To upload music to Spotify for free, you’ll need to use a third-party music distributor, as Spotify itself doesn’t allow independent artists to upload music directly. There are several platforms that provide free distribution services to Spotify, such as:
1. Amuse
Amuse offers free music distribution to Spotify, along with other major streaming platforms. You can upload your music via their website or mobile app, and they will distribute it without taking any commission on your earnings. However, they do have a paid plan if you want extra features like faster release times or access to more detailed analytics.
2. RouteNote
RouteNote offers a free distribution service that lets you upload music to Spotify and other streaming platforms. With their free plan, RouteNote takes a percentage of the revenue you generate, but you don’t pay anything upfront. You can also choose a paid plan if you’d prefer to keep 100% of your earnings.
3. Soundrop
Soundrop is another service that allows you to upload music to Spotify for free. It’s particularly popular among independent artists and creators, especially for those releasing cover songs or collaborations. Soundrop takes a small percentage of your royalties in exchange for free distribution.
4. TuneCore (Free Trial)
TuneCore is primarily a paid service, but they do offer a free trial or discounted rates occasionally. They distribute your music to Spotify and other platforms, and you keep 100% of your royalties. If you’re okay with the cost in the long run, TuneCore can be a great option for professionals.
Steps to Upload Music to Spotify Using a Distributor:
1. Sign up for a distributor account.
Choose one of the distributors mentioned above (Amuse, RouteNote, etc.) and create an account on their platform.
2. Prepare your music files.
Ensure your tracks are in the right format (typically WAV or FLAC) and have all the necessary metadata (song titles, artist name, album cover, etc.).
3. Upload your music.
Use the distributor’s platform to upload your music files and enter all the required details, like song title, genre, release date, etc.
4. Select Spotify for distribution.
When prompted, select Spotify as one of the platforms where you want your music to be distributed.
5. Set a release date.
You’ll often be asked to choose a release date. It’s good practice to upload your music well in advance (usually at least 2-3 weeks before the release date).
6. Confirm and submit.
After double-checking all the information, confirm and submit your music. The distributor will handle the rest, and your music will be available on Spotify and other platforms once approved.
Remember that the process can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the distributor and how long it takes for Spotify to process and approve your music.
