Image credit: @felipepelaquim

Get your music on Spotify for free – the world’s biggest streaming service – to gain global exposure and earn revenue from your music.

Artists can upload their music onto Spotify for FREE via RouteNote. Artists keep full control over their music, there are no upfront fees and artists keep 85% of the royalties.

All artists need to do is head to RouteNote.com and sign up for an account. Once you have signed up, you are able to upload your music and choose the music services and social media platforms you would like to send your music to. It’s that easy!

How to get your music on Spotify:

  1. Create a free account at www.routenote.com
  2. Upload your music and format your metadata
  3. Send it to us to review
  4. Your music is uploaded to Spotify and any other services you choose!

Other distributors charge a lot of money upfront or they have hidden fees, which artists don’t realise until they are locked in. RouteNote offers completely transparent pricing for artists and labels.

Simply head to RouteNote.com and create your free account today.

What to review before submitting your music for distribution

When preparing to distribute your music on any platform, ensuring every detail is perfect is essential. Here’s a checklist to guide you through the process:

  1. Audio quality check
    • Start by ensuring your audio files are top-notch. Listen carefully for any errors or distortions that might affect your listener’s experience. High quality here is non-negotiable.
  2. Metadata verification
    • Double-check all your song details. This includes song titles, album names, and genre classifications. Accurate information helps in correctly categorizing and promoting your music.
    • Accurate metadata contributes to a professional look and enhances the chances of your music being discovered by the right audience.
    • It’s important to thoroughly verify all metadata details before uploading to prevent any errors.
    • Metadata is crucial as it helps listeners find your music easily and ensures it’s categorized and displayed correctly on the platform.
    • Ensure you include key details such as the song title, album name, and genre to make your music easily identifiable.
  3. Cover art confirmation
    • Your cover art should be both striking and appropriate. Verify that it meets the resolution requirements of your chosen platforms and reflects the essence of your music accurately.
  4. Final submission and monitoring
    • After verifying all aspects, you’re ready to submit your music. Keep an eye on the submission status to track its progress through the review and distribution process.

By methodically reviewing each element, you set yourself up for a smooth release and maximize your music’s potential reach.

Why high-quality audio matters for music distribution on Spotify

When distributing your music on Spotify, high-quality audio is crucial to making a lasting impact. Listeners on Spotify are tuning in to discover new music, and low-quality sound can immediately turn them away, damaging your reputation and potential reach.

  1. First impressions count: A crisp and clean audio file immediately grabs attention, while poor quality may lead listeners to skip your tracks.
  2. Engagement and shareability: Listeners are more likely to engage with and share music that sounds great. When your tracks sound professional, they become more appealing, leading to increased streams and shares.
  3. Reflecting professionalism: High-quality audio showcases your dedication to your craft. It signifies that you’re serious about your music and willing to invest in the best possible sound for your audience.

Investing in professional recording, mixing, and mastering can dramatically improve your audio quality, ultimately enhancing both listener experience and your music’s reach on Spotify.

Find out about audio file requirements on RouteNote here.

Why is high-resolution cover art important for music distribution on Spotify?

High-resolution cover art plays a crucial role in how your music is perceived and consumed on digital platforms like Spotify. Here’s why it’s important:

  1. First impressions matter: Your cover art serves as the visual gateway to your music. With image quality that is 3000×3000 pixels, it ensures that the artwork is crisp and clear, making your music instantly more appealing to potential listeners who encounter it.
  2. Reflects professionalism: High-quality artwork signals that you are serious about your craft and are invested in your music’s presentation. This professionalism can increase your chances of standing out in a crowded market.
  3. Enhances branding: The visuals associated with your music should complement your sound and message. Thoughtfully designed cover art that resonates with your music can strengthen your brand identity, creating a more cohesive and memorable artistic persona.
  4. Attracts more listeners: Striking and well-crafted cover art can catch the eyes of potential listeners who might otherwise skim past your tracks. In the competitive streaming landscape, anything that draws attention gives you an edge.
  5. Platform requirements: Adhering to the platform’s requirements, such as the dimension of 3000×3000 pixels for cover art, ensures that your music is eligible for playlist features and other promotional opportunities.

Investing in creating high-resolution cover art, whether through personal creation or by hiring a professional, is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your reach and impact within the music distribution ecosystem.

Approval times and release dates for music distribution on Spotify

Navigating the world of music distribution can be a bit perplexing, especially when you’re trying to understand the approval process for platforms like Spotify. Here’s a comprehensive look at what to expect:

Approval Timeline

  • Moderation time frame: You can find our up-to-date approval times here.
  • Distribution time frame: As soon as your release has been approved, our distribution team will send it to your chosen stores within 24 hours. It can take 7-14 days from your approved date for your release to be fully ingested into your selected stores.
  • Seasonal considerations: Be wary of peak periods such as holidays. These times might delay the usual approval process due to increased volume.

Occasionally, problems like metadata inaccuracies or audio quality issues may occur. It’s imperative to respond swiftly to any notifications from RouteNote. Promptly resolving these concerns, as instructed, minimizes the risk of release delays. Regularly check your notifications to ensure quick responses, ensuring a smooth path to releasing your music.

