You can choose to release your music right away or schedule it for a future date. This article explains your options, our recommendations, and how long distribution typically takes from sign-up to going live on partner sites like Spotify and Apple Music.

Release date options

You have three choices when setting a release date:

• Future date – Great if you want time to promote your release, pitch to playlists, or set up pre-saves.
  • Please note that we cannot guarantee any release date more than two years in the future due to complications with partner ingestion.
• ASAP – Your music will go live as soon as it’s processed by digital partners. To do this, select today’s date (or a past date).
• Past Date - If you are redistributing a release, due to changing distributors or for any other reason, you can select the original release date, and it will go live as soon as ingested by partners, like an ASAP release.

Recommended timing

• If you’re promoting your release or want a specific launch date, sign up at least 3 weeks in advance (4–6 weeks in advance is ideal).
• This gives time for:
  • CD Baby inspection and any needed adjustments.
  • Digital partner processing.
  • Promotion (e.g., playlist pitching, pre-saves/pre-adds ).

Distribution timeline

Here are the steps and timelines you can expect as your release travels through the release process:

Release submission

• Enter release details (track list, audio, cover art, etc.).
• Click Submit for Distribution → your release goes to CD Baby’s inspection team.

CD Baby Inspection

• With Fast Forward (1–2 business days), or without Fast Forward (7–14 business days).
• If edits are needed, you’ll be contacted to make changes before re-inspection.
• Once approved, your release is sent to partner sites.

Digital partner review and processing

• Each partner has its own timeline:
  • Spotify: 2 days–2 weeks
  • Apple Music / iTunes: 2 days–2 weeks
  • Other partners: 1–4 weeks

Things to note

• Partners honor your chosen release date. If your release is processed early, it won’t be searchable until the date you selected.
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