes (distributors usually generate these for free)

Step-by-Step

Choose a music distributor. Spotify does not accept direct uploads from artists. You must go through a distributor that delivers your music to Spotify and other platforms. Popular options include DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, and Amuse. Compare their pricing (annual fees vs. one-time vs. free) and royalty splits before choosing.
Create an account with your chosen distributor. Sign up with your email, set up your artist profile, and verify your identity. You’ll likely need to provide your legal name, address, and tax information (like a W-9 for US artists) for royalty payments.
Start a new release. In your distributor’s dashboard, look for a button like “Upload Music” or “New Release.” Choose whether it’s a single, EP, or album.
Upload your audio files. Upload the final mastered tracks. Make sure the files are high quality and properly named (e.g., “01 – Song Title.wav”). Double-check that the audio levels are consistent and there are no glitches.
Enter your metadata. Fill in the song title, artist name (exactly as you want it to appear), album name, record label (if any), and primary genre. This information must be accurate and consistent across all platforms.
Upload cover art. Upload your square cover image. It must meet Spotify’s specs: at least 3000×3000 pixels, JPG or PNG format, and under 20MB. Avoid blurry images, text that is too small, and misleading imagery.
Set a release date. Choose your release date carefully. If you select a future date, Spotify will hold the release until that day. We recommend setting it at least 2-3 weeks in advance to allow time for pitching to playlists and building pre-save campaigns.
Select territories and stores. Decide which countries you want your music available in (usually all territories) and which streaming platforms to deliver to. Spotify will be automatically included, but you can also choose Apple Music, Amazon, etc.
Add collaborators and credits (optional). If you worked with other artists, producers, or songwriters, you can add them as collaborators. This is important for proper credit and royalty splits.
Submit for playlist consideration (optional but recommended). If you have a Spotify for Artists account, you can pitch your unreleased track to Spotify’s editorial playlist curators. You’ll need to do this at least 7 days before your release date. This is done directly through Spotify for Artists, not your distributor.
Review and submit. Carefully review all the information you’ve entered. Check for typos in song titles, artist names, and credits. Once you’re satisfied, submit the release to your distributor.
Pay any fees. Depending on your distributor, you may need to pay an annual fee or a per-release fee. Some services take a percentage of your royalties instead. Complete the payment process.
Wait for distribution. Your distributor will send your music to Spotify and other stores. This typically takes a few days to a week. You’ll receive a confirmation email when it’s live.
Claim your Spotify for Artists profile. Once your music is live, go to artists.spotify.com and claim your profile. This gives you access to analytics, the ability to edit your bio and photos, and the pitch tool for future releases.

Common Mistakes

Uploading low-quality audio. Use high-resolution files (WAV or FLAC) to avoid compression artifacts.
Cover art that doesn’t meet specs. Blurry, pixelated, or incorrectly sized images will be rejected. Always use 3000×3000 pixels.
Incorrect metadata. Misspelled song titles or artist names are hard to fix later and can confuse listeners. Double-check everything.
Setting a release date too soon. You need time for your distributor to process the release and for you to pitch to playlists. Give yourself at least 2-3 weeks.
Forgetting to claim your Spotify for Artists profile. Without it, you can’t see your stats or pitch to playlists.
Uploading the same song under different artist names. This splits your streams and confuses Spotify’s algorithm. Use one consistent artist name.

Tips

Pitch to editorial playlists. Use the Spotify for Artists pitch tool for every release, even if you think it’s a long shot. It’s free and can lead to major exposure.
Plan a pre-save campaign. Encourage fans to pre-save your music so it’s added to their library on release day. This boosts your first-day streams.
Promote on social media. Share your release date, cover art, and a link to your pre-save. Use stories, reels, and posts to build hype.
Keep your artist profile updated. Add a bio, photos, and links to your socials. This makes your profile look professional.
Use consistent artist names across platforms. This helps Spotify’s algorithm connect your releases and avoid duplicate artist pages.
Check your distributor’s release times. Some distributors take longer than others. Plan accordingly, especially if you have a specific release date in mind.

Troubleshooting

My music hasn’t appeared on Spotify after a week. First, check your distributor’s dashboard for the release status. If it says “Delivered,” wait another 2-3 business days. If it’s still not live, contact your distributor’s support with your release ID.
My cover art was rejected. Read the rejection reason. Common issues are file size too large, wrong dimensions, or explicit content not flagged. Resize or re-export your image and re-upload.
I made a typo in my song title. Contact your distributor immediately. They may be able to correct it before it goes live. If it’s already live, you’ll need to submit a correction request through your distributor, which can take a few days.
My artist name is different on Spotify. This often happens when you have multiple releases under slightly different names. Claim your Spotify for Artists profile and merge duplicate artist pages using the “Merge” feature in the dashboard.
I didn’t get my release date. If you set a release date and it passed without your music going live, your distributor may have delayed it. Check your dashboard for a new expected date or contact support.
My music is on Spotify but I can’t see it on my profile. Make sure you’ve claimed your Spotify for Artists profile and that your artist name matches exactly. If it still doesn’t show, it may take a few days for the profile to sync.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload music to Spotify for free?

Yes, some distributors like Amuse and RouteNote offer free plans, but they may take a percentage of your royalties or have limitations. Others charge a flat fee per release or annually.

How long does it take for music to appear on Spotify?

Typically 3-5 business days after your distributor sends it, but it can take up to a week. If you set a future release date, it will appear on that date.

Do I need an ISRC code?

No, your distributor will generate ISRC codes for each track automatically. They are used to track plays and royalties.

Can I upload a cover song?

Yes, but you need a mechanical license. Your distributor may offer a license for a fee, or you can obtain one from a service like Harry Fox Agency. Without a license, your release could be taken down.

How do I get paid?

Your distributor collects your royalties from Spotify and pays you according to their schedule (monthly, quarterly, etc.). You’ll need to set up a payment method and provide tax information.

Can I submit music to Spotify playlists directly?

No, you can only pitch to Spotify’s editorial playlists through Spotify for Artists. User-generated playlists are not controlled by Spotify, so you’ll need to reach out to playlist curators independently.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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