Start your campaign

Music release plan template: your release date, turned into a dated plan

Free tool · runs in your browser · Facts checked 8 October 2026

Quick answer: plan backwards from a Friday release date. Upload to your distributor 3 to 4 weeks before release, pitch the song to Spotify’s editors at least 7 days before release, and keep release week for posting. The planner below turns your own date into those deadlines and puts them in your calendar.

The planner runs in your browser. If it doesn’t load, the sample plan further down shows exactly what it builds for a Friday release.

How the planner builds your plan

Every date comes from a Spotify rule, a distributor’s published advice, or a suggestion we label as ours.

  • Pitch at least 7 days before release. Spotify asks for a week so its editors have time to listen, and a song pitched that early is the one your followers get in Release Radar (Spotify for Artists, pitching guide).
  • One pitched song at a time, and only before release. In Spotify’s words, “You can only pitch one song at a time.” The next pitch opens when the pitched song goes live, and a song that is already out can’t be pitched.
  • Release on a Friday. New music has come out worldwide on Fridays since IFPI set the global release day in 2015, and Spotify refreshes Release Radar every Friday. The planner starts you on the first Friday at least 5 weeks away and flags any other day.
  • Upload 2 to 4 weeks ahead. TuneCore and Ditto suggest 3 to 4 weeks; DistroKid recommends at least two weeks if you want to pitch. The plan aims for 4 weeks and marks 2 weeks as the last safe day.
  • Countdown Pages for some releases only. Spotify’s pre-release page is for new albums and EPs from artists with at least 3,000 monthly active listeners, and it appears within 72 hours of delivery. Otherwise the plan suggests a pre-save link.
  • Canvas. A 3 to 8 second vertical loop, 9:16, 720 to 1080 px tall, MP4 or JPG.

Steps marked “Suggestion” are ours, not rules: files ready a week before upload, release-week posts planned on the pitch deadline, first-week numbers read after 7 days, and the next release lined up about 4 weeks out, since Release Radar keeps a song up to 4 weeks for listeners who haven’t played it.

Worked example: a single out on Friday 13 November 2026

The plan the tool builds for a single with no video and no other pitched song waiting.

  1. Fri 9 Oct 2026: files ready, with final master, cover art, title and credits.
  2. Fri 16 Oct: upload to your distributor, 4 weeks ahead.
  3. Fri 23 Oct: the release shows under Upcoming in Spotify for Artists. Pitch it, and set up a pre-save link.
  4. Fri 30 Oct: the last upload day that still leaves time to pitch.
  5. Tue 3 Nov: Canvas ready.
  6. Fri 6 Nov: pitch deadline, 7 days before release. Plan your release-week posts.
  7. Fri 13 Nov: release day. Release Radar refreshes, and your next pitch opens.
  8. Fri 20 Nov: read your first week in Spotify for Artists.
  9. Fri 11 Dec: 4 weeks out. Line up the next release.

Questions artists ask

Do I have to release on a Friday?

No, your distributor will accept any date. But new music comes out worldwide on Fridays and Spotify refreshes Release Radar every Friday, so a Friday release lines up with both. The planner flags any other day and offers the next Friday with one tap.

How far ahead should I pitch to Spotify?

At least 7 days before release, in Spotify for Artists. Earlier is better: editors get more time to listen, and pitching at least a week ahead also picks the song your followers get in Release Radar.

How early should I upload to my distributor?

Between 2 and 4 weeks before release. Uploading early also leaves time to fix metadata, or a release that lands on the wrong artist profile, before the pitch deadline.

Can I pitch two songs at once?

No. Spotify takes one pitched song at a time, and the next pitch opens when that song goes live. For an EP or album, choose one unreleased song as the focus track. Tell the planner about another pitched song and it moves your pitch window to fit.

What is a Countdown Page, and who can use one?

It is Spotify’s own pre-release page for a new album or EP. You need at least 3,000 monthly active listeners, singles aren’t eligible, and the option appears within 72 hours of your distributor delivering the release. Everyone else can share a pre-save link from their distributor.

Can I still pitch a song after it’s released?

No, once a song is live it can’t be pitched. Spotify still picks songs from your new release for your followers’ Release Radar. The planner shows the passed deadline and the first Friday that leaves time to pitch.

Related tools and guides

MusicPromoLab runs targeted ads that put your song in front of real listeners who already love music like yours. Start with one song: €48 a month, ads included. Renews monthly, cancel anytime.

See how it works

Sources

  1. Spotify for Artists: Pitching music and videos to Spotify playlist editors (accessed 8 Oct 2026)
  2. Spotify for Artists: Getting music on Release Radar (accessed 8 Oct 2026)
  3. Spotify for Artists: Getting started with Countdown Pages on Spotify (accessed 8 Oct 2026)
  4. Spotify for Artists: Canvas guidelines (accessed 8 Oct 2026)
  5. IFPI: on creating New Music Fridays in 2015 (20 Jul 2023)
  6. TuneCore Help: How long does it take for my music to go live in stores? (accessed 8 Oct 2026)
  7. DistroKid Help: Why do I not see my release under Upcoming in Spotify for Artists? (accessed 8 Oct 2026)
  8. Ditto Music Support: How long before my release date should I upload my music? (updated 13 Feb 2024)

Spotify is a trademark of Spotify AB. MusicPromoLab is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with Spotify.