Apple pre-adds and Spotify pre-saves both exist for one reason: capture intent before release day, then convert that intent into day-one listening.
The difference is how each platform turns that intent into behavior.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Apple Music pre-add | Spotify pre-save |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Release added to library automatically on drop | Release saved to library on drop |
| Where it lives | Apple Music library | Spotify library |
| Day-one behavior | Appears in library, ready to play | Appears in library, may trigger Release Radar |
| Algorithmic signal | Indirect (via listening behavior) | Direct (informs Release Radar inclusion) |
| OAuth required | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Apple-heavy audiences, genre/region dependent | Spotify-heavy audiences, algorithmic play |
| Tracking | Via Linkfire or landing page events | Via Spotify for Artists pre-save links |
Apple Music pre-add
Pre-add is a library commitment inside Apple's ecosystem. It is most valuable for:
- Apple-heavy audiences (certain genres, US market, Japan)
- warm fans who will actually follow through on release day
The key difference: Apple does not have an equivalent to Release Radar. The pre-add converts into library behavior, but whether Apple's discovery surfaces pick up the track depends on downstream listening signals, not the pre-add count itself.
Spotify pre-save
Pre-save is an intent signal that can support day-one library behavior on Spotify and can be paired with Spotify's editorial and algorithmic surfaces.
The advantage: Spotify's algorithm uses pre-saves as one input for Release Radar inclusion. A strong pre-save campaign can directly influence algorithmic reach in the first week.
What to prioritize
Prioritize based on audience reality:
Apple-heavy audience: Lead with pre-adds. This typically means US hip-hop, pop, and country releases where Apple's market share is closer to Spotify.
Spotify-heavy audience: Lead with pre-saves. This is the default for most global releases, especially in markets where Spotify dominates (Latin America, Europe, emerging markets).
Label release: Run both, but do not split your landing page CTA evenly. Pick the primary CTA based on your audience data, then offer the other as a clear secondary option.
Sources
- Apple Music for Artists: pre-adds documentation.
https://artists.apple.com/support/1118-apple-music-pre-adds - Spotify for Artists resources and pre-release tools.
https://artists.spotify.com/