Pre‑adds can help, but only indirectly.
Apple does not reward the pre‑add itself in isolation. It rewards what the pre‑add produces:
- day‑one plays
- repeat listens over the first 1 to 4 weeks
- library engagement (adds and playlist behavior)
So the right question is: do your pre‑adds turn into real listening?
If you run a pre‑add campaign and then disappear on release day, you wasted the intent.
Sources
- Apple Music for Artists: pre‑adds documentation.
https://artists.apple.com/support/1118-apple-music-pre-adds
