Getting your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere else is easier than ever—but only if you do it right. Distributors like DistroKid, CD Baby, and TuneCore make it simple, but even seasoned artists can trip up on metadata, audio quality, or artwork specs. Whether you’re about to release your first single or your tenth album, here are 10 essential tips to help you upload smoothly and professionally.
1. Double-Check Your Metadata
Your artist name, track titles, and album name must be consistent, properly capitalized, and free from typos. Don’t use all caps unless that’s your official brand. Metadata mistakes can lead to delays—or worse, someone else’s artist page.
2. Use High-Quality Audio Files
Upload WAV files (44.1kHz/16-bit or higher) for best results. Avoid MP3s—they’re compressed and may sound lower quality. A great mix deserves a great upload.
3. Match Your Artwork to Specs
Cover art must be a perfect square (usually 3000×3000 pixels) and free of URLs, pricing, or social handles. Blurry or incorrectly sized images will get flagged, delaying your release.
4. Don’t Include “Feat.” in the Track Title
Distributors often ask for featured artist names in their own designated field. Including them in the title can cause confusion and mess up your Spotify artist profiles.
5. Choose the Correct Language and Explicit Settings
If your lyrics aren’t in English or contain explicit content, be honest about it. Labeling tracks accurately ensures they land in the right regions and playlists—and avoids takedowns.
6. Keep Your Release Date Realistic
Give your distributor at least two weeks (ideally four) before your intended release. This gives time for review, troubleshooting, and pitching to playlist editors.
7. Use ISRCs and UPCs Correctly
If you already have an ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) or UPC (for albums), enter it. Otherwise, let the distributor assign them. Reusing codes incorrectly can create catalog chaos.
8. Verify Your Artist Profile Links
Distributors often let you link to existing Spotify or Apple artist profiles. Choose wisely—accidentally linking to the wrong artist page can take weeks to fix.
9. Set the Right Songwriter and Publisher Credits
Even if you’re unsigned, enter your full name and “self-published” (or similar) to avoid rights conflicts. Accurate publishing info helps with royalties and sync placements.
10. Test Your Track Name Formatting
Avoid odd characters, unnecessary capitalization, or mixing languages unless stylistically intentional. Clean formatting keeps your release looking sharp across platforms.
Ready to Release? Triple-Check First
Your music deserves a flawless launch, and a little extra time now saves major headaches later. Treat your upload like the final step in your creative process—not an afterthought. With clean metadata, the right assets, and a bit of patience, you’ll be ready to hit “submit” with confidence.