Distributing a Release
Once your release is created and complete, it’s time to send it to streaming platforms. This guide walks you through the distribution process, from selecting stores to monitoring delivery.
Before You Distribute
Make sure your release is ready:
| Requirement | Status Check |
|---|---|
| Artwork | Uploaded, 3000x3000 pixels minimum |
| All tracks | Uploaded with complete metadata |
| Release details | Title, artist, genre, catalog number filled in |
| Release date | Set at least 7 days in the future (recommended) |
| Outlets | At least one distribution outlet selected |
Tip: The release form will show validation errors if anything is missing. Address all errors before submitting.
Step 1: Open Your Release
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Go to Catalogue > My Releases.
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Find your release and click to open it.
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You should see the release in Draft status.
Step 2: Select Distribution Outlets
Click the Outlets tab if you haven’t already configured your distribution targets.
Choosing Outlets
You have several options:
All Outlets (Recommended)
Select All Outlets to maximize your reach. Your music will be delivered to:
Major Streaming Services:
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Amazon Music
- YouTube Music
- Deezer
- TIDAL
- Pandora
Social Platforms:
- TikTok
- Instagram/Facebook (Meta)
- Snapchat
Regional Services:
- NetEase (China)
- QQ Music (China)
- Anghami (Middle East)
- JioSaavn (India)
- And 150+ more…
Why choose all? Wider distribution means more opportunities for discovery. There’s no downside to being available everywhere.
Custom Selection
If you need to limit distribution:
- Uncheck All Outlets.
- Select individual platforms.
Reasons to limit distribution:
- Exclusive deals with specific platforms
- Regional restrictions on your music
- Specific platform requirements (like Beatport)
Special Outlets
Some outlets have additional requirements:
| Outlet | Special Requirements |
|---|---|
| Beatport | Electronic/dance music genres, additional metadata |
| TikTok | May require separate opt-in |
| YouTube Content ID | Enables monetization but has specific rules |
Step 3: Confirm Your Release Date
Click the Date Settings tab to review your timing.
Release Date Timing
| Lead Time | Benefits |
|---|---|
| 7+ days | Eligible for Spotify Release Radar, time for pre-saves |
| 14+ days | Better chance for editorial playlist consideration |
| 21+ days | Full editorial consideration, marketing preparation time |
Important: Once submitted, changing your release date requires restarting the approval process.
Pre-Order Settings (Optional)
If you want to enable pre-orders on Apple Music/iTunes:
- Toggle on Pre-Order/Pre-Save.
- Set the pre-order date (must be before release date).
- Pre-orders can be set up to 366 days in advance.
Step 4: Run Validation
Before submitting, LabelGrid validates your release to catch common issues.
- Click the Validation button (or it may run automatically).
Understanding Validation Results
| Icon | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Green checkmark | Passed | Good to go |
| Yellow warning | Non-blocking issue | Review but can proceed |
| Red error | Blocking issue | Must fix before submitting |
Common Validation Issues
Blocking (Must Fix):
- Missing artwork
- Missing catalog number
- No tracks added
- Missing release date
- Audio file format issues
Warnings (Review):
- Release date very close (less than 7 days)
- Missing optional metadata (secondary genre, etc.)
- Artwork close to minimum size
Fix issues: Click on any validation item to jump to the field that needs attention.
See also: Validation and Review for a complete guide to validation errors and how to resolve them.
Step 5: Submit for Review
Once validation passes, you’re ready to submit.
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Review all your release details one final time.
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Click Submit for Review.
- Confirm the submission in the dialog.
What Happens at Submission
When you click submit:
- Status changes to “Pending Review”
- Release is locked - most fields can’t be edited
- Review queue - your release joins the review queue
- Notification - you’ll be notified when review is complete
Need to make changes? You can withdraw a submitted release to make edits, but this resets the review process.
Step 6: Wait for Approval
LabelGrid reviews every release to ensure quality and compliance.
