Music distributionPractical guide · updated for 2026
How to Release a Song on Spotify
Spotify does not accept uploads directly; a distributor delivers your release. Get the audio, artwork and metadata right, leave at least a few weeks before the release date, and register your rights separately.
Have this ready
- A finished master audio file
- Artwork in the required size and format
- Correct writer and publisher details
Step by step
- 1Choose a distributor and check its fees, royalty share and which stores it covers.
- 2Prepare a lossless master and confirm the track has the correct sample rate and no clipping.
- 3Create square artwork at the size the distributor requires, with no logos or unlicensed images.
- 4Write the metadata: artist name, track title, genre, language, explicit status and release date.
- 5Decide the release date with enough lead time for store review and playlist consideration.
- 6Upload, check the preview, fix any warnings, then submit for review.
- 7After approval, claim your Spotify for Artists profile and register the work with your royalty collection society.
Want it done with you?
I can walk you through it in a Magic Box, show you the exact clicks, or do it with you and keep the recording. You log in yourself; I never see your password.
Common questions
How long before release should I upload?+
Several weeks. Store review plus playlist pitching needs lead time, and late uploads lose the release date.
Can I upload directly to Spotify?+
No. Spotify delivers through distributors and labels, which is why your distributor's data must be correct.
Do I need a cover song licence?+
Yes. A cover needs a mechanical licence, and many distributors will not accept it without one.