No major streaming service accepts uploads from artists — every release goes through a distributor. That is the one mandatory step; everything else is preparation and timing. Here is the 2026 order of operations that works the same for Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and the rest.
What to prepare
If the track isn’t finished yet, start with how to make your first track from scratch — it ends with the export in exactly the format a distributor needs.
- Audio as a 16- or 24-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV with no clipping. Platforms accept MP3, but it sounds worse.
- Cover art 3000×3000 px, JPG or PNG, no web addresses, no platform logos, no blurry edges — moderation rejects all three. Check the size with the image resizer or pick a ready-made cover in the catalog.
- Track title and artist name spelled exactly as they should appear on the platforms.
- Songwriters and composers with real names — they go into the metadata and are needed for payouts.
- The Explicit flag if there is profanity. Without it the release can be taken down.
- Lyrics — optional, shown by Apple Music and Spotify.
Choose a distributor
A distributor is a company with delivery agreements with the platforms. It uploads the release, handles moderation, collects royalties and pays you. There are two models: an annual subscription with no commission — DistroKid, TuneCore and Ditto start around $20–25 a year — or a fee per release, or a share of royalties with label-style services.
For one or two releases a year a per-release fee is usually cheaper than a subscription that renews whether you release or not; for a steady monthly output a subscription wins. Either way you keep 100% of the royalties with the subscription services and most per-release ones.
We deliver releases through Zvonko Digital: $45 per single and $135 per album, to 150+ platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon, TIDAL, Deezer and TikTok. Details on the distribution page.
| Model | What you pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription (DistroKid, TuneCore, Ditto) | from $20–25 a year, no commission | several releases a year |
| Per release (CoverPlace / Zvonko Digital) | $45 single, $135 album | one or two releases, no renewals |
| Royalty share (labels, some aggregators) | 10–30% of royalties | when you want pitching and promo from the distributor |
Timing: when to set the release date
Distributors pass a release to the platforms in one to three days, and the platforms publish it in one to seven days. But if you want to pitch to Spotify’s editors, the release must be in the system at least seven days before release day — and pitching services report that tracks submitted two weeks or more ahead get considered roughly twice as often as those at the seven-day minimum.
The working plan: materials to the distributor three to four weeks out, release on a Friday (it suits charts and new-music playlists), pre-save and announcements in the two weeks between.
What happens after you submit
Moderation
Platforms check the artwork, the metadata and the audio. The usual rejections: text or logos on the cover, an artist name that collides with an existing profile, uncleared samples, and a missing Explicit flag.
Artist profiles
Once the release is live, claim your profiles: Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, YouTube for Artists, Amazon Music for Artists and Deezer for Creators. They give you stats, the verified badge, editorial pitching and control over your bio and photos. Claims are made with a link to the live release.
Royalties
The first statement arrives two to three months after the first streams. What each platform pays and why it varies is in how much streaming platforms pay per 1,000 streams; YouTube specifically is covered in how much YouTube Music pays per stream.
Release day
- Check the track is live everywhere and collect the links into one smart link.
- Post a snippet to Reels, Shorts and TikTok — a short video with the cover in the first 24 hours does more than a post a week later.
- Ask listeners to save the track and add it to playlists: the first day decides whether the algorithm and the charts pick it up.
- A week later, read the stats by country and platform — they tell you where to promote the next release.
Frequently asked questions
Can I release a song on Spotify for free?
Not directly — Spotify doesn’t accept uploads from artists. Free distributors exist but take a share of royalties or limit the platforms. The cheapest reliable options are a subscription from about $20–25 a year or a per-release fee.
How long from submission to the track going live?
Usually two to ten days: one to three days at the distributor and up to a week at the platforms. Allow at least two weeks if you plan to pitch to playlists.
Do I need to register copyright or get an ISRC?
ISRC and UPC codes come free from the distributor. Registering copyright isn’t required for release, but it helps with disputes, and registering with a PRO collects performance royalties separately.
Can I release a cover song?
Yes, with the original writers credited in the metadata. For the US a mechanical license is required, and most distributors arrange it for a fee. Remixes and tracks with uncleared samples get removed.
What if the release is rejected?
The distributor sends the reason. Most often it is the artwork or the metadata: fix it and resubmit — a second review usually takes a day or two.
Ready to release your track?
Single — $45, album — $135. We work with Zvonko Digital and deliver the release to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, TikTok and 150+ platforms. Sent in 1–2 days after all materials are provided.