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

Step 1: Open Your Release

Go to Catalogue > My Releases.
Find your release and click to open it.
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 many 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

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.

Review all your release details one final time.
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

Review times vary depending on your plan and any specific service agreements. You’ll be notified by email when your review is complete.

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)	1-5 business days
Social platforms (TikTok, Instagram)	1-5 business days
Specialist stores (Beatport)	5-14 business days
Regional services	Varies

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.

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