How to Upload Your Music to Spotify (2025 Step-by-Step Guide)

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Home › Blog › How to Upload Your Music to Spotify

Spotify Growth Updated for 2025 • 7 min read

The No-Fluff Guide: How to Upload Your Music to Spotify

From distributor choice to editorial pitching and release-day momentum. This is the artist-first path we use with campaigns that actually grow.

Launch with Hype My Sound

Jump to the step-by-step ↓

Success score (what matters most)

Timing • Metadata • Pitch • Creative • Distribution

Beginner-friendly

Table of contents

Quick primer
Step-by-step: upload to Spotify
Release checklist (copy/paste)
Common mistakes
FAQ

Quick primer: you don’t upload directly to Spotify

Artists deliver music to Spotify through a digital distributor (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.). The distributor sends audio, artwork, and metadata to streaming platforms, issues your ISRC (track identifier) and UPC/EAN (release identifier), and pays your royalties.

Pro move: Schedule your release at least 3 weeks out. That gives time to pitch the track in Spotify for Artists, build pre-saves, and align promo. Friday launches still rule.

What you’ll need

Final WAV (16-24 bit, 44.1 kHz)
Square artwork 3000×3000 (JPG/PNG, no logos you don’t own)
Primary artist + featured artists exactly as you want displayed
Lyrics (if applicable), explicit flag, genre & mood
ISRC/UPC (your distributor can generate)

Promote on Spotify

Step-by-step: upload your music to Spotify

Follow these steps once your master is final. Each step includes pro tips we use in growth campaigns.

1

Prepare audio & artwork the right way

Export WAV 16-24 bit / 44.1 kHz. Artwork: 3000×3000, RGB, JPG/PNG, no borders or URLs. Keep titles clean & consistent across all platforms.

File names matter: Artist – Track (feat. Name).wav
Avoid clipping; leave ~1 dB headroom.

2

Choose a distributor

Compare pricing (per release vs annual), payout speed, splits, and release controls (pre-save, delivery edits, ISRC custom input).

Make sure they support instant Spotify for Artists linking.
Keep your ISRCs consistent across versions & remixes.

3

Fill in metadata carefully

Artist names, roles (main/feat./remixer), writers, language, explicit flag, genre, mood, and credits. Small typos = big headaches later.

Lock your primary artist URI to avoid profile splits.
Use the same capitalization & accents everywhere.

4

Schedule your release date

Pick a Friday at least 3 weeks out. That lets you pitch editorial (deadline is 7+ days before release) and build pre-saves.

Time zone: keep distributor & Spotify for Artists in sync.
Set territory restrictions only if truly needed.

5

Claim/verify Spotify for Artists

Claim your profile and invite your team. Upload canvas, update bio & images, and set your Artist Pick to the upcoming single.

6

Pitch to editorial inside Spotify for Artists

Submit at least 7 days before release. Be specific about mood, instruments, story, and audience. Link relevant press or social proof.

7

Pre-save, smart links & Canvas

Launch a pre-save, prepare a smart link, and design a 3–8s Canvas loop. Announce with short-form verticals and email your list.

8

Release day: kick off growth

Swap Artist Pick to the live track, update link in bio, post the Canvas teaser, and start your promo. For curated reach with real fans:

Hype My Sound – Spotify Playlist Promotions

9

Post-release: compound the momentum

Run creator collabs, TikTok hooks, and story takeovers. Nurture listeners with follow-ups and release a visualizer/alt-version in week 3–4.

Release checklist (copy/paste)

Before delivery

Final WAV + 3000×3000 artwork
Clean metadata (title, roles, writers)
ISRC/UPC ready (or generated by distributor)
Spotify for Artists access

Pre-release (3–1 weeks)

Schedule Friday release
Editorial pitch (≥7 days)
Pre-save + smart link + Canvas
Press/influencer outreach

Launch & after

Artist Pick → new track
Start playlist promotions
Short-form content burst
Week-3 alt version / visualizer

Want compound reach, not random spikes?

Our promotions are designed to stack plays and convert listeners into followers.

See Promotions
Talk to a strategist

Common mistakes (and the fix)

Rushing release dates. Give yourself 3 weeks. You’ll pitch better and sell more.
Sloppy metadata. Profile splits and lost credits kill momentum. Double-check everything.
No Canvas or pre-save. Attention is a funnel; don’t leave top-of-funnel empty.
Promo starts on release day. Start the story during pre-save, then surge on launch.

FAQ

Can I upload directly to Spotify without a distributor?
No. You need a digital distributor to deliver audio, artwork, and metadata to Spotify and to handle ISRC/UPC and royalties.

How long does it take for my song to go live?
Typically 2–5 business days via most distributors. Pitch to editorial at least 7 days before your chosen date.

Do I need my own ISRC?
Your distributor can generate ISRCs. If you already have one, most distributors let you supply it.

What are the artwork rules?
Square 3000×3000, no URLs or third-party logos, avoid borders, use high-contrast imagery readable at thumbnail sizes.

How do I reach real listeners after uploading?
Pair strong creative with targeted playlist promotions and creator collabs. Start here: Spotify Promotions.

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