How to distribute your music to Apple Music and Spotify?
Founder & CEO, Futureproof Music School
To get your music on Apple Music and Spotify, you need to work with a digital music distributor since these platforms don't accept direct uploads from independent artists. Popular distribution services like DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, and BandLab allow you to upload your tracks once and distribute them to all major streaming platforms. Most distributors charge either a yearly subscription fee or take a percentage of your royalties, so choose one that fits your budget and release strategy. Once you upload your music with proper metadata (artist name, track titles, artwork, and ISRC codes), the distributor delivers your release to streaming services within 1-2 weeks, and you keep full ownership of your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I keep 100% of my royalties when using a music distributor?
Most distributors either take a percentage of your royalties (typically 10-15%) or charge an annual fee while letting you keep 100%. Services like DistroKid and TuneCore offer full royalty retention with their subscription models, while others like RouteNote have free tiers that take a commission.
How long does it take for my music to go live on streaming platforms after uploading?
Most distributors recommend uploading your music at least 2-4 weeks before your release date to ensure it appears on time. Apple Music and Spotify typically process releases within 3-7 business days, but scheduling ahead also gives you time to pitch for playlist consideration.
Can I change my artist name or album artwork after my music is already live on Spotify?
Yes, but the process varies by platform. You can update artwork through your distributor, though changes may take several days to reflect across all platforms. Changing your artist name is more complex and requires verification through Spotify for Artists to ensure your catalog stays connected to your profile.
John von Seggern
Founder & CEO, Futureproof Music School
John von Seggern is the founder and CEO of Futureproof Music School. He holds an MA in digital ethnomusicology (the anthropology of music on the internet) from UC Riverside, and a BA in Music, magna cum laude, from Carleton College. A techno producer and DJ since the late 1990s, he released as John von on his own net.label Xeriscape Records while working at Native Instruments, where he co-authored the MASSIVE synth manual. He contributed sound design to Pixar's WALL-E (2008), was a member of Jon Hassell's late-career Studio Group on Hassell's final two albums, ran Icon Collective's online program with Max Pote for eight years before Icon closed in May 2025, and authored three books on music technology including Laptop Music Power!. He architected Kadence, the AI music coach at the core of Futureproof.
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