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

Your song is finished, you have played it back ten times and now you just want it on Spotify. Makes sense. But how does that actually work? You cannot upload a file to Spotify yourself the way you would on YouTube or SoundCloud.

In this guide you will learn, step by step, how to put your own music on Spotify: what to sort out first, how to pick a distributor, when to schedule your release date and how to pitch your song to Spotify's editors.

Can you upload music to Spotify yourself?

Not directly. Spotify says it on its own artist support page: you work with a distributor to get your music on Spotify. The distributor delivers your song to Spotify (and usually to other streaming services too) and pays out your streaming royalties.

Signed to a label? Then your label most likely already works with a distributor and you do not have to handle this yourself.

What do you need before you upload?

The upload itself takes a few minutes. Most of the work is in the preparation. Check these points first:

1. The rights to your beat

Rapping or singing on a beat you did not make yourself? Then you need a license that allows streaming. A free beat from YouTube or a license without streaming rights can cause problems later, like your song being taken down or your earnings being claimed. Always read the producer's terms before you release.

2. A solid mix and master

Spotify adjusts the volume of songs, so mastering louder does not automatically get you anything. Your master does need to be clean though: no clipping, a balanced mix and a vocal that is easy to understand. With the free master checker you can measure the LUFS and true peak of your track. Read how many LUFS for Spotify to learn what those numbers mean.

3. The right file

Deliver your track as a WAV, unless your distributor asks for something else. Only have your song as an MP3? Export it again from your project as a WAV. Converting an MP3 to WAV does not improve the quality. If you do need to convert a file, use the free audio converter. More on the difference in converting WAV to MP3.

4. Artwork

You need cover art. Only use images you own the rights to, so no photo you grabbed from Google. Check your distributor's size and format requirements. Also read the cover art requirements.

5. Your artist name and details

Make sure your artist name is final and that you spell it exactly the same everywhere. Still not sure? Try the artist name generator and read how to choose and check your artist name. Also prepare the title, any features and the credits (who wrote it, who produced it).

How to put your song on Spotify: step by step

1. Choose a distributor. On Spotify for Artists, Spotify lists preferred and recommended distributors that meet its standards for metadata quality and anti-infringement measures. According to Spotify, most distributors charge a fee or a commission. So compare what you pay, whether you pay per release or per year, and how much of your earnings you keep.
2. Create an account and fill in your details. Use exactly the same artist name as on your socials. Released music before? Link the release to your existing artist profile, so it does not end up on a new or wrong profile.
3. Upload your WAV and artwork. Fill in the title, features, genre, language and credits carefully. Mistakes in this data are often hard to fix later.
4. Pick a release date well in advance. Do not set your song to "as soon as possible". You need time to pitch and promote. Ask your distributor how much time they need to deliver your release to Spotify. For a timeline, see the four-week release plan.
5. Get access to Spotify for Artists. You can do this before your first release. According to Spotify, you need your artist link and the UPC or EAN of your upcoming release, which you get from your distributor or label. With some preferred distributors, you get access automatically.
6. Pitch your song to the editors. In Spotify for Artists you can pitch an upcoming, unreleased song for editorial playlists. Spotify asks you to do this at least 7 days before the release date. If you pitch in time, your song also lands in your followers' Release Radar, according to Spotify. Note: you pitch one song at a time, and you cannot pitch a song you are only featured on.
7. Promote your release and watch your numbers. Share your pre-save link, make short videos with a snippet of your song and check in Spotify for Artists how it is doing after release. Curious what streams roughly pay? Try the streams calculator and read how much Spotify pays per stream.

Common mistakes on your first release

• Releasing too soon. A release date of tomorrow means no pitch, no Release Radar and no time for promo.
• Spelling your name differently. "Lil X" and "LilX" are two different artists to a streaming service.
• No license for the beat. You risk your song being taken down or your earnings being claimed.
• Releasing a demo. First impressions count. A messy mix or a clipping master is audible on every speaker.
• No plan after release. Getting a song on Spotify is step one. Without promo, almost nobody finds it.

Check your track before you upload

Before you hit upload, run your final master through the master checker to catch clipping and loudness issues. Want more free help? All our tools for producers and rappers are on the free music tools page.

FAQ

Does it cost money to put music on Spotify?

Usually, yes. You need a distributor, and according to Spotify most distributors charge a fee or a commission. The amount varies per distributor, so compare before you choose.

Can I pitch a song that is already out?

No. According to Spotify, you can only pitch a song that has not been released yet. Once the song is live, it is no longer eligible for pitching. So plan your pitch before your release date.

How far in advance should I upload my song?

If you want to pitch and land in your followers' Release Radar, your song needs to be in Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release. Your distributor also needs time, so upload well ahead.

Do I need Spotify for Artists?

It is not required to get your music on Spotify, but without Spotify for Artists you cannot pitch, edit your profile or see your stats. So ideally set it up before your first release.

Can I put a song on Spotify with a beat from YouTube?

Only if you have a license that allows streaming. Always read the producer's terms or buy a license that fits your release.