How to Get Your Music on Spotify

To get music on Spotify as an independent artist, you upload your finished track to a music distributor, which delivers it to Spotify on your behalf. You cannot upload directly — Spotify accepts releases through approved distribution partners. Once it is live, you claim your artist profile and start pitching and promoting. Here is the full process.

Step 1: Finish and master your track

Spotify will not improve your audio, so make sure the song is fully mixed and mastered before uploading. Export a high-quality WAV (16-bit/44.1kHz or higher). If you are handling the final stage yourself, our notes on how loud your master should be and the beginner’s guide to mixing your first song will keep you in the right range for streaming playback.

Step 2: Choose a distributor

A distributor is your route onto Spotify. Popular choices include DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, Amuse and Ditto. They differ on pricing model and extras — compare them in our best music distribution services guide, or read what a music distributor does if the term is new. The distributor also assigns your ISRC and UPC codes automatically.

Step 3: Upload your track and metadata

Inside your distributor’s dashboard, upload the audio, add square artwork (at least 3000 x 3000 pixels, no logos, URLs or prices), and fill in metadata carefully: exact artist name, title, featured artists, songwriter and producer credits, genre and language. Consistent spelling of your artist name matters — it keeps everything attached to one profile.

Step 4: Set a release date with lead time

Pick a date at least three to four weeks ahead. That window lets you pitch the track to Spotify’s editorial playlist team (they ask for roughly four weeks’ notice), set up a pre-save, and prepare promotion. Friday is the standard release day and the start of the chart week.

Step 5: Claim your Spotify for Artists profile

Once your release is scheduled or delivered, claim your profile through Spotify for Artists. This free dashboard lets you pitch unreleased tracks for editorial playlists, customise your profile image and bio, view your listener data, and access promotional tools. Claiming it is one of the most important steps, and it is free.

Step 6: Pitch for playlists and set up a pre-save

Before the song goes live, pitch it in Spotify for Artists — even if you do not land an editorial spot, pitching signals the release to Spotify’s algorithm and improves your odds of landing in algorithmic playlists like Release Radar. Set up a Spotify pre-save so fans bank the track for day one. For the bigger picture, read how to get on Spotify playlists and how to get more streams on Spotify.

Step 7: Release and promote

On release day, check the track is live, share your smart link everywhere, and add it to your profile. Then keep the momentum going — the activity in the first few weeks tells Spotify’s algorithm whether to keep surfacing your music. For a complete release workflow, see how to release a song independently.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upload directly to Spotify myself?

For most independent artists, no. Spotify accepts releases through approved distributors rather than direct uploads, so you use a service like DistroKid, TuneCore or CD Baby to get your music on the platform.

How long does it take to appear on Spotify?

Delivery usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the distributor and store processing. To pitch for editorial playlists you need to submit roughly four weeks before release, so plan for a three-to-four-week lead time.

Does it cost money to get on Spotify?

Spotify does not charge artists directly, but you pay your distributor either an annual subscription or a per-release fee to deliver your music. Claiming your Spotify for Artists profile and pitching for playlists is free.