Releases
Checklist before sending a release to streaming
2 min read · September 12, 2026 · by Dropsland
Most release problems show up before submission. This is the list to walk through with the final file open, not from memory.
Audio
- The file is the final version, not a bounce with a guide vocal.
- There is no more than a second of unnecessary silence at the start.
- The ending does not cut a reverb tail in half.
- The level is even and does not distort in the chorus.
Artwork
Use a square image you own. Do not add the Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or TikTok logo. Do not add a URL, a price, or an “available now” line that will be stale in a week. The title can be on the artwork if it is readable at a small size.
Track details
- The title matches the one you will use on social media.
- The main artist is written the same way as on your previous tracks.
- Featured artists always use the same form: feat., with or without the period, but not both.
- The genre describes the track, not the genre you wish it had.
- Mark it explicit only if the audio needs it.
Date and destination
If you are sending to stores from a free account, the date has to leave 7 business days. On an artist account, leave 1 to 5 days. If the file is a remix, do not send it to streaming: it goes to the DJ Pool.
The Spotify path is covered in how to distribute your music on Spotify. The plan difference is in free music distribution.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the artwork after submitting?
It depends on the delivery status. The safe move is to correct the artwork before confirming, not after a store has already published it.
Which stores does the delivery cover?
Dropsland’s streaming flow delivers to platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, TikTok, Audiomack, Pandora, and Napster.
Does the track go live the day I upload it?
No. It enters a queue. A free account takes 7 business days and an artist account takes 1 to 5 days, plus each store’s processing.