How to Get Your Music on Spotify (and Everything You Need to Know About Music Distribution)

Article by Manuela Bittencourt – 08/07/2025

Whether you’re a bedroom producer or an up-and-coming artist, one of your first big questions is: “How do I get my music on Spotify?” The answer lies in a key piece of the industry puzzle: distribution.

In this guide, we’ll break down how distribution works, how to choose the right distributor, what aggregators are, and the difference between DIY platforms, label services, and major label distribution.

What Is Music Distribution?

Music distribution is the process of getting your songs from your computer into the hands (or ears) of listeners through streaming platforms, digital stores, or physical formats like CDs and vinyl.

There are two main types of distribution:

• Digital (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
• Physical (CDs, vinyl sold in stores or online)

But there’s more to it than that—especially when it comes to how you get your music to those platforms. That’s where distributors and aggregators come in.

They:

• Deliver content (audio + metadata)
• Collect and process royalties
• Sometimes offer pitching, marketing, or licensing opportunities
• Handle rights management and payouts

Think of it like this:

You = manufacturer

Distributor = wholesaler

Spotify/iTunes = retailer

Fans = end consumer

There are also niche parts of the distribution chain like:

• One-stops: Sell to indie stores
• Rack-jobbers: Manage stock in big-box retailers
• Retailers: Spotify, Target, iTunes
• Consumers: Your fans

It’s important to note that distribution and marketing are NOT the same thing. Even if your music is live on every platform, people won’t find it unless you promote it.

Distributors vs. Aggregators: What’s the Difference?

Both distributors and aggregators help get your music onto platforms like Spotify. The key difference lies in access, services, and scale:

Aggregators (for DIY/indie artists)

• Examples: DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, UnitedMasters
• Anyone can sign up—no industry connections or negotiations required
• Typically charge either a flat fee per release or an annual subscription
• They do not offer advances
• They often offer optional extras (e.g., sync licensing, YouTube monetization)
• Easy access to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, etc.

Best for: Independent and DIY artists looking to get their music out without a label.

Distributors (for labels and established artists)

• Work directly with labels or high-performing artists
• Require a negotiated deal (often for multiple years)
• May offer advances, physical manufacturing, and marketing support
• Can include combined physical + digital distribution
• Much more selective—only take on clients with proven potential or catalog

Best for: Indie labels or successful artists needing a long-term partner. 

Types of Distribution Deals (Beyond Aggregators)

Once you grow beyond basic aggregators, there are other levels of distribution you might encounter:

Type	Best For	What You Get
DIY Aggregators	Beginners	Simple uploads, fast payouts
Label Services	Mid-tier artists	Distribution + optional marketing, analytics, sync
P&D (Pressing & Distribution)	Indie labels	Distributor presses and distributes physical formats, then recoups
Major Label Distribution	Established artists/labels	Full-service global infrastructure, often exclusive and selective

Domestic Distribution

Product Types

• Physical: Vinyl, CDs
• Digital: Permanent downloads, interactive streams (like Spotify)

Domestic Physical Distribution

Major Labels

• Have their own in-house distribution divisions
• Examples: Universal Music Distribution, Sony’s The Orchard, Warner Music’s ADA
• That’s one reason why they’re called “majors”—they own the infrastructure
  

Indie Labels

• Typically enter Pressing & Distribution (P&D) deals with:
  • A third-party distributor
  • A larger label with distribution capabilities (less common)
    

How P&D Deals Work

• Business-to-business negotiation
• Distributor’s commission: Distributor keeps a percentage of revenue
• Indie labels also evaluate distributors on:
  
  • Success rate
  • Services offered
  • Retail/streaming relationships
    
• P&D contracts usually last 3–5 years
  

If an indie label builds a strong track record, they might get offers from multiple distributors, triggering a bidding war.

Pressing = Manufacturing

• Refers to producing physical goods like vinyl and CDs
• Some distributors will front manufacturing costs, others won’t
  

DIY / Independent Artist (Physical)

• Limited access to traditional distributors
• Can:
  
  • Sell directly via their website or Bandcamp
  • Handle their own shipping and inventory
    
• Might secure an Artist Services Deal (rare):
  
  • Similar to a distribution deal but for a single artist
  • Only available to artists with proven revenue and fanbase
    

Physical Product Retail Models

Retail Model	How It Works	Who Takes the Risk
Standard Record Distribution	Retailer pays upfront, can return unsold stock (e.g., 20%)	Shared
Consignment	Retailer pays only after selling your product	Artist/label
Firm Sale (One-Way)	Retailer pays upfront, no returns	Retailer

Firm sale is increasingly common today, especially for vinyl.

Domestic Digital Distribution

Major Labels

• Use in-house digital systems to distribute to streaming platforms globally

Indie Labels

• Partner with third-party distributors or aggregators
• Often bundle digital + physical under one P&D deal

You don’t need to press physical copies to distribute digitally, but bundling can offer better leverage and access.

Foreign Distribution

Getting your music into international markets can be much harder, especially for indie artists and labels.

Major Labels

• Use their global affiliate network (e.g., Warner Music France handles Bruno Mars in France)
• Distribution and local marketing handled in each territory
  

Indie Labels

Can pursue:

• Foreign P&D deals (rare)
• Partnering with local indie labels or distributors
• Attending international trade events like MIDEM (formerly a major networking hub)
  

Challenges for Indie Labels Abroad

• No local presence = no demand
• Language barriers, lack of local contacts
• Expensive physical shipping
• Digital distribution is easy, but audience discovery still depends on marketing
  

DIY Artists in Foreign Markets

Direct-to-consumer is possible via your own website or Bandcamp, but:

• Must deal with customs and international shipping
• Can try for an Artist Services Deal (Global):
  
  • Extremely rare
  • Includes marketing, physical/digital distribution, translation/localization
    

Distribution vs. Marketing

Distribution = Making your music available

Marketing = Making people care about it

You can have your music on every platform in the world and still have no listeners.

Distributors Now Offer More

To adapt to the changing music business, many distributors have expanded to include:

• Playlist pitching
• Marketing campaign management
• Sync licensing
• Analytics dashboards
• Press support
• Social media ad services
  

These “label services” are often à la carte and available for a fee.

Final Checklist: How to Get Your Music on Spotify

1. Finish your song (high-quality WAV or FLAC files)
2. Create artwork (3000×3000 pixels, no text required for Spotify)
3. Pick an aggregator (DistroKid, CD Baby, TuneCore, etc.)
4. Upload your song + metadata (title, artist name, ISRC, release date)
5. Select platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.)
6. Schedule your release (give at least 2–3 weeks lead time)
7. Claim your Spotify for Artists profile
8. Promote it like crazy
   

Summary: What Path Is Right for You?

Artist Type	Best Option
DIY/Bedroom Artist	Aggregator (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby)
Indie Label	Distributor (like The Orchard, INgrooves, Symphonic)
Global Pop Star	Major label with in-house distribution

If you’re just starting out, focus on getting your music out, building a following, and learning the ropes. Once you’ve got momentum, the doors to bigger deals—whether aggregator upgrades, indie distribution, or major label attention—start to open.