Getting your music on Spotify is easier than ever—but knowing the exact steps makes all the difference. Whether you’re an independent artist or part of a band, how to post music on Spotify involves using a music distributor, preparing your tracks, and following Spotify’s submission guidelines. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every stage of the process, from preparing your audio files to promoting your music after release.

• Music distributor account (DistroKid, CD Baby, TuneCore, etc.)
• High-quality audio files (WAV or MP3, minimum 16-bit/44.1kHz)
• Album artwork (3000×3000 pixels, JPEG format)
• Metadata: song titles, artist names, genre, release date
• ISRC codes (optional but recommended)
• UPC/EAN barcode for albums (optional)
• Verified Spotify artist account
• Social media accounts for promotion
• Email address for distributor communications

Choose Your Music Distributor

Before you can learn how to post music on Spotify, you need to select a music distributor. Spotify doesn’t accept direct submissions from independent artists—you must route your music through an approved aggregator or distributor. This intermediary handles the technical delivery and licensing paperwork. Popular options include DistroKid (known for speed and features), CD Baby (artist-friendly with excellent support), TuneCore (owned by Spotify parent Tencent), Amuse (free distribution), and RouteNote (flexible pricing).

Each distributor offers different pricing models, features, and payment schedules. Some charge annual fees, while others take a percentage of your earnings. Consider factors like customer support quality, additional features (playlist pitching, analytics), and how quickly they get music to Spotify. According to WikiHow’s music distribution guides, most artists benefit from distributors that offer transparent pricing and comprehensive analytics dashboards.

Prepare Your Audio Files and Artwork

Proper preparation is critical when learning how to post music on Spotify. Your audio files must meet specific technical requirements to ensure quality playback across all devices. Spotify recommends uploading files in WAV format with a minimum resolution of 16-bit/44.1kHz, though 24-bit files are acceptable. Make sure your audio is properly mastered and doesn’t contain any clipping, distortion, or excessive compression that could degrade quality.

Your album artwork is equally important—it’s the first visual impression listeners get of your music. Create a square image at 3000×3000 pixels in JPEG format with at least 72 DPI. Ensure the artwork is eye-catching, professional, and clearly visible at thumbnail sizes. Include your artist name and song title prominently if they’re part of your branding. Avoid low-resolution images, excessive text, or artwork that violates copyright. Test your artwork at various sizes before uploading to confirm it remains visually appealing.

Gather all necessary metadata before uploading. This includes song titles, artist names, featured artist credits, composer and songwriter information, genre classifications, release dates, and song duration. Accurate metadata ensures your music is properly categorized and discoverable on Spotify. Double-check spelling and capitalization—consistency matters for building your artist brand.

Create Your Distributor Account

Once you’ve selected your distributor, create an account by visiting their website and clicking the sign-up button. You’ll typically need to provide your email address, create a password, and verify your email. Some distributors ask for additional information like your legal name, country of residence, and banking details for payment processing. The Spruce’s how-to resources emphasize the importance of providing accurate information to avoid payment delays.

Complete your artist profile with a professional photo, biography, and links to your social media accounts. This information helps distributors and Spotify understand your music better and can assist with playlist pitching and promotional opportunities. Some distributors allow you to link your existing Spotify artist profile during account creation, which streamlines the verification process later.

Upload Your Music and Metadata

Now comes the main event in how to post music on Spotify—uploading your music and all associated information. Navigate to your distributor’s upload section and select whether you’re releasing a single, EP, or album. Upload your audio file(s), ensuring they match the technical specifications. Most distributors allow bulk uploads for multiple tracks, which is convenient for album releases.

Fill in all metadata fields carefully and completely. Enter the song title, artist name, featured artists (if any), songwriter and composer credits, genre, and any other relevant information. Add your album artwork by uploading the 3000×3000 pixel JPEG file. Some distributors provide ISRC code generation—these unique identifiers help track your music across platforms and are valuable for royalty collection. If you’re releasing an album, provide a UPC/EAN barcode for better catalog organization.

Set your release date strategically. Most distributors require at least 3-5 business days before your desired release date to allow for processing and delivery to Spotify. Consider releasing on a Friday, which is the standard industry release day and gives your music maximum visibility in weekly playlists. Preview your upload before submitting to catch any errors or formatting issues.

Submit for Distribution

After uploading all files and metadata, review everything one final time before submitting. Check that your audio files are properly formatted, artwork meets specifications, and all metadata is accurate. Submit your music for distribution through your distributor’s platform. You’ll typically receive a confirmation email with an estimated delivery date.

The delivery process usually takes 3-7 business days, though some distributors offer expedited options for additional fees. During this time, your distributor is converting your files to Spotify’s required format, validating metadata, and routing your music through Spotify’s content management system. You can typically track your submission status in your distributor’s dashboard, which shows real-time updates as your music moves through the delivery pipeline.

Be prepared for potential rejections or requests for revisions. If your audio quality is insufficient, artwork doesn’t meet specifications, or metadata contains errors, your distributor will notify you. Most issues can be quickly corrected and resubmitted. According to Family Handyman’s detailed guides, attention to detail during the submission phase prevents most common distribution problems.

Verify Your Spotify Artist Profile

Once your music appears on Spotify (usually within 1-2 weeks of submission), claim and verify your artist profile to unlock additional features and analytics. Visit Spotify for Artists and log in with your Spotify account credentials. Search for your artist name and click “Claim your profile” to begin verification.

Spotify will ask you to verify ownership by selecting your verified email address or confirming your phone number. Complete the verification process to gain access to Spotify for Artists, which provides detailed streaming analytics, listener demographics, and playlist pitching opportunities. A verified artist profile shows a checkmark next to your name, building credibility with listeners.

Customize your artist profile by adding a professional photo, biography, and links to your website and social media accounts. This information appears on your Spotify artist page and helps fans connect with you across platforms. Update your profile regularly with new content, tour dates, and announcements to keep fans engaged.

Promote Your Music on Spotify

Uploading your music is just the beginning—promotion determines your success on Spotify. How to post music on Spotify effectively includes strategic promotion across multiple channels. Share your Spotify link on social media platforms using shareable links provided by Spotify for Artists. Create posts on Facebook business pages, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to drive listeners to your music.

Leverage playlist pitching opportunities available through your distributor or Spotify for Artists. Submit your music to both editorial playlists (curated by Spotify staff) and algorithmic playlists (based on listening patterns). Create a compelling pitch that explains your music’s style, influences, and target audience. Include high-quality cover art and a memorable artist bio. Many independent artists gain significant streams through playlist placements, so invest time in crafting strong pitches.

Consider making your music shareable across social platforms by creating engaging content around your release. Share behind-the-scenes recording footage, snippets of your music, and personal stories about the creative process. Collaborate with other artists on Spotify to cross-promote and reach new audiences. Engage with listeners through comments and messages to build a loyal fanbase.

Track your progress using Spotify for Artists’ analytics dashboard, which shows streaming numbers, listener demographics, and playlist performance. Monitor which playlists drive the most streams and focus your promotional efforts accordingly. Study successful artists in your genre to understand effective promotion strategies. According to Consumer Reports’ technology reviews, data-driven promotion consistently outperforms random social media posting.