How to Upload Music to Spotify
For Artists
You cannot upload music directly to Spotify. Artists use a digital distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, or similar services) to deliver recordings to Spotify and other streaming platforms. The process involves choosing a distributor, preparing your files and metadata, uploading through the distributor's dashboard, and waiting for Spotify to process the release. Plan for at least 2 to 4 weeks between upload and release.
This is one of the most searched questions in music, and the answer surprises people who expect Spotify to have an upload button like YouTube or SoundCloud. Spotify closed its direct upload beta in 2019. Every track on the platform goes through a distributor.
The good news: the process is straightforward once you understand the steps. The bad news: rushing it costs you access to editorial playlists, creates metadata problems, and can delay your release. For the full picture of how distribution works across all platforms, see the Music Distribution Guide.
Step 1: Choose a Distributor
Your distributor is the bridge between your finished recording and Spotify's catalog. The main options break down by pricing model:
Distributor | Pricing Model | Royalty Split | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
DistroKid | $22 to $36/year | You keep 100% | Unlimited uploads |
TuneCore | $9 to $15/single, $29 to $50/album | You keep 100% | Detailed analytics |
CD Baby | One-time fee + 9% commission | 91% to you | No annual renewals |
Amuse | Free tier available | 85 to 100% depending on tier | No upfront cost |
UnitedMasters | Free or $5/month | 90 to 100% depending on tier | Brand partnership access |
Pick based on how often you release, your budget, and whether you want to pay per release or per year. If you release 4 or more singles a year, an annual subscription model is almost always cheaper. For a detailed comparison, see Distribution Upload Timeline.
Do not hyperlink to distributor websites from here. Go to their sites directly when you are ready to sign up.
Step 2: Prepare Your Files
Before you open the distributor's upload form, have everything ready. Missing files or incorrect metadata are the top reasons releases get delayed or rejected.
Audio file: WAV format, 16-bit/44.1kHz (the CD-quality standard). Some distributors accept higher resolution, but 16-bit/44.1kHz is universally accepted. Your mastering engineer delivers this.
Cover artwork: 3000x3000 pixels minimum. JPEG or PNG. RGB color mode. No blurry images, no screenshots, no copyrighted imagery you do not own. Apple Music will reject artwork with small or illegible text.
Metadata you need on hand:
Song title (exactly as you want it displayed)
Artist name (consistent with your existing profile)
Featured artist names (if applicable)
Songwriter and producer credits
Genre and subgenre
Release date
Explicit or clean flag
Lyrics (optional but recommended for Spotify's lyrics feature)
ISRC code (your distributor generates this, or you can bring your own)
Step 3: Upload Through Your Distributor
Each distributor has its own dashboard, but the flow is similar across all of them. You create a new release, fill in the metadata fields, upload your audio and artwork, and set a release date.
The release date matters. If you want to be eligible for Spotify's editorial playlist consideration, your song needs to be in Spotify's system at least 7 days before release. In practice, upload 4 to 6 weeks early. This gives you a buffer for processing time, metadata corrections, and the editorial pitch window.
Most distributors process and deliver to Spotify within 1 to 5 business days. Spotify then processes the release on their end, which can take another few days. The timeline varies, and there is no way to rush it.
Step 4: Pitch for Spotify Editorial Playlists
Once your distributor delivers the release and Spotify processes it, the song appears in your Spotify for Artists dashboard as an upcoming release. This is when you can submit an editorial playlist pitch.
Go to Spotify for Artists, find your unreleased track, and fill out the pitch form. Include the genre, mood, instruments, and a description of the song and your release plans. Spotify's editorial team reviews pitches and decides whether to include tracks on playlists like New Music Friday or genre-specific editorial lists.
You can only pitch one song per release. If you are putting out an EP, choose your lead single. Pitch at least 7 days before release, ideally 2 to 3 weeks.
If you have not set up your Spotify for Artists profile yet, see Spotify for Artists Setup. Having a complete profile with a bio, images, and artist pick improves your pitch.
Step 5: Set Up Your Pre-Save
A pre-save link lets fans save your song before it releases. When the song goes live, it automatically appears in their library and triggers the algorithm to recognize early engagement.
Most distributors offer pre-save link generation, or you can use third-party tools. Share the pre-save link everywhere: your bio, email list, social posts, stories. The release planning guide covers how pre-saves fit into a full rollout timeline.
Step 6: Verify and Promote on Release Day
On release day, check that your song is live on Spotify. Verify the metadata is correct: spelling, credits, artwork, explicit flag. If anything is wrong, contact your distributor immediately. Metadata fixes can take days to propagate.
Share the Spotify link. Post it. Email it. Text it to everyone who pre-saved. The first 24 to 48 hours of streaming activity signals to Spotify's algorithm how to treat your track. Strong early engagement increases your chances of landing on algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar.
As an independent artist, your release day promotion is the difference between the algorithm noticing your track and ignoring it.
The Complete Upload Timeline
When | What to Do |
|---|---|
T-6 weeks | Upload to distributor with all metadata and artwork |
T-5 weeks | Confirm delivery to Spotify in your distributor dashboard |
T-4 weeks | Pitch for Spotify editorial playlist via Spotify for Artists |
T-3 weeks | Set up pre-save link and begin sharing |
T-1 week | Ramp up promotion: snippets, countdown, cover art reveal |
Release day | Verify the song is live, share links, engage fans |
T+1 to 4 weeks | Continue promoting; post new angles on the same song |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a song to appear on Spotify?
After uploading to your distributor, expect 1 to 5 business days for delivery to Spotify, plus additional processing time. Total time from upload to availability is typically 5 to 14 days, though it can be faster.
Can I upload music to Spotify for free?
Yes, through free-tier distributors like Amuse or UnitedMasters. They take a percentage of your royalties instead of charging an upfront fee. The tradeoff is a smaller share of earnings.
What file format does Spotify require?
Spotify accepts what your distributor sends, which is typically WAV 16-bit/44.1kHz. Upload your mastered WAV to your distributor. They handle the encoding to Spotify's formats.
Can I change my song after uploading to Spotify?
You can update metadata (title, credits, artwork) through your distributor, but you cannot swap the audio file. If you need to change the actual recording, you must take down the release and re-upload it, which resets your stream count.
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Plan the Full Rollout:
Orphiq generates a release timeline that maps every step from upload through post-release promotion so nothing gets missed.