Preparing the release of a new song or album is a strategic process that goes far beyond simply uploading the audio file a day before. For streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music to index, position, and push your music organically, you must follow a strict quality control timeline.
1. The 4-Week Advance Rule
The most common mistake of independent artists is wanting to release their track the same week they finish mixing and mastering. For a campaign to be successful, delivery on **DISTROM** must be done a minimum of **4 weeks prior** to the date chosen for the digital release:
- Day 1 to 5: Delivery of the release and pre-review by our technical support team in English. This ensures that any metadata or artwork errors are fixed before going to stores.
- Day 6 to 12: Submission and processing in the DSPs' backend. The track is uploaded as unreleased content to their global servers.
- Day 15: Your release appears visible in your Spotify for Artists panel under the *"Upcoming Releases"* section, enabling editorial pitching.
- Day 15 to 28: Activation of digital marketing campaigns, pre-saves, and teaser announcements on social networks.
2. Technical Standards for Cover Art (Artwork)
The graphic design of your single is your visual business card and DSPs apply strict guidelines to avoid rejection:
- Resolution and Image: It must be a perfectly square image, a minimum of 3000 x 3000 pixels, in JPG or PNG high fidelity format.
- Allowed Text: It can only include the artist name and the exact title of the song or album matching the audio metadata.
- Prohibited Elements: Social media logos, store mentions (e.g., *"Available on Spotify"*), barcodes, URLs, or contact numbers are not allowed.
3. Pre-Save Setup
Pre-Save is the digital equivalent of a physical album pre-order. It allows your fans to save your song to their personal library before release day, ensuring that on release Friday the track automatically appears in their playlists and release radar. This sends a signal of high traction and engagement to Spotify's smart algorithm, increasing your chances of getting into automated playlists.
Prepare your next release with industry standards and distribute your music with the speed and reliability of DISTROM.