Releasing great music is only half the battle—distributing it the right way is the other half. Many indie artists unknowingly sabotage their releases with preventable mistakes. Getting your metadata right, setting timelines properly, and double-checking your submission details can save you from lost streams and missed opportunities.

A simple typo can create a duplicate artist page or bury your song in search results. Always proofread your release metadata.

Tip: Match your artist name formatting exactly across all platforms.

Cover art that doesn’t meet platform requirements can delay your release. Make sure your image is the right size, high resolution, and free of logos or URLs.

Specs:
• 3000x3000 pixels
• JPEG or PNG format
• No text or logos that aren’t part of the artwork

Many artists upload a track and release it the next day. This kills your chances of getting playlisted. Plan your releases 2–4 weeks out.

Tip: Use that time to build pre-saves, pitch to curators, and promote.

Your ISRC code is your song’s digital fingerprint. Without it, you may not get paid properly or track your streams accurately.

Tip: Use your distributor’s auto-generated ISRC or apply for your own through the RIAA.

Forgetting to mark a song as explicit can get your track flagged or taken down. Always indicate if your lyrics contain profanity or adult themes.

Consistency is key. Uploading different versions of metadata for the same track on different platforms can confuse listeners and algorithms.

A smooth release starts with attention to detail. Avoid these common pitfalls so your hard work gets the recognition—and revenue—it deserves.

“The release is the handshake. Make it count.”