Advanced Date Settings
This guide explains LabelGrid’s advanced date controls for territory-specific release scheduling, pre-orders, and timed availability.
Audience: This feature is primarily for labels and advanced users who need granular control over release timing across different regions.
Enabling Advanced Date Controls
In the Date Settings tab of your release:
- Enable advanced release date control - Toggle this ON to access territory-specific date options
- Enable exact release time (GMT 0) - Toggle this ON to set a precise global release time instead of midnight local time
- Original Release Date - The default date used for any territories without specific settings
- Add Date Set - Click to add territory-specific release dates with custom settings
Basic Date Fields
Original Release Date
The main date when your release becomes available for streaming and purchase.
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Format | Date only, or date with time |
| Past dates | Automatically adjusted to today |
| Minimum lead time | Recommend 7-14 days for playlist consideration |
Tip: Spotify requires releases to be submitted at least 7 days before release date for editorial playlist consideration.
Pre-Save / Pre-Order Date
When fans can pre-save (streaming) or pre-order (purchase) before the release date.
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Must be before | The release date |
| Apple Music limit | Maximum 366 days before release |
| Spotify pre-save | Available once release is approved |
What happens during pre-order period:
- Cover art becomes visible
- Track listing may be visible (configurable)
- 30-second previews may be available (configurable)
- Fans can save to their library for release day
Territory-Specific Dates
Advanced date control allows you to set different release dates and settings per country or region.
Why use territory-specific dates?
- Staggered rollouts - Release in some markets before others
- Regional promotions - Align with local marketing campaigns
- Contractual requirements - Meet territory-specific agreements
- Timed exclusives - Give certain regions early access
Territory date fields
For each territory entry, you can configure:
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Countries | ISO country codes (e.g., US, GB, DE) or WW for worldwide |
| Validity Period Start | When the release goes live in this territory |
| Validity Period End | When to remove from this territory (optional) |
| Display Date | When the release appears in store catalogs |
| Track Listing Preview | When track list becomes visible |
| Cover Art Preview | When cover art becomes visible |
| Clip Preview | When audio previews become available |
| Pre-Order Preview | When pre-orders open in this territory |
Country codes
Use ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes:
| Code | Country |
|---|---|
US | United States |
GB | United Kingdom |
DE | Germany |
FR | France |
JP | Japan |
AU | Australia |
WW | Worldwide (all territories) |
Example: Staggered international release
Release in the US first, then worldwide one week later:
Territory 1:
- Countries:
US - Validity Period Start: January 15, 2025
Territory 2:
- Countries:
WW - Validity Period Start: January 22, 2025
Timed Releases and Takedowns
Scheduling a takedown
Set an end date to automatically remove your release from a territory:
- In the territory settings, set Validity Period End
- The release will be removed from stores on that date
Use cases:
- Limited-time releases
- Seasonal content
- Licensing windows expiring
Important notes on takedowns
- Takedowns are processed within 24-48 hours of the end date
- Some platforms may take longer to fully remove content
- Streaming counts stop accumulating after takedown
Pre-Order Configuration
iTunes/Apple Music pre-order rules
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum pre-order period | 366 days |
| Minimum pre-order period | No minimum |
| Pre-order pricing | Set at release level |
Auto-adjustment: If your pre-order date exceeds 366 days before release, LabelGrid automatically caps it at the maximum allowed.
What’s available during pre-order
| Content | Configurable? |
|---|---|
| Cover art | Yes - set cover art preview date |
| Track listing | Yes - set track listing preview date |
| Audio clips (30 sec) | Yes - set clip preview date |
| Full tracks | No - only available after release |
Midnight Release Timing
Enable exact release time
Toggle Enable exact release time (GMT 0) to control the precise moment your release goes live.
Default behavior (off):
- Release goes live at midnight local time in each territory
- US gets it at midnight EST
- UK gets it at midnight GMT
- etc.
With exact time enabled:
- Release goes live at the specified time globally (GMT)
- All territories receive it simultaneously
When to use exact timing
- Global premieres with live events
- Coordinated worldwide marketing campaigns
- Competition for chart positions (same-moment release)
Redistribution Rules
Fields that trigger redistribution
Changing these fields on an already-distributed release will:
- Reset status to DRAFT
- Require resubmission for review
- Trigger redistribution to all DSPs
| Field | Triggers Redistribution |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Yes |
| Pre-Order Date | Yes |
| Territory Dates | Yes |
| Title | Yes |
| Artist | Yes |
| Barcode | Yes |
| P-Line / C-Line | Yes |
Important: Redistribution can take 2-7 days to propagate across all platforms.
Platform-Specific Considerations
Spotify
- Pre-save available after approval
- Requires 7-day advance notice for editorial playlist consideration
- Midnight local time releases by default
Apple Music / iTunes
- Maximum 366-day pre-order window
- Supports pre-order pricing
- Exact release time supported
Beatport
- Longer processing times (3-7 business days)
- Genre-specific release schedules
- Friday release standard for dance music
YouTube Music
- Content ID processing may take additional time
- Midnight releases in primary territory
Best Practices
For singles
- Lead time: 2-3 weeks minimum
- Pre-save: Enable 1-2 weeks before release
- Territory: Usually worldwide simultaneous
For albums
- Lead time: 4-6 weeks minimum
- Pre-order: 2-4 weeks before release
- Single releases: Consider releasing singles leading up to album
For time-sensitive releases
- Breaking news/current events: Minimum processing time possible
- Coordinated campaigns: Use exact release time
- Chart competition: Align with chart calculation periods (usually Friday)
Troubleshooting
”Pre-order date must be before release date”
Your pre-order date is set after your release date. Adjust so pre-order comes first.
”Pre-order period exceeds maximum”
Apple Music limits pre-orders to 366 days. Either:
- Move release date closer, or
- Move pre-order date later
Release not live at expected time
- Processing takes 2-7 days after approval
- Check each platform individually
- Some platforms have additional review processes
Territory-specific release not appearing
- Verify country codes are correct
- Check the validity period start date
- Confirm the release is approved and distributed
Related guides
- Creating a Release - Basic release setup
- Supported Stores - Available distribution outlets
- Monitoring Deliveries - Monitor your release
Need help with complex scheduling? Contact our support team