Releasing a Song: What to Prepare Before You Upload

The audio file: format, loudness, final version

Only upload the final master, as WAV, FLAC or AIFF. MP3 isn't meant for distribution, because the stores process the file themselves and any earlier compression stays audible. Check that there are no clipped notes at the start or end and no long silence you didn't intend.

An automatic audio check looks at the file, loudness and true peak before anything is delivered. If you want to know where your master stands beforehand, use our LUFS checker. Spotify normalises to around -14 LUFS. A master that's much louder gets turned down there and often sounds flatter than it needs to because of heavy compression.

Before uploading, listen to the master all the way through on different devices: headphones, phone speaker, car. Problems you catch there are a hassle to fix after delivery, because new files then have to go out to every store.

The cover: size, colour space, what's not allowed

The cover has to be square and at least 3000 × 3000 pixels, as JPG or PNG. We convert CMYK files from print workflows to RGB automatically. Small images that have been upscaled are easy to spot: they're big enough on paper but look blurry.

The most common reasons for rejection aren't in the image itself but written on it: web addresses, social handles, prices or labels like Out Now. The stores don't allow them. You'll find more detail in our article on DSP cover art requirements.

Metadata: title, artist, language, codes

Write titles and artist names exactly as they should appear in the stores. Features go in the artist field, not also in the title. Keep the spelling of your artist name consistent across all releases. A different spelling can send a release to a different artist page.

We assign ISRC and UPC automatically. The ISRC identifies the recording, the UPC the whole release. If your song already has an ISRC, for example because it came out through another distributor, just enter it. The system strips out hyphens on its own.

Credits and splits: who worked on the song

Each track needs at least one composer and one lyricist, because the stores require it. Apple Music also asks for performance and production credits. Songwriters are listed under their legal names, producers can use their artist names. Gather this information before you start, especially if several people were involved.

In the AI section you state for each track and for the cover whether AI was involved and how much. Anyone who should share in the income gets a royalty split, for as many recipients as you like, per track or per release. Agree on the percentages with each other first. Invitations go out once the release has been delivered.

Stores and release date

We deliver to 38 stores and streaming services in more than 240 territories, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, TikTok, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal and Beatport. In the wizard you choose where your release goes. For most songs it makes sense to include everything.

The release date has to be at least 5 business days out, and you choose the time and time zone (default is midnight Berlin time). Those 5 days are enough for delivery but not for promotion. If you want playlist pitching, the release has to be submitted at least 21 days ahead, and a Spotify for Artists pitch needs at least 7 days. So plan for three to four weeks.

After you submit: pre-save, smart link, numbers

Once you submit, the pre-save switches on automatically and you get a smart link on ogr.fm. Share that one link in your bio, posts and newsletter. Before release it shows the pre-save, afterwards the song. YouTube Content ID is included.

Your streaming numbers appear in the dashboard and in the free iOS and Android app. The stores report with a 1 to 3 day delay, so don't worry about empty numbers on release day. Pricing is simple: no subscription, no fee per release, we keep 10 % of your earnings. For more help with timing, see our release plan.