Getting your music on Spotify isn't complicated, but there are a few things you need to get right to make sure your release lands properly, keeps your stream counts, and reaches the right people.

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Here's exactly how to do it.

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Step 1: Choose a Music Distributor

Spotify doesn't accept direct uploads from artists. To get your music on the platform, you need to go through a music distributor. A distributor acts as the middleman between you and Spotify, delivering your files, metadata, and artwork in the right format.

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There are plenty of options out there. G.Y.R.O. is an Australian-owned distributor that gets your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, YouTube Music, and 100+ other platforms. You keep 92% of your royalties and get free ISRC codes with every release.

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Step 2: Prepare Your Files

Before you upload anything, make sure you have:

  • Audio files in WAV format, 16-bit, 44.1kHz minimum. Spotify accepts MP3 but WAV is the standard for quality distribution.
  • Artwork that is at least 3000 x 3000 pixels, in JPEG or PNG format, with no blurry edges or pixelation. Spotify will reject artwork that doesn't meet spec.
  • Your ISRC codes if you are re-distributing existing music. If this is a new release, your distributor will generate them for you.
  • Your metadata sorted: track title, artist name, featuring artists if applicable, genre, release date, and lyrics if you want them on Spotify.

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Step 3: Set Your Release Date

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Give yourself at least four weeks between submission and your release date. This isn't just about Spotify processing time, it's about giving yourself a window to pitch to editorial playlists.

Spotify for Artists lets you pitch your track to editorial playlists before it goes live. You only get one pitch per release and it has to be submitted before the release date. If you leave it to the last minute, you lose that opportunity entirely.

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Step 4: Submit Through Your Distributor

Once your files are ready and your release date is set, create your release in your distributor's dashboard. With G.Y.R.O., you:

  • Create a new release and enter your metadata.
  • Upload your audio and artwork.
  • Select your distribution territories (choose worldwide unless you have a specific reason not to).
  • Choose your release date and checkout.

G.Y.R.O. handles the delivery from there, sending your release to Spotify and every other platform you've selected.

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Step 5: Claim Your Spotify for Artists Profile

Once your release is submitted, log into Spotify for Artists and claim your artist profile if you haven't already. This gives you access to streaming data, the ability to pitch to editorial playlists, and control over your profile image, bio, and artist pick.

Get this done before your release date so your profile looks complete when listeners land on it.

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Step 6: Pitch to Editorial Playlists

This is the step most artists skip and it's one of the most valuable things you can do.

In Spotify for Artists, go to your upcoming release and submit a pitch. Don't just fill in the genre. Tell them what the song is, the mood it lives in, what you have planned around the release, any press or radio support, and what makes it worth their time.

Be specific. Generic pitches don't cut through.

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Step 7: Check Your Release is Live

Spotify usually processes releases within a few days of the delivery date, though it can take longer during busy periods. Once your release is live, check that:

  • The track title and artist name are correct.
  • The artwork displays properly.
  • The release appears under your artist profile.
  • Your streams are tracking in Spotify for Artists.

If anything looks wrong, contact your distributor straight away. Most metadata issues can be corrected but it's faster to catch them early.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Uploading too close to your release date and missing the editorial pitch window.
  • Using the wrong audio format or a low-resolution artwork file.
  • Not claiming your Spotify for Artists profile before release.
  • Setting your release as a different territory than intended and having it not appear in Australia.

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Getting your music on Spotify is straightforward when you have the right setup. The main thing is giving yourself enough time and making sure everything is correct before you submit.

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