Spotify vs Apple Music vs Amazon Music Pitching Compared | Dynamoi
Comparison•
Updated
Spotify vs Apple Music vs Amazon Music Pitching Compared
Process, timeline, and success factors across the three major DSPs. How pitching differs on each platform and where to focus your efforts.
Each major streaming platform handles editorial pitching differently. Spotify democratizes access, Apple gates through distributors, and Amazon offers unique flexibility. Understanding these differences helps you prioritize and plan.
Quick Comparison
Feature
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Direct artist access
Yes
No
Yes
Pitching tool
Spotify for Artists
Apple Music Pitch (via distributor)
Amazon Music for Artists
Minimum lead time
7 days
3-4 weeks (via distributor)
None (up to 14 days post-release)
Recommended lead time
4-6 weeks
4 weeks
2-3 weeks pre-release
Description limit
500 characters
Varies by distributor
1,000 characters
Post-release pitching
No
Limited
Yes (14 days)
Cost
Free
Varies (distributor-dependent)
Free
Spotify: Open Access, High Competition
Spotify is the most accessible platform for independent artists to pitch directly.
Process
Access Spotify for Artists (Admin or Editor role)
Navigate to Upcoming releases
Select one focus track per release
Complete genre, mood, instrument, and description fields
Submit at least 7 days before release (4-6 weeks recommended)
Strengths
Direct control: You write your own pitch without intermediaries.
Transparency: You know your pitch was submitted (though not whether it was reviewed).
Amazon Music: Flexibility and Emerging Opportunity
Amazon Music offers the most flexible pitching system and is often overlooked.
Process
Access the Amazon Music for Artists app
Navigate to "New Releases"
Select your track and complete pitch form
Submit pre-release or up to 14 days after release
Strengths
Post-release pitching: The 14-day post-release window is unique among major platforms.
Smaller market share: Amazon Music has fewer listeners than Spotify or Apple Music.
Less editorial prestige: Amazon playlists carry less industry cachet.
Limited ecosystem: Fewer cross-promotional opportunities compared to Spotify.
Best For
All artists should pitch Amazon. The post-release option is especially valuable for rush releases or testing market response. Lower competition means potentially higher success rates.
Platform Prioritization Strategy
For Most Independent Artists
Spotify (Priority 1): Largest platform, direct access, Release Radar guarantee
Apple (Priority 3): Depends on distributor relationship
For Artists With Strong Distributor Relationships
Spotify: Always pitch
Apple: Leverage your distributor's access
Amazon: Capture additional opportunity
For Rush Releases (Less Than 7 Days)
Amazon: Only option for post-release pitching
Spotify: Not possible
Apple: Unlikely unless distributor has advance relationship
Timeline Comparison
For a track releasing on Friday, Week 6:
Comparison•
Updated
Spotify vs Apple Music vs Amazon Music Pitching Compared
Process, timeline, and success factors across the three major DSPs. How pitching differs on each platform and where to focus your efforts.
Each major streaming platform handles editorial pitching differently. Spotify democratizes access, Apple gates through distributors, and Amazon offers unique flexibility. Understanding these differences helps you prioritize and plan.
Quick Comparison
Feature
Spotify
Apple Music
Amazon Music
Direct artist access
Yes
No
Yes
Pitching tool
Spotify for Artists
Apple Music Pitch (via distributor)
Amazon Music for Artists
Minimum lead time
7 days
3-4 weeks (via distributor)
None (up to 14 days post-release)
Recommended lead time
4-6 weeks
4 weeks
2-3 weeks pre-release
Description limit
500 characters
Varies by distributor
1,000 characters
Post-release pitching
No
Limited
Yes (14 days)
Cost
Free
Varies (distributor-dependent)
Free
Spotify: Open Access, High Competition
Spotify is the most accessible platform for independent artists to pitch directly.
Process
Access Spotify for Artists (Admin or Editor role)
Navigate to Upcoming releases
Select one focus track per release
Complete genre, mood, instrument, and description fields
Submit at least 7 days before release (4-6 weeks recommended)
Strengths
Direct control: You write your own pitch without intermediaries.
Transparency: You know your pitch was submitted (though not whether it was reviewed).
Amazon Music: Flexibility and Emerging Opportunity
Amazon Music offers the most flexible pitching system and is often overlooked.
