Why Every Independent Artist Needs a Personal Brand
July 8, 2026Over the past decades, the music industry has experienced significant changes. Streaming services, social media networks, and online marketing tools have made i...
Releasing your first song on Spotify is a milestone, and using the right digital distribution partner makes it much simpler. ST Digital enables you to distribute your song on Spotify and other leading platforms such as Apple Music, JioSaavn, Wynk, and YouTube Music without any setup fees.
This guide will take you through the entire process, from what you need to have ready before you begin, to uploading your song on the ST Digital platform, the typical time it takes for Spotify to approve your song, and what you need to do once your song is live on Spotify.
What you need before uploading your song
Before logging into ST Digital, prepare a few essentials so your release is smooth and gets approved by Spotify and other stores.
- High‑quality audio file
- Format: WAV or high‑quality MP3 (avoid low‑bitrate or clipped audio).
- Make sure the final master is properly balanced and normalized (no distortion or sudden volume jumps).
- Correct metadata
- Track title, primary artist name, featured artists (if any), language, genre, and release date.
- Avoid generic titles like “Track 1” and do not stuff extra info such as “official audio” into the main title field.
- Cover artwork
- Square image (e.g., 3000×3000 px), JPG or PNG, clear and non‑blurry.
- No logos of streaming platforms, no explicit contact details, URLs, or misleading text that could cause store rejection.
- Your ST Digital account
- Sign up for a free account on ST Digital and accept the distribution agreement outlining rights and royalty rules.
Having these ready saves time and reduces the chance of your song being rejected or delayed by Spotify and other platforms.
Step‑by‑step: Uploading your track in ST Digital
ST Digital’s dashboard is designed so beginners can create a release in a few guided steps. The exact labels on buttons may evolve, but the flow remains similar.
- Log in to your ST Digital dashboard
Use your registered email and password to access the artist dashboard where you manage your releases and royalties. - Create a new release
In the releases section, click the option like “Add New” or “Create Release”, then choose whether you are releasing a single, EP, or album.
For your first track, select “Single” so the dashboard only expects one main audio file. - Enter basic release details
- Release title (usually the same as the main track title for singles).
- Primary artist name exactly as you want it to appear on Spotify.
- Language, primary genre, and any sub‑genre (e.g., Hindi Pop, Punjabi Hip‑Hop, English Indie).
- Optional: label name if you operate under a label brand; if not, leave it blank or use your artist name, depending on ST Digital’s guidelines.
- Upload your cover artwork
Upload the prepared square artwork that follows store rules on size and content.
Double‑check spelling on the cover; it should match the metadata (artist name and title) to avoid confusion for listeners. - Add track‑level details
Inside the release, add your audio file and track info.- Track title and artist credits (feat., remixers, producers where supported).
- ISRC code (if you have one) or let ST Digital generate it for you when the feature is available.
- Explicit content flag if your song contains strong language (stores can reject mis‑flagged content).
- Choose stores: include Spotify and more
ST Digital distributes to major platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, Wynk, YouTube Music and many more.
Make sure Spotify is checked, and consider selecting all available platforms to maximize your reach in India and globally. - Set your release date
- Recommended: pick a release date at least 2–3 weeks in the future.
- This gives enough time for approval and lets you pitch your track to playlists via Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release.
- Review and submit for distribution
Go through every field once more to check spelling, credits, and dates.
When you are satisfied, click the publish or submit button to send your release to validation inside ST Digital.
After submission, ST Digital validates your release, then delivers it to Spotify and other stores if everything follows the guidelines.
How long does Spotify take to show your song?
After your release has been approved by the distributor, it will take Spotify between 1-3 business days to process and make your song live, provided there are no issues with the guidelines and the date of your release has come. It is always recommended to upload your song at least two weeks before the release date.
If you have set a release date, your song will be available on that date on Spotify and other platforms. It is normal for your song to be available on Spotify first and then on a few smaller platforms after that.
What to do after your song goes live
Your work is not finished when your song appears on Spotify; this is where promotion and data tracking start.
- Claim your Spotify for Artists profile to manage artist information, pitch tracks to editorial and algorithmic playlists, and see listener analytics.
- Use ST Digital’s reporting dashboard to monitor streams, territories, and revenue across platforms, then adjust your marketing based on what is working.
- Share your Spotify link on Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and WhatsApp status, focusing on the first 5–10 seconds of the hook that grabs attention.
With consistent releases and smart use of analytics, you can build a serious audience starting from your very first Spotify drop.
Conclusion
Releasing your first track on Spotify can be made easy if you understand the steps and use a good distribution service. With ST Digital, you can upload your audio, artwork, and metadata one time and get your track on Spotify and the main Indian and international platforms without paying a fee upfront. By doing your file preparation work, uploading your files a couple of weeks before you plan to release, and using tools such as Spotify for Artists and analytics from ST Digital, you can position yourself for success with your first release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need a record label to distribute my first track on Spotify via ST Digital?
No, you don’t need a record label; artists can register themselves on ST Digital and distribute their tracks to Spotify and other platforms on their own.
2. Is it free to distribute my track on Spotify via ST Digital?
ST Digital provides free music distribution services in India to major music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, JioSaavn, and YouTube Music, as per their terms and conditions.
3. What audio file type should I use while uploading on ST Digital?
You should use a high-quality WAV file or a high-bitrate MP3 file with proper mastering and no clipping to avoid the risk of rejection and ensure good audio quality.
4. What are the requirements for the artwork while distributing on Spotify?
Your artwork should be a square image in JPG or PNG format with high resolution and should not have any logos, URLs, or misleading text related to music streaming platforms.
5. How early should I upload my track before its release on Spotify via ST Digital?
You should upload your track at least 2-3 weeks before its release date to allow time for store approval and playlist pitching.
6. How long does Spotify take to make my song live after submission?
After the distributor approves and sends your release, Spotify will take around 1-3 business days to process and make your song live, provided your release date has come.
7. Can I choose only Spotify and skip other platforms?
Most distributors, including ST Digital, allow you to choose stores, so you can choose only Spotify if you want, but choosing all stores will give you more reach by default.
8. Do I keep 100% of my royalties with ST Digital?
You should check the licensing and distribution agreement with ST Digital for the exact revenue-sharing terms and conditions applicable to your account.
9. What if my song gets rejected by Spotify or other stores?
Your song might get rejected due to issues like poor audio quality, wrong metadata, or problematic artwork, so you should resolve the pointed-out issue and resubmit your song through ST Digital.
10. Can I release from outside India using ST Digital?
ST Digital supports artists from various regions and distributes to global platforms, but the terms and conditions might vary, so you should check the website and FAQs.
11. How do I pitch my track to Spotify playlists?
After setting up your release, claim your Spotify for Artists account and utilize the platform to pitch your upcoming release to editorial playlists at least 7 days prior to its release.
12. Can I upload a collaboration or featured artist track?
Yes, as long as the artist names are correctly inputted into the metadata and you have the rights to the track.
13. How do I track my streams and earnings after release?
You can track your store-by-store streams and earnings using ST Digital’s reporting platform, as well as your listener insights on Spotify for Artists.
14. Can I change my release date after submitting on ST Digital?
This is dependent on the distributor, as some may allow date changes before finalizing delivery to stores. Check ST Digital’s help and support pages or ask their support team.
