How the platforms process a release
As soon as you send your release to distribution through our platform, a process begins that we do not have, and cannot have, full control over.
When to send your music to distribution and how long it takes
We often find that artists have unrealistic expectations about how fast distribution is. Someone sends a release to distribution and expects it to be on Spotify two minutes later. The reality is different, though – let us explain how it really works.
The golden rule
BETTER AT LEAST 14 DAYS
Send your music to distribution at least 14 days before the planned release date, but ideally a month in advance!
This is the most important rule, and it will save you a lot of stress and trouble.
Sending to distribution
In the release detail, you confirm the Declaration before distribution, choose the platforms and click Distribute Selected. This sends the release to the platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.).
Processing by the platforms
Each platform processes releases at its own pace and according to its own priorities.
Going live
The release appears on the platforms on the release date you set (the exact time is determined by the platform).
What affects the processing speed?
- Each platform has its own process – Spotify processes releases differently from Apple Music, Deezer or YouTube Music. We cannot influence how quickly each platform processes your release.
- Speed is not guaranteed – Even though some platforms can process a release by the next day, this is never guaranteed.
- Platforms set their own priorities – They process releases that are coming out soon first. If you upload a release with a release date two months away, they will not hurry to process it. That is fine and does not mean anything bad. The release will go ahead as it should.
- Upcoming releases on your profile – Once successfully processed, the release appears on the artist profile (if the platform allows it – e.g. Spotify for Artists), even though it has not officially come out yet.
- Pitching to Spotify takes time – You pitch a recording for editorial playlists in Spotify for Artists no later than 7 days before release, ideally 2–4 weeks in advance. This is only possible for a release that Spotify has already processed, though – one more reason to send your release in good time.
Recommended distribution timing
To be sure everything goes smoothly, follow these recommendations. The Campaign planner in Artists Bez Labelu keeps track of the deadlines for you, the data check in the release detail also warns you about an approaching date, and the interactive date guide helps you with all three release dates. Would you like us to look at the cover art and details before you send the release? Submit a Pre-distribution check request in the Requests section.
At least 14 days in advance
A standard release with no complications.
At least 14 days, but ideally a month before the planned release date – leaving time for pitching, Pre-Save and promotion.
A month or more for special cases
Re-releases, switching from another distributor, samples, licensed beats.
Verifying and proving licences may take longer.
Be patient
If the release date is still a long way off, the platforms may not hurry.
That is normal.
Special cases that need more time
In some situations, you need to allow for longer processing:
Re-releases and licences
If you have previously released a recording through another distributor and now want to release it through us, or if you are releasing an album containing a previously released single, our system detects it as content that already exists on the platforms.
What happens:
- We assign you a task to provide a licence or explain the situation – you will see it in Artists Bez Labelu in the Tasks section and also receive it by email.
- You reply to the task email and provide the licence agreement or confirm that it is your original content (how to provide proof of a licence).
- As long as the task is open, the distribution is delayed – this can extend processing by several days.
Tip: Have your licence agreements ready in advance so that you can respond to the task straight away!
Samples and beats from the internet
If you have used a beat from the internet (a purchased or “free” beat, an instrumental or a sample pack forming the entire backing track), you upload the licence as a PDF directly in the recording form, in the Track origin section – without it, you cannot send the release to distribution. Have the licences for samples from other people’s recordings ready, so that you can provide them as soon as we ask for them.
Recommendation: Have the licence ready when you create the recording – it will save you time!
Identical metadata for re-releases
If you are releasing the same recording again (e.g. first as a single and then as part of an album), all of the recording’s metadata must be completely identical (more in the article Re-releasing a recording on another release). For example:
- Recording title
- Names of the artists and featured artists
- Songwriters (composers, lyricists)
- Producers
- ISRC code
Any deviation can cause problems during processing!
What to do after sending to distribution
Once you have sent a release to distribution, it is important to keep an eye on its status and be ready to respond quickly:
The “Submitted for distribution” status is normal
After sending, the Distribution table shows the status Requested… for the platforms (later Processing… and Yes once delivered), and the top of the release detail shows the status Submitted for distribution. This means the release is waiting to be processed by the platforms. Once the platforms have taken it over, the status changes to Scheduled and, on the release date, to Published. You can see when you last sent the release in the Distribution history tab. All the statuses and labels are explained in the article Release status – What the badges and publication statuses mean.
Note: If the Submitted for distribution status lasts longer than a week, check the Tasks section and your emails from us. If there is nothing there, submit a Distribution status request in the Requests section – we will find out where the release got stuck. You will find more tips in the article What to do when a release hasn't been sent or is stuck.
Status stayed at “No”?
If, after sending to distribution, the status for a platform has not changed and has stayed at “No”, it means that nothing was sent to distribution on that platform.
A common cause: The sending was stopped by a check – for example, the licence for a beat from the internet is missing, the track order does not make sense, the artists on the release and on the recordings do not match, or an older recording is missing a producer. The app shows you the reason as soon as you click Distribute Selected; fix it by editing the release or recording and send the release again. Also check that you really ticked the platform when sending.
The release is not showing in “upcoming releases”?
If your release is not yet visible in the “upcoming releases” section on the platforms, it is not necessarily a problem.
The reason: Platforms generally prioritise urgent matters. If the release is still, say, two months away, they will not hurry to process it and the release may only appear on your profile later. Conversely, of course, if it is an urgent release, it may not show up in upcoming releases at all.
Common mistakes and problems
AT THE LAST MINUTE
Submitting a release at the last minute = stress and the risk that it will not come out on time. Always allow for some leeway!
Missing licences
Upload the licence for a beat from the internet straight away in the Track origin section – without it, you cannot send the release. When switching from another distributor, have the documents ready in advance.
Non-identical metadata
When re-releasing a recording (single → album), all of the recording’s details must be completely identical, otherwise problems will arise.
Missing details
Check that you have filled in all the required details – especially the producers for all recordings!
Summary
Music distribution is not an instant process and requires patience. To be sure everything goes smoothly:
- Send your music to distribution at least 14 days in advance, ideally a month (even earlier for special cases).
- Have all your licences and documents ready.
- Check that you have filled in all the metadata correctly and completely.
- Keep an eye on the status in the release detail and in the Tasks section, and respond to any questions.
- Be patient – the platforms process releases at their own pace.
If you have any questions or anything is unclear, do not hesitate to contact us at info@bezlabelu.cz or by phone on +420 737 601 643.
Good luck with your release!