Process
Access the Amazon Music for Artists app
Navigate to "New Releases"
Select your track and complete pitch form
Submit pre-release or up to 14 days after release
Strengths
Post-release pitching: The 14-day post-release window is unique among major platforms.
Smaller market share: Amazon Music has fewer listeners than Spotify or Apple Music.
Less editorial prestige: Amazon playlists carry less industry cachet.
Limited ecosystem: Fewer cross-promotional opportunities compared to Spotify.
Best For
All artists should pitch Amazon. The post-release option is especially valuable for rush releases or testing market response. Lower competition means potentially higher success rates.
Platform Prioritization Strategy
For Most Independent Artists
Spotify (Priority 1): Largest platform, direct access, Release Radar guarantee
Relationship building: Successful pitches through good distributors can build ongoing access.
Weaknesses
No direct access: You depend entirely on your distributor's Apple relationship.
Variable quality: Some distributors pitch effectively; others check a box.
Cost may apply: Some distributors charge for pitching services.
No transparency: You may never know if your pitch was submitted, reviewed, or considered.
Best For
Artists with distributors who have strong Apple relationships. If your distributor doesn't pitch Apple effectively, consider this when choosing distribution partners.
Week
Spotify
Apple
Amazon
Week 1
Upload to distributor
Request distributor pitch
Upload to distributor
Week 2
Track appears in S4A, submit pitch
Distributor submits
Track appears in AM4A
Week 3-5
Editorial review
Editorial review
Submit pitch
Week 6
Release
Release
Release
Week 7-8
N/A
N/A
Post-release pitching window still open
What Each Platform Values
Priority
Spotify
Apple
Amazon
1
Marketing plan + metrics
Quality + Spatial Audio
Metadata accuracy
2
Genre fit
Artist development
Marketing context
3
Specific metadata
Exclusivity
Voice search optimization
Deezer: The Fourth Option
Deezer's pitching is restricted to labels and distributors with Provider accounts. Independent artists typically don't have direct access.
If your distributor has a Deezer relationship:
Lead time: 7 days minimum
Process: Through distributor
Opportunity: Lower competition in markets where Deezer is strong (Europe, Brazil)
The Bottom Line
Pitch all platforms where you have access:
Spotify: Required for any serious release strategy
Amazon: Underutilized opportunity with unique flexibility
Apple: Worth pursuing if your distributor enables it
Deezer: Bonus if accessible through your distributor
The effort to pitch each platform is minimal. The combined potential exposure is greater than focusing on any single platform alone.
Release Radar guarantee: Pitching 7+ days early guarantees your track appears in followers' Release Radar, independent of editorial selection.
Metadata optimization: Pitch data feeds algorithmic recommendations.
Relationship building: Successful pitches through good distributors can build ongoing access.
Weaknesses
No direct access: You depend entirely on your distributor's Apple relationship.
Variable quality: Some distributors pitch effectively; others check a box.
Cost may apply: Some distributors charge for pitching services.
No transparency: You may never know if your pitch was submitted, reviewed, or considered.
Best For
Artists with distributors who have strong Apple relationships. If your distributor doesn't pitch Apple effectively, consider this when choosing distribution partners.
Week
Spotify
Apple
Amazon
Week 1
Upload to distributor
Request distributor pitch
Upload to distributor
Week 2
Track appears in S4A, submit pitch
Distributor submits
Track appears in AM4A
Week 3-5
Editorial review
Editorial review
Submit pitch
Week 6
Release
Release
Release
Week 7-8
N/A
N/A
Post-release pitching window still open
What Each Platform Values
Priority
Spotify
Apple
Amazon
1
Marketing plan + metrics
Quality + Spatial Audio
Metadata accuracy
2
Genre fit
Artist development
Marketing context
3
Specific metadata
Exclusivity
Voice search optimization
Deezer: The Fourth Option
Deezer's pitching is restricted to labels and distributors with Provider accounts. Independent artists typically don't have direct access.
If your distributor has a Deezer relationship:
Lead time: 7 days minimum
Process: Through distributor
Opportunity: Lower competition in markets where Deezer is strong (Europe, Brazil)
The Bottom Line
Pitch all platforms where you have access:
Spotify: Required for any serious release strategy
Amazon: Underutilized opportunity with unique flexibility
Apple: Worth pursuing if your distributor enables it
Deezer: Bonus if accessible through your distributor
The effort to pitch each platform is minimal. The combined potential exposure is greater than focusing on any single platform alone.
