You can add your own recordings to Spotify, but only through a distributor — Spotify does not accept uploads directly from artists

Spotify lets you upload songs you have recorded or own, but the process goes through a third-party distributor, not through Spotify itself. These distributors handle the technical work of getting your music onto Spotify and other streaming platforms. You pay a fee upfront (usually $10 to $50 per release) or a yearly subscription, and the distributor keeps a small percentage of what you earn. The whole process takes one to three weeks from upload to your music appearing on Spotify.

This is different from adding music you already own to your personal library — that happens inside the Spotify app itself and is when ready. This guide covers uploading your own recordings so other people can find and stream them.

Key Takeaways

  • You must use a music distributor like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore to upload your own recordings to Spotify; Spotify does not accept direct uploads from artists.
  • Most distributors charge a one-time fee per release ($10 to $50) or a yearly subscription ($50 to $150), and take a percentage of your streaming revenue.
  • You need the song file in MP3 or WAV format, artwork that is at least 3000 by 3000 pixels, and metadata like the song title, artist name, and release date before you upload.
  • After you upload through a distributor, it usually takes one to three weeks for your music to appear on Spotify and other platforms.
  • You keep ownership of your music; the distributor is just the middleman getting it to streaming services.

Choose a music distributor and create an account

Popular distributors include DistroKid, CD Baby, TuneCore, and Bandcamp. Each charges differently and has different features, so compare them before you sign up. DistroKid charges per release ($12.99 for a single, $24.99 for an album) or $119.99 per year for unlimited releases. CD Baby charges $9.95 per single or $49 per album, with no yearly fee. TuneCore charges $9.99 per single or $49.99 per album per year. Bandcamp lets you upload for free but takes a larger cut of sales.

Go to the distributor's website and click the sign-up button. You will need an email address and a password. Some distributors ask for your real name and address during signup; others ask later when you are ready to upload. You do not need to be a registered business or have a tax ID to start — most distributors work with solo artists and bedroom producers.

Prepare your song file and artwork

Your song must be in MP3 or WAV format. If you recorded it in a different format (like AIFF or FLAC), use free software like Audacity or an online converter to change it to MP3 or WAV before you upload. Make sure the file is at least 128 kilobits per second in quality; lower quality files may be rejected or sound poor on Spotify.

You also need artwork — the square image that appears next to your song on Spotify. The image must be at least 3000 by 3000 pixels and no larger than 5000 by 5000 pixels. It must be a JPG or PNG file. If you do not have artwork, use free design tools like Canva (which has music cover templates) or hire someone on Fiverr for $5 to $20. The artwork cannot contain explicit content, and it cannot be a photo of a real person's face unless that person is the artist.

Fill in your song's metadata

Metadata is the information about your song — the title, artist name, release date, and other details. Spotify uses this information to organize your music and help people find it. When you upload through your distributor, you will fill in fields for song title, artist name, album name, release date, genre, and sometimes a description or lyrics.

Be consistent with how you spell your artist name across all your uploads. If you upload one song as "John Smith" and another as "John M. Smith," Spotify may treat them as different artists. Use the exact spelling and capitalization every time. The release date should be the date you want the song to go live on Spotify, not the date you recorded it. Most distributors let you schedule a release date up to 30 days in the future.

Upload your files through the distributor

Log into your distributor account and look for a button that says "Upload," "New Release," or "Distribute." Click it and you will see a form asking for your song file, artwork, and metadata. Drag and drop your MP3 or WAV file into the upload box, or click to browse your computer and select it. Do the same for your artwork file. Then fill in the title, artist name, release date, and other fields.

Double-check everything before you submit. Misspelled titles or artist names are hard to fix after upload. Some distributors let you edit metadata after you submit, but others do not. Once you click "Upload" or "Submit," the distributor sends your music to Spotify and other platforms. You will usually get a confirmation email with a tracking number.

Wait for your music to appear on Spotify

After you upload, Spotify does not add your music when ready. Most distributors say it takes one to three weeks, though it is often faster. You can check the status in your distributor account — it will show "Pending," "Processing," or "Live." Once it shows "Live," your music is on Spotify and searchable by your artist name and song title.

When your song goes live, you can search for it in the Spotify app and add it to your library. You can also share the link with friends and family. Spotify will start counting streams when ready, though it may take a few days for streams to show up in your distributor's dashboard.

Understand what you earn and what you pay

Spotify pays between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream on average, though the exact amount varies by country and subscription type. If your song gets 1,000 streams, you might earn $3 to $5. Your distributor takes a percentage — usually 15 to 30 percent — before paying you the rest. So on 1,000 streams, you might receive $2 to $4 after the distributor's cut.

You also pay the distributor's upfront fee. If you pay $12.99 to upload a single, you need at least 3,000 to 4,000 streams just to break even. This is why most artists upload multiple songs over time rather than expecting to make money on a single release. Some distributors offer a yearly subscription instead, which makes sense if you plan to upload more than three or four songs per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add music I did not record myself to Spotify?

Only if you own the rights to it. If you own a recording or have permission from the copyright holder, you can upload it through a distributor. If you are uploading someone else's music without permission, Spotify will remove it and may ban your account.

What if I want to remove my song from Spotify later?

Log into your distributor account and look for a "Delete" or "Remove" option next to the song. Most distributors remove the song from all platforms within a few days. You will stop earning money from it when ready, though streams that already happened stay on your account.

Do I need to register my music with a copyright office before I upload it to Spotify?

No, your music is automatically copyrighted the moment you record it. You do not need to register it anywhere. However, registering with your country's copyright office (like the U.S. Copyright Office) gives you legal proof of ownership if there is ever a dispute.

Can I upload the same song to multiple distributors?

No. Each distributor sends your music to Spotify, and Spotify will reject duplicate uploads. Choose one distributor and stick with it for each song. If you want to switch distributors later, you have to wait for the song to be removed from Spotify before uploading it again elsewhere.

How long does it take to get paid after my song is on Spotify?

Most distributors pay monthly or quarterly, usually 30 to 90 days after the end of the month in which streams happened. So streams from January might not pay out until March or April. Check your distributor's payment schedule in their FAQ or settings.