Spotify has become a leading platform for audio content, offering a massive audience for musicians and creators to share their work. If you’re looking to get your music or audio content onto Spotify, this guide will walk you through the process of posting music on Spotify using Spotify for Creators. Whether you are a musician, podcaster, or audio content creator, understanding how to effectively upload your audio is the first step to reaching millions of listeners.
Spotify for Creators empowers you to publish your episodes.
This guide focuses on uploading audio content. If you’re interested in publishing video podcasts, you can also explore how to upload video to Spotify.
Important Note: Always ensure you have the rights to upload any audio content. Uploading copyrighted material that belongs to others is a violation of Spotify’s Terms of Service.
Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading Your Episode on Spotify
Spotify for Creators provides a straightforward process for uploading your audio content. You can manage uploads via the web platform or the mobile app, offering flexibility for creators on the go.
Uploading via Web Platform
- Navigate to New Episode: On the Spotify for Creators website, locate and click the New episode button. This is typically found on your dashboard or episode management page.
- Select Your Audio File: After clicking “New episode,” you’ll see an option to Select a file. Click this button to browse your computer’s files and choose the audio file you wish to upload. Spotify supports various file formats, which we will detail later.
Uploading via Mobile App
- Access Podcast Section: Open the Spotify for Creators mobile app and tap on the Podcast icon, usually located at the bottom navigation bar.
- Initiate New Upload: Look for a + button within the Podcast section. Tapping this will reveal options for creating new content. Select Select a file to proceed with uploading an existing audio file from your mobile device.
Note on Video Content: Currently, Spotify for Creators does not offer direct recording or editing of videos. For creators looking to publish video podcasts, integration with Riverside is available via Spotify for Creators web. Riverside is a platform that aids in recording and editing video content, which can then be published to Spotify. You can read more about the Riverside integration or find tutorial videos for visual guidance.
Publishing Your Episode and Setting Episode Details
Before you can make your first episode publicly available on Spotify, you will need to verify your Spotify for Creators account. Typically, a verification email is sent to you upon account creation. If you haven’t received this email, check this article for troubleshooting.
Once your file is uploaded, you’ll be directed to the Details page. This is where you configure essential information about your episode:
- Episode Title and Description: Create a compelling title and write a concise and engaging description for your episode. Use keywords relevant to your content to improve discoverability on Spotify.
- Content Checks: Complete the Content checks section, indicating if your content contains explicit material or is suitable for all audiences.
- Additional Details (Optional): Enhance your episode’s organization and presentation by adding season and episode numbers, and custom episode artwork. Artwork can significantly improve the visual appeal of your episode on Spotify.
Scheduling Your Publish Date
Spotify offers flexibility in when your episode goes live:
- Publish Immediately: To publish your episode right away, select Now under the Publish date option. Your episode will become available on Spotify almost instantly.
- Schedule for Later: If you prefer to publish at a specific time in the future, choose Schedule. You can select your desired date and time for publication. Remember that publish times are displayed in your local time zone.
Managing Scheduled Episodes
If you need to adjust your scheduled publish date, Spotify allows easy modifications:
- Web Platform: Navigate to the episode you wish to reschedule. Click on the three dots (more options) associated with the episode, and then select Revert to draft. This will remove the scheduled publish time and allow you to reschedule or save as a draft.
- Mobile App: Select the episode, and tap the Edit schedule icon (). This will allow you to modify the scheduled time or revert to draft.
Your episode will be live on Spotify as soon as it’s published, unless you have scheduled it for a future release. If you need to save your progress and continue editing later, simply click the X icon typically located in the top-right corner of the episode details page. Your work will be saved as a draft.
Understanding Supported File Types for Spotify Uploads
Spotify for Creators is designed to support a range of audio and video file types to accommodate different creator workflows.
Audio File Types
Spotify officially supports the following audio file formats:
- MP3: A widely compatible and compressed audio format, ideal for balancing file size and audio quality.
- M4A: Another compressed audio format, often providing better audio quality than MP3 at a similar file size, particularly when using AAC encoding.
- WAV: An uncompressed audio format that retains the highest audio quality. WAV files are larger in size compared to MP3 and M4A.
Spotify also supports video files for video podcasts. You can find more detailed information about uploading video content in this guide.
File Size Considerations
While Spotify does not impose a strict file size limit, it’s important to consider the implications of uploading large files. Larger files will naturally take longer to upload and process. Additionally, a less stable internet connection increases the risk of upload failures with very large files.
For MP3 files, it is recommended to minimize the size of embedded artwork, ID3v2 tags, and any other metadata. Keeping metadata lean helps ensure smoother uploads and processing.
Troubleshooting Common Upload Issues
Encountering errors during the upload process can be frustrating. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help resolve common issues:
- Verify Supported File Type: Double-check that the audio file you are trying to upload is in one of Spotify’s supported formats (MP3, M4A, or WAV). Using unsupported file types will result in upload errors.
- Check File Playback: Ensure that the audio file itself is working correctly. Play the file on your device to confirm it’s not corrupted and plays as expected. If the file is damaged or doesn’t play locally, Spotify will likely reject it.
- Browser Compatibility: In some cases, browser incompatibility can cause upload issues, especially when using the web platform. Refer to this list of browser compatibility for media formats to ensure your browser fully supports the file type you are attempting to upload. Consider updating your browser to the latest version or trying a different browser if you suspect compatibility issues.
By following these guidelines, you should be well-equipped to post your music and audio content on Spotify, reaching a global audience and expanding your listener base.
