Yes, You Need a Distributor
Spotify does not allow individual artists to upload music directly. The same is true for Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and every other major streaming platform.
These platforms work exclusively with licensed distributors who:
- Have technical integrations with platform APIs
- Meet audio and metadata quality standards
- Handle royalty accounting for millions of streams
- Assume responsibility for content legitimacy
A distributor is the mandatory intermediary between your finished music and streaming platforms.
Why Direct Upload Doesn't Exist
Spotify hosts over 100 million tracks from millions of artists. Processing individual uploads at that scale is impractical. Distributors batch deliveries, standardize formats, and handle administrative complexity that platforms don't want to manage themselves.
The system also provides accountability. When fraud, copyright infringement, or quality issues occur, Spotify works with the distributor - not individual artists. This simplifies dispute resolution and enforcement.
Your Distributor Options
Getting on Spotify requires choosing one distributor. Common options:
Subscription-based: DistroKid ($24.99/year), TuneCore ($29.99/year), Ditto ($19/year). Pay annually for unlimited uploads, keep 100% of royalties.
Per-release: CD Baby ($9.99/single, $14.99/album). One-time fee, 9% commission on royalties.
Commission-based free: RouteNote (15% commission), Amuse (varies). No upfront cost, percentage of earnings.
All legitimate distributors deliver to Spotify. The choice comes down to pricing model, features, and support quality - not access.
What About Record Labels?
Major and indie labels use distributors too - often internal distribution arms or exclusive partnerships. Sony artists go through The Orchard. Universal uses Virgin Music. Smaller labels use the same distributors available to independent artists.
A label deal isn't required for Spotify access. Distribution is available to anyone with finished music and a small budget (or willingness to share royalties).
The Process
- Sign up with a distributor
- Upload your audio (WAV format) and artwork
- Enter metadata (title, credits, genre, release date)
- Submit for review (1-3 days)
- Music is delivered to Spotify (2-5 days)
- Release goes live on your scheduled date
Once live, you claim your Spotify for Artists profile to access analytics, playlist pitching, and profile customization. Your distributor handles ongoing royalty collection and payment.
Common Misconceptions
"Spotify for Artists lets you upload directly." No. Spotify for Artists provides analytics and profile management for artists who are already distributed. It's not an upload tool.
"I can email Spotify my music." No submission email exists. Spotify only accepts content through licensed distributor feeds.
"Getting verified gives upload access." Verification (the blue checkmark) confirms identity for artists already on the platform. It doesn't create upload capability.
"Distributors take my rights." Legitimate distributors do not take ownership of your music. They're service providers, not labels. You retain full ownership of masters and publishing.
The distribution requirement applies equally to bedroom producers and major artists. It's simply how the streaming ecosystem operates.