Scheduling Your Release

  • Post-approval: Once your music clears the approval stage, it is queued up for release on Spotify.
  • Promotional planning: Understanding these timelines is crucial for setting up your marketing and promotional activities effectively, ensuring everything aligns perfectly with your release date.

By staying informed about these timelines, you’ll be better equipped to manage expectations and prepare for a successful debut on Spotify’s platform.

How to leverage RouteNote’s dashboard for music release updates

Navigating the world of music publishing can be a complex endeavor, but using RouteNote’s dashboard makes it manageable. Here’s how you can utilize this feature to stay on top of your music release:

  1. Monitor submission status: RouteNote provides an overview of your music’s journey, guiding you through the submission stages. Stay updated on whether your music has been approved or if adjustments are needed before distribution.
  2. Analyze performance metrics: Dive into detailed performance analytics. This encompasses streams, downloads, and fan demographics, enabling you to gauge how your audience interacts with your music. Use these insights to tailor your marketing and engagement strategies.
  3. Receive instant notifications: Enable instant notifications via the RouteNote app to be alerted to any changes or updates. Whether it’s the approval of a release or to let you know that earnings are on the way, staying informed means you can address issues proactively and strategize effectively.
  4. Optimize your promotion strategy: By regularly assessing analytics and distribution status, you can tweak your promotional efforts. Adjust campaigns based on performance and target specific regions where your music resonates most.

Utilizing RouteNote’s dashboard is not just about staying informed; it’s about empowering yourself to make data-driven decisions, ensuring your music reaches and resonates with your audience efficiently.

Why publishing music on Spotify is crucial for aspiring artists

For any emerging musician, getting your music out to the masses is a fundamental goal. Spotify, one of the world’s leading music streaming services, offers a golden ticket to achieving widespread exposure. Here’s why it’s important:

  1. Massive audience reach: With millions of active users worldwide, Spotify provides artists with an expansive audience to showcase their work. It’s an opportunity to connect with listeners on a global scale, far beyond what traditional platforms offer.
  2. Increased visibility: By publishing on Spotify, artists boost their chances of discovery. The platform’s curated playlists and algorithm-driven recommendations can introduce your music to new listeners who share musical tastes.
  3. Community and networking: Beyond just listeners, Spotify connects artists with industry professionals. These connections can lead to new opportunities, such as collaborations or label interest, enhancing your music career.
  4. User-friendly tools: The platform offers tools for artists to track their growth, engage with their audience, and understand listener demographics. These insights are crucial for an artist’s strategic planning and outreach.
  5. Credibility and professionalism: Being present on a reputable and widely-used platform like Spotify adds a layer of professional credibility. It signals to fans and industry insiders alike that you take your craft seriously.

Publishing on Spotify isn’t just about getting your music out there—it’s about strategically positioning yourself in the industry to maximize your potential as an artist.

How do I promote my music on Spotify?

Once you’ve uploaded your music to Spotify, you have a global reach to expand your career with.

To effectively promote your music on Spotify, claim your artist profile on Spotify for Artists. This is a crucial tool for artists with music on Spotify, giving you control over your profile and loads of promotional tools.

You can update your bio, add artist images, and add your artist pick to keep your page fresh. Keeping your profile up-to-date is key to appealing to new listeners and existing fans alike.

Make use of promotional tools like playlist pitching to present your new singles to Spotify’s editorial team for consideration in their huge playlists. A single playlist feature could expose your track to more than a million new listeners.

As well, you can add merchandise and tour dates. There’s so much to discover with Spotify for Artists, check out our article below to make the most of your potential.

How often does Spotify pay out?

Artists can expect to receive their Spotify payments monthly. At RouteNote, we pay artists their revenues every month between the 15th and the 20th of the month.

Payments are made 45 days after the end of the month. Meaning that earnings made in January will be paid in the middle of March. This is a standard processing timeframe for earnings from streaming services and online music stores.

Where will my music be available on Spotify?

When music is uploaded to Spotify, it becomes accessible to listeners in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide. This global reach greatly enhances the opportunity for artists to increase their visibility and discoverability to a vast audience across the planet.

You can choose which territories to make your music available in. When you upload your releases to RouteNote, you can choose which territories you want your music to be available in on each individual release or simply select the whole world.

How much does it cost to put songs on Spotify?

Uploading your music to Spotify is completely free when you use RouteNote. You keep 85% of the royalties you earn on all of your releases when you upload for free.

  1. What strategic advantages do free services offer?: These platforms allow artists to distribute their music widely and efficiently, enabling them to focus on promotional efforts and fan engagement without the burden of upfront costs.
  2. What is the financial commitment required?: There is no initial financial commitment required to use these services, making music distribution accessible to a wide range of artists.
  3. How can these services impact an artist’s reach and fan base?: By utilizing these platforms, artists can expand their reach and grow their fan base without incurring significant financial costs, making it an attractive option for those with limited budgets.
  4. What are the benefits of using free distribution services?: These services offer tools and features that assist in managing music releases and enhancing promotional strategies, thereby benefiting artists who are looking to effectively market their music.

To keep 100% of your royalties on Spotify, simply upgrade your release to RouteNote Premium at any time. For a small upfront cost, Premium allows you to keep 100% of your earnings – perfect for established artists and big releases.

Upload unlimited releases to Spotify and many more services at no cost by signing up at www.routenote.com.