How to Release Music on Streaming Platforms in 2026

Genesis Mix Lab is an AI-powered mixing and mastering platform that helps independent artists prepare their music for release. The final step before distribution is mastering, and our platform delivers masters optimized for every major streaming platform. This guide covers the entire release process from finished mix to live on streaming platforms, so you know exactly what to do at every step.

Step 1: Get Your Master Ready

Before you touch a distributor, your music needs to be professionally mastered. Unmastered tracks sound noticeably quieter and less polished compared to other songs on streaming platforms. This hurts first impressions and causes listeners to skip to the next track.

Each platform has specific loudness and format requirements. Spotify normalizes to approximately -14 LUFS integrated, while Apple Music normalizes around -16 LUFS. Your master should target these ranges with a true peak ceiling of -1 dBTP to prevent clipping during encoding. For platform-specific mastering guidance, see our guides on mastering for Spotify and mastering for Apple Music.

Export your master as a WAV or FLAC file at the highest bit depth and sample rate your session supports. Most distributors accept 16-bit/44.1 kHz minimum, but 24-bit is preferred for Apple Digital Masters certification. Never upload an MP3 to your distributor. Always provide lossless audio and let the platforms handle their own encoding.

Step 2: Prepare Your Metadata

Metadata is the information attached to your release: song title, artist name, album name, genre, release date, ISRC codes, songwriting credits, and more. Getting this right matters because metadata is how streaming platforms organize, display, and pay for your music. Incorrect metadata can mean lost royalties and confused listeners.

Essential Metadata Checklist

• Track title: Use proper capitalization. Do not include featured artist names in the track title unless your distributor's format requires it.
• Artist name: Use the same artist name across all platforms for consistency. Check that your Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists profiles are claimed.
• Genre and subgenre: Choose accurately. This affects algorithmic recommendations and playlist categorization.
• ISRC codes: Most distributors generate these automatically. If you have your own ISRC codes from a previous distributor, enter them to maintain continuity.
• Songwriter and producer credits: Include all contributors. This is required for proper royalty distribution and is increasingly important for algorithmic discovery.
• Explicit content flag: Mark accurately. Mislabeling can affect playlist eligibility.
• Language: Set the primary language of your lyrics (or "instrumental" if applicable).

Step 3: Create Your Cover Art

Cover art is the first thing listeners see. It influences click-through rates, playlist consideration, and brand perception. Streaming platforms require a minimum of 3000x3000 pixels in JPEG or PNG format with no blurriness, no pixelation, and no text smaller than readable at thumbnail size.

What to avoid: Do not include social media handles, website URLs, pricing information, or logos of streaming platforms on your cover art. These will get your release rejected by most distributors. Do not use copyrighted images without permission.

Options for creating artwork: Hire a graphic designer (expect $50 to $300 for quality work), use design tools like Canva or Figma with licensed assets, commission an artist from a freelance platform, or create your own using photography and design software. Invest in good cover art. It is the visual representation of your music.

Step 4: Choose Your Distributor

A digital distributor is the service that delivers your music to streaming platforms. You cannot upload directly to Spotify or Apple Music without one. In 2026, there are dozens of distributors to choose from. Here are the most established options:

• DistroKid: $22.99/year for unlimited releases. Keeps your music live as long as your subscription is active. Fast delivery, simple interface, good for high-volume releasers.
• TuneCore: Per-release pricing ($9.99 per single, $29.99 per album annually). You keep 100% of royalties. Good for artists with fewer releases who want full royalty retention.
• CD Baby: One-time fee per release ($9.95 per single, $29 per album) with a 9% commission on royalties. Your music stays up permanently with no recurring fees.
• Amuse: Free tier available with basic features. Pro tier adds more stores, faster delivery, and additional analytics. Good entry point for first-time releasers.
• LANDR Distribution: Subscription-based with bundled mastering. Good if you want distribution and mastering from one provider, though dedicated mastering platforms typically offer higher quality.

Step 5: Set Your Release Date and Launch Pre-Save Campaigns

Set your release date at least 3 to 4 weeks in the future. This lead time is essential for two reasons: it gives platforms time to process and QC your release, and it gives you access to Spotify for Artists' editorial playlist submission tool, which requires at least 7 days before the release date.

Pre-save campaigns let fans save your upcoming release so it automatically appears in their library on release day. This generates day-one streams, which signals to algorithms that your track is gaining traction. Use tools like Feature.fm, Hypeddit, or your distributor's built-in pre-save features to create a pre-save link you can share across social media.

Understanding loudness targets across platforms is critical for your master. Our LUFS targets guide for Spotify, Apple, and YouTube breaks down the exact specifications for each platform.

Step 6: Submit for Playlist Consideration

Once your release is scheduled, use Spotify for Artists to submit your upcoming track for editorial playlist consideration. This is your best shot at landing on curated playlists like New Music Friday, which can generate thousands of streams.

Write a compelling pitch: describe the song's mood, influences, instruments, and story. Mention the genre and subgenre accurately. Include information about any marketing plans, press coverage, or social media activity around the release. Curators read these pitches, so make yours specific and honest rather than generic.

Apple Music does not have a public submission tool, but your distributor may have relationships with Apple Music curators. Some distributors offer playlist pitching as part of their premium tiers. Regardless, focus on building organic listeners through your own marketing rather than depending entirely on playlist placements.

Step 7: Promote Your Release

Distribution puts your music on platforms. Promotion puts listeners on your music. Without active promotion, even great music gets lost in the millions of tracks uploaded weekly. Here is a timeline:

• 4 weeks before release: Tease the track on social media. Share behind-the-scenes content, snippets, and the story behind the song.
• 2 weeks before: Launch your pre-save campaign. Send the link to your email list, post on all social platforms, and ask collaborators to share.
• 1 week before: Release a music video teaser or lyric snippet. Engage with fans who pre-saved.
• Release day: Post everywhere. Share the streaming link through a smart link service (Linkfire, Toneden) that routes listeners to their preferred platform.
• Week after release: Continue promoting. Share listener reactions, streaming milestones, and additional content. The algorithm rewards sustained engagement, not just day-one spikes.

Common Release Mistakes to Avoid

• Releasing without mastering: Your track will sound quiet and unprofessional next to mastered songs. Always master before distributing.
• Incorrect metadata: Misspelled names, wrong genres, or missing credits cause problems that are difficult to fix after release.
• No lead time: Releasing the same day you upload eliminates playlist consideration and promotion opportunities.
• Ignoring cover art quality: Low-resolution or generic artwork signals amateur status before anyone hears a note.
• No promotion plan: "Drop it and hope" is not a strategy. Plan your promotion before you upload.