Will I lose my Spotify streams if I change music distributor?
One of the biggest reasons artists stay with a music distributor they no longer want to use is fear.
What happens to my Spotify streams?
Will my playlists disappear?
Will my song start again at zero?
Fortunately, changing music distributor does not automatically mean losing everything you’ve built.
If the transfer is completed properly, stores can often recognise that the new delivery represents the same recording.
The most important thing: your ISRC
Every commercially released recording normally has an International Standard Recording Code, better known as an ISRC.
Think of it as the identity of the recording.
If you release the same recording through a different distributor, keeping the same ISRC helps services understand that this isn’t an entirely new song.
RouteNote allows artists moving from another distributor to enter their existing ISRC information during the upload process.
Keep the recording exactly the same
Don’t make unnecessary changes during the transfer.
Use the same audio file.
Keep the same track title.
Keep the same artist name.
Keep the metadata consistent.
Use the same artwork where appropriate.
Use your existing ISRC and release information.
The aim is to give Spotify and other services every possible signal that the new delivery is the same release they already know.
What is Spotify track linking?
Streaming platforms can recognise when multiple deliveries refer to the same underlying recording.
When they do, those versions can be linked.
For listeners, the transition may therefore be effectively invisible.
Their saved track can continue working.
Playlist placements may remain.
Existing streaming history may remain associated with the recording.
RouteNote recommends artists moving from another distributor leave the previous release live while the replacement reaches stores, then allow approximately three to five business days for linking before removing the original delivery.
Don’t delete your old release first
This is worth repeating.
Don’t start your distributor transfer by deleting everything.
If you remove the old version before the replacement arrives, you create an unnecessary gap.
Instead:
Upload through your new distributor.
Wait for the new version to reach stores.
Check that it has linked properly.
Then remove the version supplied through your previous distributor.
What about playlist placements?
Playlist placements are one of the biggest concerns for established artists.
If the replacement delivery is successfully identified as the same recording, existing playlist associations may be maintained.
Again, there is no universal guarantee because Spotify and other DSPs ultimately control their own platforms.
But maintaining identical release information gives you the best possible chance.
Should I use a new UPC?
When transferring an existing release, RouteNote allows artists to enter an existing UPC.
The UPC relates to the overall release, while ISRCs relate to individual recordings.
If you’re transferring music specifically to retain existing release identity, preserving these identifiers is useful.
For completely new releases, RouteNote can generate both UPC and ISRC codes free of charge.
Can I move from DistroKid to RouteNote?
Yes.
RouteNote has specific guidance for artists moving from distributors including DistroKid, TuneCore and CD Baby.
The basic process is:
- Gather your current UPC and ISRC information.
- Upload the same release through RouteNote.
- Use identical audio, artwork and metadata.
- Wait until the RouteNote delivery is available.
- Allow time for track linking.
- Confirm your streams and playlists.
- Ask your previous distributor to remove its copy.
Changing distributor doesn’t have to mean abandoning your music’s history.
In many cases, it is simply changing the company delivering the same recording.