Spotify is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, music streaming platforms in the world. It is available across platforms and is used by millions across the globe. Spotify also lets you enjoy music, not only by listening to songs but also by singing songs with your loved ones, using the Karaoke mode. However, the music that you listen to on Spotify is uploaded by artists, and if you are a new artist who wants to make their songs heard by a wide audience, then Spotify is the platform for you. But not many know about how they can upload and release their songs.

how to upload music on spotify free music distributors

Thankfully for you, we at TechPP are here to make your life easy. In this guide, I will share with you the steps you need to follow to upload your music to Spotify. I will also list down all the free music distributors for Spotify. Let’s quickly dive in.

Is it possible to upload music on Spotify directly?

If you think that you can upload your music track to Spotify directly using the Android and iOS apps or via the web, then you are mistaken. Spotify doesn’t work like YouTube. You cannot directly upload music on Spotify. You need to have complete rights to the song; it should be original, and then you can get the help of a distributor to upload your song to Spotify. Once the distributor uploads your music on Spotify, the revenue is shared with the distributors on the terms agreed upon based on your agreement.

The best part about this guide is that you don’t have to search for a distributor by going door to door. In this guide, I’ll give you a list of free distributors that can help you upload your music on Spotify.

How to upload music on Spotify?

We will be using RouteNote, which is a free music distributor for Spotify. However, you can use other free or paid distributors as per your liking and finances. Here are the steps that you need to know to upload songs on Spotify:

  1. Open the RouteNote website on any of your favorite browsers.
  2. Click on Get Started to create your account. Enter your email address and preferred credentials. Don’t forget to enter your PayPal email address because this is where your revenue will be shared.
  3. Click on Distribution and select Create New Release.
  4. On the next page, you need to enter some important details about your songs. You need to enter the UPC/EAN code and the Release Title for your album and then click on Create Release. Notably, you need to enter your UPN (Universal Product Code) or EAN (European Article Number) to sell your songs in America and Europe. The best part about RouteNote is that if you don’t have a UPN or EAN, then RouteNote will provide it for you.
  5. Upload your Album artwork as per the requirements.
  6. Now, you need to enter the album details on the next page. Below is a list of details you need to enter:
    • Language
    • Album/Single/EP Title
    • Album Version
    • Artist name
    • Writers
    • Primary Genre
    • Composition Copyright
    • Sound Recording Copyright
    • Record Label Name
    • Originally Released
    • Explicit Content
  7. Then, you need to enter the song track by clicking on Choose file.
  8. Enter the track name, and click on Save and Continue.
  9. Fill in all the details on the Audio Metadata page. Below is a list of details that you need to enter:
    • Track Name
    • Title Version
    • Track Number
    • Artist name
    • Publishing information
    • ISRC Codes
    • Explicit Content
    • Audio Language
  10. Click Save and Continue.
  11. Once you are done, click on I’m Finished.
  12. Then, you need to head over to the Manage Store and select the Spotify box. There are other platforms that you can select.
  13.  Now, you need to select the regions where you want your songs to be available inside the Territories settings. If you wish to have a worldwide release, then you need to leave the space blank.
  14. Click on Save and Continue.
  15. Finally, agree to RouteNote’s terms and click on Distribute Free.

How to get your music featured in top playlists

Once you have submitted your song using the above steps, your music will be sent for review. Do note that this may take some time, and after the track is approved, everyone will be able to listen to it. In case there are any issues with your track, you can always go back and fix the problem.

I’ve shown the method for uploading songs on Spotify using the RouteNote distributor platform. However, if you want to try other platforms, in the next section, I’ve listed some other free music distribution platforms.

Other free music distributors for Spotify

Sl. No.
Distributor
Pros
Cons
Good for
1
RouteNote
Free option available, keeps 85% of royalties, offers premium subscription to keep 100% royalties, wide store distribution
Free plan takes 15% of royalties, slow support for free users
Beginners who want a free option with the possibility to upgrade
2
TuneCore
Keeps 100% of royalties, comprehensive reporting, annual fee per release, great for serious artists
Higher costs, $9.99 per single/year, $29.99 per album/year, no free option
Serious artists willing to pay per release for comprehensive features and support
3
DistroKid
Unlimited uploads for $19.99/year, keeps 100% royalties, fast distribution, additional services like YouTube monetization
Annual subscription required, extra fees for some services, no free option
Those looking for unlimited uploads at a reasonable annual fee
4
LANDR
Unlimited song distribution with $12.50/month plan, no royalties taken, additional services like mastering and collaboration tools
Monthly subscription required, no free option, more expensive than some alternatives
Musicians needing both distribution and additional production tools, but at a higher cost
5
Amuse
Free distribution, keeps 100% royalties, user-friendly, offers premium plans with faster releases and support
Slower release times on free plan, premium plans cost $24.99/year
Artists wanting a completely free option with the possibility of premium upgrades for faster service

Spotify has multiple free music distributors to choose from, apart from RouteNote. Do note that their revenue split, the process to upload songs on Spotify, the registration process, etc., will be different. So, I would advise you to go through their blogs or videos to understand the process and choose the one that best suits your needs. Here is a list of some of the best free music distributors for Spotify, in my opinion.

  • TuneCore: TuneCore offers you the option to release your songs worldwide across different platforms. You can release unlimited songs to any platform for a subscription fee, and it also lets you keep 100% of the revenue generated from streaming to yourself. There is no annual fee for releases on social platforms. TuneCore even lets you create your album art during the uploading process.
  • DistroKid: DistroKid is another free platform that you can use to upload songs to not only Spotify but other platforms such as Apple, Amazon, Tidal, etc. The platform allows the user to keep 100% of their earnings and also claims to offer more features than any other platform. However, the subscription fee is a bit higher than TuneCore. It lets you create stunning visuals and shareable videos for our music without needing to hire an editor or designer.
  • LANDR: LANDR is another platform that allows you to keep 100% of your streaming earnings for a high subscription fee. You can release songs in over 150 online music stores. Customer support is one of the best things about LANDR, and they can get your issues resolved quickly. Using LANDR gets you some benefits, such as advanced metrics to track your songs, instant Spotify verification, access to promotional tools, cover song licensing, and much more.
  • Amuse: Amuse lets you keep 100% rights and royalties to your songs, keep track of your music with advanced metrics, share your music with unique links, offer 24-hour support, team accounts, and much more. With Amuse, you can release unlimited songs and release your songs as soon as 48 hours.
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