What Happens After You Submit a Music Release

After a release is submitted, the distribution platform validates the files, checks the metadata, assigns identifiers, and prepares the release for each service.

The first checkpoint is validation. Audio must be playable, artwork must pass size and quality checks, and metadata must match the credits. Missing or inconsistent data is the most common reason a release is held back for review.

The second checkpoint is delivery. The platform sends the release to every supported service on the chosen date. Some services may process the release at different speeds, so the exact time on each service varies.

The third checkpoint is review. A month after release, the reporting dashboard shows which services the release is on and how it has been played. This is the time to fix metadata, update artwork, or clarify credits before the next release.

Monthly reporting is the part most artists skip. It is also the most useful. It shows whether the release is showing up correctly, whether the rights are set up as intended, and whether royalties are being paid on all the streams.