So you’ve made the music. Now you want it on Spotify. Here’s exactly how to upload music to Spotify, and how to make sure you keep control and 100% of your royalties while you’re at it.
Can You Directly Upload Music to Spotify?
Short answer: no. Spotify doesn’t accept music directly from artists. You need a music distributor to get your tracks onto the platform.
A distributor acts as the bridge between you and Spotify, delivering your audio files, artwork, and metadata, collecting your royalties, and making sure everything is set up correctly.
The good news? It’s straightforward, affordable, and you can be live on Spotify within days.
Step-by-Step: How to Upload Music to Spotify
1. Choose a Music Distributor
This is the most important decision. Look for a distributor that:
- Delivers to Spotify (and 150+ other platforms)
- Lets you keep 100% of your royalties
- Charges a fair, transparent fee (not a commission cut on every stream).
- Offers real support from people who actually know music
At Horus Music, unlimited distribution starts from just £20/year.
No commission, no hidden fees, and you retain full ownership of your music.
2. Create Your Account
Sign up with your chosen distributor and set up your artist profile. You’ll need:
- Your artist name (exactly as you want it to appear on Spotify, most platforms are case sensitive)
- A valid email address
- Payment details for receiving royalties
3. Prepare Your Files
Before you upload, make sure you have:
- Audio file: WAV, minimum 16-bit/44.1kHz
- Artwork: 3000 x 3000px JPEG or PNG, no text violations, no Spotify/Apple logos
- Metadata: Track title, featured artists, genre, release date, UPC and ISRC codes (at Horus Music we provide UPC and ISRC codes for free)
Get this right before you submit, errors here cause delays.
4. Submit Your Release
Upload your files through your distributor’s platform, fill in your release details, and choose your release date. Give yourself at least 7 days before your target date. Ideally longer if you want to pitch for editorial playlists, or have a detailed marketing strategy in place.
5. Claim Your Spotify for Artists Profile
Once your music is live, claim your Spotify for Artists profile. This lets you:
- Add a bio and photos
- See your streaming stats
- Pitch upcoming releases for editorial playlist consideration
6. Pitch for Editorial Playlists
Through platforms like Spotify for Artists and Amazon Music for Artists, you can pitch an upcoming song for editorial playlists.
This is where the right distributor makes a real difference. At Horus Music, we offer direct editorial playlist pitching services to pitch direct to Spotify, Apple Music and more platforms. Learn more here.
How Long Does It Take?
At Horus Music we process and distribute releases as soon as possible, and can usually complete this within 1 one business day. Once approved and sent out it is up to each platform to process the release ready for the chosen release date.
Most releases Horus Music send to Spotify are processed within 3-5 business days of submission. Plan your release date accordingly, and always leave extra time if you’re running a campaign around it.
Keep 100% of What You Earn
Some distributors take a percentage of every stream. That means every time someone plays your track, they take a cut – forever.
With Horus Music, you pay one low annual fee and keep every penny. No commission. No surprises.
Ready to Get Your Music on Spotify?
Join thousands of independent artists and labels already distributing globally with Horus Music. Unlimited releases, 150+ platforms, and real support from people who love music as much as you do.