When should I set my release date / How long does it take to go live on partner sites?

Are you releasing music during the winter holidays? Please note these special instructions for choosing your release date.
If you want your music to go live at iTunes and Apple Music exactly on the following release dates, we strongly encourage you to submit your music for distribution by the following dates. Music submitted after these dates will still be released, but it may be live on iTunes and Apple Music AFTER your requested release date.

Please allow at least 5-10 business days for inspection. We always recommend selecting a release date at least 6 weeks from the date you submit for distribution to allow enough time to promote your music and ensure your release date is honored.

Please note: anytime you make changes to your title, it takes it out of the inspection queue and puts it at the back of the line.

Even if you don't have promotional plans connected to a specific release date, if you want your release to go live on all major sites at the same time please choose a release date a minimum of 3 weeks in the future from the day you submit for distribution. Below is a handy video.

Each partner site also needs time for their own review and processing.

• Spotify: 2 days to 2 weeks.
• Apple iTunes: 2 days to 2 weeks.

Every partner site should process your music within 1-4 weeks.

All of our partners do honor release dates and will not make a project available to the public until the date you select, as long as they have enough time to process your release.  So, if you "submit for distribution" on the first of the month and your release date is any time after the 25th of that month, you'll usually be up and running on the date you picked!

Need help troubleshooting why your project may not be on a site, click here. 

VIDEO: How long until my release is approved by the inspection team?