Review Timeline
| Submission Type | Typical Review Time |
|---|---|
| Standard release | 1-2 business days |
| Complex release (many tracks, special features) | 2-3 business days |
| Resubmission (after fixes) | 1-2 business days |
What Reviewers Check
- Audio quality - Clear, professional sound
- Artwork compliance - Meets platform requirements
- Metadata accuracy - Correct spelling, formatting
- Content policy - No prohibited content
- Copyright - Proper ownership declared
Possible Outcomes
| Result | What It Means | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Approved | Ready for distribution | Delivery starts automatically |
| Changes Required | Issues found | Review feedback, make fixes, resubmit |
| Rejected | Serious policy violation | Contact support for guidance |
Learn more: See Validation and Review for details on each review outcome and what to do if changes are required.
Step 7: Monitor Delivery
After approval, your release is sent to streaming platforms.
Delivery Stages
Approved → Queued → Delivering → Delivered → Live (per platform)Checking Delivery Status
- Go to Catalogue > My Releases.
- Click your release.
- View the Delivery Status section.
Each outlet shows:
- Current status (Queued, Delivering, Delivered, Live)
- Timestamp of last update
- Any errors or issues
Delivery Times by Platform
| Platform Type | Typical Time to Live |
|---|---|
| Major streaming (Spotify, Apple Music) | 2-5 days |
| Social platforms (TikTok, Instagram) | 2-4 days |
| Specialist stores (Beatport) | 5-14 days |
| Regional services | 3-7 days |
Note: These are typical times after approval. Your actual release date determines when music becomes available to listeners.
Understanding Distribution Statuses
Release Status vs. Delivery Status
Your release has an overall status, and each outlet has its own delivery status.
Release Status:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Draft | Still being created |
| Pending Review | Submitted, awaiting approval |
| Approved | Passed review, delivery starting |
| Distributed | Sent to all outlets |
| Live | Available on platforms |
Per-Outlet Delivery Status:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Queued | Waiting to be sent |
| Delivering | Being transmitted to platform |
| Delivered | Received by platform, processing |
| Live | Available to listeners |
| Error | Issue occurred |
Common Distribution Questions
Can I add platforms after submitting?
Yes, but it requires:
- Withdrawing the release (if still in review)
- Or requesting redistribution (if already distributed)
- Adding the new outlets
- Resubmitting
What if I need to change something after approval?
Some changes are possible on live releases:
- Metadata updates (corrections to titles, credits) - Requires redistribution
- Price changes - Where applicable
- Adding new outlets - Yes
Some changes require a new release:
- Changing audio files
- Changing artwork significantly
- Adding/removing tracks
How do I know when my release is live?
- Check delivery status in your dashboard
- Search for your release on streaming platforms
- You’ll receive a notification when major platforms confirm
What if there’s an error?
Error statuses include details about what went wrong:
- Duplicate - Release may already exist
- Invalid metadata - Formatting issue
- Technical error - Temporary issue, usually resolves automatically
For persistent errors, contact support.
Tips for Successful Distribution
Do
- Submit early - At least 2-3 weeks before release date
- Double-check metadata - Spelling errors are hard to fix later
- Verify audio quality - Listen to your uploads
- Monitor delivery - Check status regularly after approval
- Plan promotion - Have marketing ready for release day
Avoid
- Last-minute submissions - Limits promotional opportunities
- Changing dates after submission - Resets the process
- Ignoring validation warnings - They often point to real issues
- Assuming instant delivery - Platforms need processing time
After Distribution
Once your release is live:
- Get your links - Find store links to share with fans
- Promote - Share on social media, submit to playlists
- Monitor - Track streams and engagement
- Plan ahead - Start working on your next release
Next Steps
- Validation and Review - Understand the full review process
- Monitoring Deliveries - Track delivery progress in detail
- Store Links - Find and share your streaming links
- Distribution Lead Times - Plan future releases
Questions about distribution? Contact our support team - we’re here to help your music reach the world.