How to Promote Your Music on Spotify: A Release Plan for Artists

Releasing music has never been easier. Getting people to listen has never been harder. Tens of thousands of new tracks are uploaded to streaming services every day, so a release without a plan often disappears without a trace.

This guide gives you a practical release plan: what to do before, on, and after release day to give your music the best chance on Spotify.

Before you start: set up your foundation

Claim your Spotify for Artists profile

Spotify for Artists lets you edit your profile, see your stats, pitch songs to editors, and add Canvas videos. Claim it as soon as your first release is live.

Polish your artist profile

• A high-quality profile photo and header.
• A short bio that tells listeners who you are and what your music sounds like.
• Links to your Instagram, TikTok, and website.
• An Artist Pick that highlights your latest release.

Know your goals

Are you trying to grow followers, reach new listeners, get on playlists, or build a fan base in a specific city? Your goal shapes how you spend time and money.

4 to 6 weeks before release

Deliver your music early

Send your track to your distributor at least four weeks before release day. This gives you time to pitch and promote.

Create a pre-save campaign

A pre-save link lets fans save your song before it's out, so it lands in their library on release day. Share it everywhere.

Plan your content

Prepare 10 to 20 short videos for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts: snippets, the story behind the song, studio clips, lyric videos, and behind-the-scenes moments.

At least 7 days before release

Pitch to Spotify's editors

In Spotify for Artists, pitch your upcoming song for editorial playlist consideration. Include genre, mood, instruments, culture, and a short, specific description. Pitching at least seven days before release typically gets the song into your followers' Release Radar playlists, even if editors don't pick it.

Reach out to independent curators

Find playlists in your genre that are actively updated and have real listeners. Send a short, personal message with your track. Avoid curators who promise guaranteed placement for payment, since that can break Spotify's rules.

Contact blogs and radio

Music blogs, college radio, and local radio stations still help artists get discovered. Personalize every pitch.

Release day

• Share everywhere: Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, your email list, and Discord.
• Update your Artist Pick to the new release.
• Add a Canvas to the track.
• Go live on Instagram or TikTok to celebrate with fans.
• Thank everyone who shares the release.

The first 4 weeks after release

The weeks after release are when Spotify's algorithm learns how listeners respond to your track.

Encourage saves and playlist adds

Saves and playlist adds are strong signals that people want to hear the song again. Ask fans to save the track, not just play it. Our article on Spotify saves, plays, and followers explains why.

Keep posting short-form video

One video rarely makes a song take off. Keep posting different angles: a new hook, a reaction, a duet, a fan cover.

Watch your data

Spotify for Artists shows where listeners come from, which playlists added you, and how many people saved the track. Double down on what works.

Optional: paid promotion

Paid options can give a release extra reach:

• Spotify's own tools, like Marquee and Discovery Mode, are available to eligible artists through Spotify for Artists or distributors.
• Social media ads on Instagram or TikTok can target fans of similar artists.
• Visibility services like Spotify plays, saves, or followers are used by some artists to make a new release look active.

Be careful with the last option. Spotify prohibits artificial streaming, and tracks with detected artificial streams can lose royalties or be removed, with possible penalties from distributors. Read your distributor's terms, keep any order modest, and treat it as a small supporting step, never your main plan.

Plan the next release

Momentum fades. Artists who release regularly, often every 4 to 8 weeks, keep their monthly listeners from dropping and give fans something new to share.

Release checklist

When	Task
4 to 6 weeks before	Deliver to distributor, set up pre-save, plan content
7+ days before	Pitch to Spotify editors, contact curators and blogs
Release day	Share everywhere, update Artist Pick, add Canvas
Weeks 1 to 4	Post short-form video, encourage saves, watch data
After 4 weeks	Plan the next release

Frequently asked questions

How long before release should I pitch to Spotify?

At least seven days, but earlier is better. Editors need time to listen.

Do pre-saves help?

Pre-saves add your song to fans' libraries on release day, which can boost early listening and saves.

Should I release singles or an album?

Many independent artists release a series of singles to keep momentum, then collect them into an EP or album.

Give every release a plan

Great music deserves a great launch. Follow a plan, start early, and keep promoting after release day. When you want to support a launch, explore our Spotify services and use them thoughtfully.