How Long Does DistroKid Take to Upload?

For musicians and artists looking to distribute their music to popular streaming platforms like Spotify, DistroKid presents itself as a reliable choice. There are a few critical questions that often arise when using DistroKid, such as "What is the ideal album art size?" and "How long does it take for my music to appear on Spotify?" In this article, we'll address these questions and provide insights into the music distribution process.

DistroKid Album Art Size

When submitting your music through DistroKid, it's essential to pay attention to the specifications for album art. Proper album art is crucial as it represents your music visually and needs to meet platform requirements to ensure it appears crisp and professional.

Here are the guidelines for album art size for DistroKid:

• Dimensions: The recommended dimensions for album art are 3000x3000 pixels. This size ensures that your artwork appears high quality on all devices and platforms.
• Format: The preferred formats for album art are JPEG or PNG. These formats maintain the right balance between quality and file size.
• Resolution: The image must be at least 72-300dpi (dots per inch). Higher resolutions produce better quality images.
• Color: Use RGB color space for your images, as this is standard for digital platforms.
• File Size: The file size should not exceed 10MB. This ensures that uploads and processing will go smoothly.

Ensuring your album art meets these requirements can help avoid delays in your release process and prevent issues with quality or acceptance on streaming platforms.

How Long Does DistroKid Take to Upload to Spotify?

One of the most frequently asked questions by artists using DistroKid is about the timeline for getting their music uploaded to Spotify. While the process is relatively straightforward, several factors can affect the overall time it takes.

Here is a general timeline and factors affecting the upload time:

• Initial Submission: Once you submit your music and album art on DistroKid, the platform begins processing it. This initial step typically takes about 1-2 business days.
• Review and Quality Check: During this phase, DistroKid and Spotify may review your submission to ensure compliance with their guidelines. This can add another 2-7 days.
• Platform Queue: Spotify has its own queue for releasing new music, which can vary depending on their schedule and the volume of new submissions. Generally, it can take 3-7 days for your music to appear on Spotify once the review process is complete.

Adding it all up, you can expect your music to appear on Spotify within 7-14 days from the date of submission. However, during peak times or holidays, the process might take slightly longer. It's always a good idea to plan your releases in advance to ensure they go live on your desired date.

Best Practices for Using DistroKid

To make the most out of your DistroKid experience and ensure a smooth release process, consider the following best practices:

• Prepare Your Artwork and Metadata: Before submitting your music, make sure your album art meets the specified requirements, and your metadata (such as song titles and artist name) is accurate.
• Schedule Your Release: Plan your release date well in advance. Submitting your music at least a few weeks ahead of the intended release date can help ensure everything goes smoothly.
• Promote Your Release: Use social media platforms and other promotional tools to create buzz around your release. Platforms like TikTok, SoundOn can be instrumental in reaching wider audiences.
• Monitor Your Submission: Keep an eye on the status of your submission through DistroKid’s dashboard. If there are any issues, addressing them promptly can help avoid delays.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your music gets the best possible exposure and reaches your audience without unnecessary hiccups.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding the requirements for DistroKid album art size and knowing the timeline for uploading music to Spotify can help artists plan their releases better. With dimensions of 3000x3000 pixels, JPEG or PNG formats, and ensuring the image resolution is between 72-300dpi, you can ensure your album art is up to standard.

Typically, the entire process of uploading your music to Spotify through DistroKid can take anywhere between 7-14 days, considering all the factors involved. By preparing your material in advance and following best practices, you can ensure a seamless and successful music distribution experience.

For artists looking to maximize their reach and streamline their distribution process, consider registering as a SoundOn artist here.