Is my song ready for Spotify? Check before you pitch

Spotify’s pitching rules, as the check reads them

• 7 days. Spotify asks you to deliver your music at least 7 days before release so its editors have time to listen. The check counts back 7 days from your release date and shows that day as your deadline.
• One song at a time. You can pitch one song; once it goes live, you can pitch the next. If another pitched song is still waiting, the check shows the first day you can pitch this one, or tells you the dates clash.
• Unreleased songs only. A song that’s already live can’t be pitched, and neither can compilations or songs you’re only featured on.
• Edits until release day. You can change a pitch up to release day, though Spotify says editors may not see late changes.
• Release Radar. Pitch an unreleased song at least 7 days ahead and Spotify adds it to your followers’ Release Radar, which updates every Friday. If you don’t pitch, Spotify picks which song from your release goes there.
• Music videos have their own pitch: official videos or performances that are unreleased or out for no more than 7 days. Spotify is rolling video pitching out gradually.

The readiness checklist

The rules decide whether you can pitch. These six checks decide how ready the song is when an editor, or a listener who has never heard you, presses play. They’re common release practice, not Spotify rules.

• Final master. Spotify plays music at about −14 LUFS and suggests mastering near that level, with true peaks under −1 dB.
• Cover art. Square and in sRGB. Spotify accepts 640 to 10,000 pixels a side; 3000 × 3000 px is the largest size CD Baby and TuneCore take, and both accept it.
• Credits and metadata. Title, artist names, songwriters and producers, spelled the way you want them shown.
• Artist profile. A current photo and bio for the people who tap your name.
• Pitch written. Your story, genres and mood, ready to paste. The pitch writer drafts one.
• Release-week posts planned. So the people who already follow you hear about it on day one.

Worked example

Say your single comes out on Friday 13 November 2026. The last day to pitch it for Release Radar is Friday 6 November. If another pitched song of yours comes out on Friday 23 October, you can pitch this one from 23 October to 6 November.

If that other song comes out on Wednesday 11 November instead, the dates clash: it goes live after this song’s last pitch day. Move this release to Friday 20 November or later and both songs get their pitch.

Questions artists ask

How far ahead should I pitch to Spotify?

At least 7 days before release, and earlier when you can. Spotify’s editors get thousands of pitches a week, and its own advice to artists is that “the earlier you pitch the better”.

Can I pitch more than one song?

Not at the same time. Pitch one song, and once it’s out, pitch the next. From an EP or album you pick one song, so choose the one you most want your followers to hear first.

Can I pitch a song that’s already out?

No. Once a song is live it can’t be pitched. Plan the next one instead: pick a Friday release date and pitch at least 7 days ahead.

Can I pitch a song I’m featured on?

No. Only a main artist can pitch, and compilations can’t be pitched at all. The main artist’s pitch covers the song, so agree with them who pitches and when.

Do I have to release on a Friday?

No, but Release Radar updates every Friday, so a Friday release reaches your followers’ playlist on day one. When you pick another day, the check offers the next Friday with one tap.

Does a pitch get my song on a playlist?

Editors choose what goes on their playlists, and Spotify says a pitch doesn’t secure a spot. What a pitch made 7 days ahead does secure is the song’s place in your followers’ Release Radar.

Related tools and guides

Sources

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