🌐Distribution
How Music Distribution Works
Getting your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere else people listen.
8 minMarch 2026Beginner
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What a Distributor Does
A music distributor is the middleman between you and streaming platforms. You can't upload directly to Spotify, Apple Music, etc. — you need a distributor to deliver your music, handle payments, and manage metadata.
Major Distributors Compared
DistroKid
- Cost: $22.99/year (unlimited uploads)
- Best for: Artists releasing frequently
- Keep: 100% of royalties
- Note: Removes music if you stop paying
TuneCore
- Cost: $9.99/single, $29.99/album per year
- Best for: Artists wanting more analytics
- Keep: 100% of royalties
- Note: Annual renewal fees per release
CD Baby
- Cost: $9.95/single, $29.95/album (one-time)
- Best for: Artists wanting set-it-and-forget-it
- Keep: 91% of royalties (9% commission)
- Note: One-time fee, music stays up forever
Amuse
- Cost: Free tier available
- Best for: Artists just starting out
- Keep: 100% on free tier
- Note: Limited features on free tier
The Release Process
- Upload your audio files (WAV, 16-bit, 44.1kHz)
- Add metadata (title, artist, genre, ISRC codes)
- Upload cover art (3000x3000px minimum)
- Set release date (allow 4-6 weeks for playlist consideration)
- Submit to stores
- Wait for delivery confirmation
Key Terms
- ISRC Code: A unique identifier for each recording. Your distributor usually assigns these.
- UPC Code: A barcode for your release (single, EP, or album).
- Metadata: All the information about your song — title, artist, genre, credits.
Common Mistakes
- Releasing without enough lead time (4-6 weeks minimum)
- Poor metadata (wrong genre, misspelled names)
- Low-quality cover art
- Not setting up Spotify for Artists before release
Key Takeaways
- A distributor delivers recordings and metadata to platforms; it usually does not replace publishing administration.
- Release metadata, ISRCs, artist profiles, and payout settings must be correct before release.
- Distributor terms vary on fees, commissions, takedowns, payment timing, and rights granted.
Action Checklist
- Choose a distributor based on fees, commission, support, platform coverage, payment timing, and contract terms.
- Prepare final audio, cover art, titles, credits, ISRC/UPC data, explicit tags, and release date before uploading.
- Confirm whether the distributor collects YouTube, neighboring rights, publishing, or other add-on royalties.
- Read the distributor agreement before granting rights or enabling optional monetization services.
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming every distributor offers the same rights and payout terms.
- Uploading inconsistent artist names or contributor credits.
- Thinking distribution registration also registers publishing rights.
Sources
References checked for the current version of this guide.