How to Upload Music to Spotify as an Artist

It is currently not possible to directly upload music to Spotify. The only way to get songs onto the streaming platform is to use a digital music distributor. These are agencies that supply music to online stores and streaming services.

Digital music distributors are not the same as publishers. The former collects royalties based on master recordings of the artist, and the latter collects royalties for composition. An artist should set up with both for maximum profits.

Several digital distributors like DistroKid, CD Baby, TuneCore, RouteNote, AWAL, and many more offer the service. To upload your song to Spotify, you should first find the one you prefer and follow its guidelines. The process is kind of the same for all digital distribution platforms.

Register with a Distributor

You first create an account with the digital distributor you have selected. Registration is often free, and artists should be 18 years or above. Younger artists are to let their parents or guardian sign on their behalf. The only form of payment required is done when you have to subscribe to a plan for uploading and releasing your songs. 

Upload Your Music

Upload a high-resolution audio file in popular formats WAV, AIFF, or FLAC. Some distributors accept MP3, AAC, and WMA. Ensure the following before uploading the file:

• The mp3 file should be at least 320 kbps.
• The file size is below the limit placed by the distributor. Convert your WAV files to FLAC if they are above a file size limitation. Add the Necessary Metadata

Your song should have more than a title and artist name. Include information such as album title, genre, writing credits, track number, copyright information, and many more using the distributor’s forms.

Provide Artwork for Your Song

Upload a high-quality image as album artwork or song cover. You should own this artwork or have the necessary rights for it. The photo should be at least 640px by 640px in size and have a TIFF, JPG, or PNG format.

After filling out the form, select the streaming platforms you want them to be on. Choose Spotify in this case and submit. It takes 1 to 2 weeks for your music to go live on the streaming service. You can schedule a release date if you want.