On Spotify, no. Once a track is released, it cannot be pitched through Spotify for Artists. The editorial pitching window closes the moment your song goes live.
Other platforms have different rules. Amazon Music allows post-release pitching up to 14 days after release. Apple Music and Deezer submissions are handled through distributors with varying policies.
The Spotify Rule
Spotify requires all pitches to be submitted for unreleased music only. The minimum lead time is 7 days before release, with 4-6 weeks recommended.
Once your track is live:
- You cannot submit it for editorial consideration
- There is no appeal process
- There are no exceptions for "I forgot to pitch"
This policy exists because editorial playlists focus on new music discovery. Already-released tracks don't fit the "new release" positioning of playlists like New Music Friday.
Why Artists Miss the Window
Common reasons for missing the pitch window:
Rush releases: Needing to release quickly for timely reasons (news hooks, viral moments) without time to pitch.
Distributor delays: Track not appearing in Spotify for Artists in time to meet the 7-day minimum.
Oversight: Simply forgetting to pitch before release day.
Same-week uploads: Uploading and releasing within the same week, leaving no time to pitch.
Amazon Music Exception
Amazon Music for Artists allows pitching up to 14 days after a track is released. This is unique among major platforms.
If you missed your Spotify pitch window:
- Open the Amazon Music for Artists app
- Navigate to "New Releases"
- Pitch your track even if it's already out
- Include the same information you would for a pre-release pitch
Post-release pitching is less effective than pre-release (editors prefer truly new content), but it's better than no pitch at all.
What Happens to Released Tracks
Just because you can't pitch doesn't mean your released music is invisible. Several pathways exist:
Algorithmic Discovery
Spotify's recommendation engine can surface released tracks through:
Discover Weeklybased on listener taste profiles- Radio stations for similar artists
- Autoplay after related tracks
- Personalized mixes
Strong engagement metrics (low skip rate, high saves) trigger algorithmic recommendations regardless of editorial pitching.
User-Generated Playlists
Independent playlist curators can add your music anytime. Some artists find success through:
- Direct outreach to playlist curators (carefully, to avoid spam)
- Music appearing organically in themed playlists
- Fan-created playlists gaining traction
Organic Editorial
In rare cases, editors may discover released music through:
- Viral moments (TikTok, social media)
- Significant streaming growth
- Press coverage that catches editorial attention
These are exceptions, not strategies. You can't plan for organic editorial discovery of released music.
Preventing Missed Pitches
Build pitching into your release process so you never miss the window:
Release calendar checklist:
- Track uploaded to distributor (6+ weeks before release)
- Track appears in Spotify for Artists (verify within days of upload)
- Spotify pitch submitted (4-6 weeks before release)
- Distributor notified for Apple Music pitch
- Amazon pitch submitted (pre-release or within 14 days)
Warning signs you might miss the window:
- Uploading less than 2 weeks before planned release
- Distributor showing delayed processing times
- Deciding release date after upload without checking pitching
The "Already Released" Regret
If you've released without pitching, focus forward:
- Accept the missed opportunity for this release
- Invest in other promotion: paid ads, PR, organic growth
- Let the algorithm work: strong engagement can still trigger recommendations
- Plan better for the next release: build in proper lead time