How to Distribute Music Online

Distributing music online does not require a record label or a technology degree. It does require a complete release package and a clear understanding of what the platforms need.

More than content, distribution runs on metadata. The platform cannot pay the artist, cannot tag the release, cannot feature the release, and cannot route a takedown request without correct metadata. That is why metadata preparation matters more than the upload itself.

A complete release package contains: the master files, the cover art, the credits, the ISRC codes, the UPC codes, the distribution date, the copyright notice, and any parent album or EP links. Missing pieces are the most common reason a release is held back.

The metadata checklist: exact title, exact artist, exact featured artists in the right order, genre, track number, disc number, length, and copyright year. These values should be consistent across every service. A song called 'Lil Indian' should not appear as 'Lil Indian' on one service and 'LilIndian' on another.

The artwork checklist: at least 3000 pixels on the longest side, RGB colour space, no outlines, no watermarks, and no text that can be read as too small on a phone screen. Panel art for video platforms should be separate from the music cover.

Release day planning: choose a date, confirm the master files are final, verify the metadata against the credits, schedule a release-day walkthrough, and set a reminder to check reporting the morning after release.

The most useful review after release is not volume. It is whether the release is showing up correctly in the reporting dashboard, whether the metadata matches what was supplied, and whether the rights claims are set up the way the artist wants.