How to Upload Music on Spotify: The Complete 2024 Guide

Every independent artist eventually asks the same question: how to upload music on Spotify so fans worldwide can discover their sound? While Spotify doesn’t allow artists to upload tracks directly, getting your music live on the platform is straightforward once you understand how digital distribution works. In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk you through each step, explain industry terminology, and show you how a multifunctional distributor such as SoundOn can streamline the process.

1. Why Artists Need a Digital Distributor

Unlike social media platforms where you can post content yourself, Spotify uses Digital Service Providers (DSPs) that ingest audio from digital distributors. Distributors validate audio quality, metadata, and ownership before delivering releases to streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, etc.). This protects artist rights and maintains consistency across millions of tracks.

2. Choosing the Right Distribution Partner

When you’re ready to upload music to Spotify, the first step is registering with a reputable distributor. Services on the market include SoundOn, TuneCore, DistroKid, CD Baby, ONErpm, LANDR, Indiefy, and Amuse. While every distributor has its own pricing model and feature set, artists working with SoundOn gain direct access to the TikTok ecosystem, global streaming delivery, and marketing tools in one dashboard.

3. Getting Your Assets Ready

Preparation is key to a smooth release. Make sure you have:

• Mastered WAV or FLAC audio at 16-bit/44.1 kHz or higher.
• Cover art in a square 3000 × 3000 px JPG or PNG, free of logos you don’t own.
• Artist name spelled consistently across all platforms.
• Song title with correct capitalization (Title Case) and no extra information like artist name inside the field.
• Featuring artists tagged correctly (e.g., “Track Title (feat. Artist Name)”).
• ISRC and UPC codes (SoundOn can assign these if you don’t have them).

4. Creating Your Account on SoundOn

Sign up for a free SoundOn artist account in minutes. After email verification, you’ll enter the dashboard where you can:

• Upload new singles or albums.
• Track royalties from Spotify and other DSPs.
• Pitch directly to TikTok’s commercial music library and CapCut templates.

SoundOn charges distribution fees based on release type but bundles promotional features, analytics, and payout tools, providing transparent royalty statements.

5. Step-by-Step: Upload Music to Spotify Through SoundOn

1. Start a Release: Click “Create New Release.” Select single or album/EP.
2. Enter Metadata: Type your artist name exactly as it appears on Spotify. Fill in track title, language, explicit status, composers, and copyright owner.
3. Upload Audio & Artwork: Drag and drop mastered WAV files and cover art. SoundOn’s system checks file specs instantly.
4. Select Platforms: Ensure Spotify is toggled on, along with other DSPs you want (Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.).
5. Pick a Release Date: Set a date at least two weeks out to give curators time to review your pitch.
6. Add Additional Assets: Provide a 30-second preview, lyrics, and a short artist bio to strengthen your pitch.
7. Review & Submit: Confirm everything is accurate. Once approved by SoundOn’s team, the release is delivered to Spotify.

6. Pitching to Spotify Editorial Playlists

After submission, your unreleased track appears in Spotify for Artists under “Upcoming.” From there, you can pitch the song to Spotify’s editors:

• Describe the genre, mood, and instruments.
• Add cultural context (e.g., “Latin pop anthem for summer festivals”).
• Mention marketing plans — TikTok challenges, press releases, live shows.

Playlist placement can exponentially grow streams. Even if you don’t land on a flagship editorial list, pitching helps Spotify’s algorithm understand your audience and may trigger Release Radar or Discover Weekly boosts.

7. Leveraging TikTok & CapCut Integration

Because SoundOn is an official TikTok partner, your track automatically reaches TikTok’s Sounds library, letting creators drop snippets in videos. Viral clips often send listeners searching for the full track on Spotify. CapCut integrations make it simple for editors to sync your song with trending video templates, extending reach beyond traditional streaming.

8. Optimizing Your Spotify Artist Profile

Uploading music is only half the battle. A polished profile converts casual listeners into followers:

• Artist Pick: Pin your newest single at the top.
• Canvas: Loop a vertical 3-8 second video behind the track.
• Bio & Links: Tell your story and link to socials, merch, and tour tickets.
• Playlist Strategy: Curate personal playlists that include your music plus inspirations.

9. Understanding Royalties & Payment Cycles

Spotify pays distributors, who then pay artists. Streams are calculated using Spotify’s pro-rata model, varying by listener’s region, subscription tier, and more. With SoundOn, you can track earnings inside your dashboard and withdraw once thresholds are met. Remember to register your release timelines with your tax information to avoid payment delays.

10. Post-Release Promotion Tactics

Even a great song needs visibility. Combine Spotify resources with external strategies:

• Marquee & Showcase campaigns: Paid Spotify tools that alert lapsed listeners.
• User-Generated Playlists: Reach independent curators via email or social media.
• TikTok Challenges: Encourage fans to create dance or lyric videos.
• Short-Form Ads: Run TikTok Spark Ads linking back to Spotify.
• Press & Blogs: Have a concise EPK with streaming links ready for journalists.

11. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missteps can delay or derail your release:

• Uploading unmastered MP3s (poor audio quality).
• Incorrect title formatting leading to rejections.
• Submitting cover art with copyrighted logos.
• Choosing Friday release dates without sufficient lead time.
• Ignoring post-release analytics.

12. Reading Spotify Analytics

Inside Spotify for Artists, monitor:

• Streams & Listeners: Gauge repeat plays vs. new reach.
• Save Rate: Higher saves signal playlist suitability.
• Source of Streams: Discover if they come from editorial, algorithmic, or user playlists.
• Geography: Identify markets for potential tours or targeted ads.

Cross-reference with SoundOn’s dashboards for a holistic view of revenue and TikTok traction.

13. Scaling Your Catalog

A consistent release schedule keeps algorithms engaged. Plan singles, remixes, and acoustic versions. Schedule content around each drop to maintain momentum. SoundOn’s multi-release management tools let you duplicate metadata templates, saving time when scaling output.

14. When to Consider a Label or Team

If DIY management becomes overwhelming, consider hiring a manager, publicist, or signing with an indie label. Keep in mind, retaining ownership of masters and distributing through SoundOn means you can maintain control while adding collaborators on the business side.

15. Final Checklist Before Hitting “Submit”

1. Mastered WAV files ready.
2. Clear, high-resolution cover art.
3. Accurate metadata (no typos).
4. ISRC/UPC codes confirmed.
5. Release date set 2+ weeks out.
6. Playlist pitch drafted.
7. Marketing assets scheduled (TikTok teasers, press outreach).

Conclusion: Go Live on Spotify with Confidence

Uploading music to Spotify may seem technical, but with the right distributor and a solid plan, you can launch every track like a pro. SoundOn simplifies distribution, royalties, and TikTok amplification—freeing you to focus on the music itself. Sign up today, follow the checklist above, and take the first step toward reaching millions of listeners worldwide.