How long before the release date should I upload my music?

Ensure your music is live on all platforms at the right time.

It could take a few days for your album to be reviewed, approved, and sent to streaming services.

Recommended Timeline

This is why, to make sure that your release will go live on the platforms at the same time, mapped to the correct stores and artist profiles, we recommend uploading your music at least 3 or 4 weeks before the scheduled release date.

Editorial Pitch Strategy

In case there is an editorial pitch strategy going on, Zil Distribution suggests uploading it 4-5 weeks before the release date. This gives enough time for:

1. Internal review and quality check
2. Delivery to all DSPs
3. Editorial playlist consideration
4. Pre-save campaign setup
5. Marketing preparation

Why Upload Early?

• Platform processing: Each DSP has its own ingestion timeline
• Quality checks: Time to fix any metadata or audio issues
• Playlist pitching: Curators need to hear your music in advance
• Marketing: Build anticipation with pre-save campaigns
• Synchronization: Ensure simultaneous release across all platforms

Don't wait until the last minute — plan ahead for the best results!