Music Distribution Checklist 2026
Prepare the master, artwork, metadata, credits, release date, identifiers, rights checks and promotion assets before uploading.
Read distribution checklist →← Back to Indie Artist Stack
RELEASE
Release music correctly before you promote it.
Distribution mistakes are expensive to fix after launch. Use this hub to prepare the release, choose the right distributor, protect identifiers and get the music onto the major platforms cleanly.
Release guides
From final master to live release.
ISRC vs UPC for Musicians in 2026
Understand track-level ISRCs, release-level UPCs and when an existing recording should keep the same ISRC.
Read ISRC vs UPC guide →How Far in Advance Should You Upload Music Before Release?
Build enough lead time for store delivery, profile checks, pitching, pre-saves and campaign preparation.
Read release timing guide →How to Upload Music to DistroKid in 2026
A step-by-step workflow covering audio, artwork, release dates, metadata, songwriter credits and final review.
Read DistroKid upload guide →How to Get Music on Spotify 2026: Distributor, Artist Profile, Pitching & Release
Go from distributor delivery to Spotify for Artists, editorial pitching, pre-saves and release-day verification.
Read Spotify distribution guide →How to Get Your Music on Apple Music in 2026
Cover distributor delivery, Apple Music for Artists, artist-page claiming, pre-adds and release promotion.
Read Apple Music distribution guide →How to Get Your Music on YouTube Music in 2026
Understand distributor delivery, Art Tracks, Topic Channels, Official Artist Channels and the difference from Content ID.
Read YouTube Music distribution guide →How to Get Your Music on TikTok, Instagram & Facebook in 2026
Deliver official audio to social libraries and understand how normal distribution differs from UGC monetization.
Read social platform distribution guide →DistroKid Extras Explained 2026
Compare optional add-ons before paying for Discovery Pack, Store Maximizer, Social Media Pack, Leave a Legacy and more.
Read DistroKid extras guide →How to Release AI-Generated Music with DistroKid in 2026
A practical rights, disclosure and upload workflow for artists releasing AI-generated music.
Read AI release guide →Bandcamp Review 2026: Is It Worth It for Independent Musicians?
See how Bandcamp fits beside a distributor as a direct-to-fan storefront for digital music, merch and fan support.
Read Bandcamp review →How to Sell Music on Bandcamp 2026: Pricing, Fees, Uploads & Direct-to-Fan Sales
Set up the artist page, upload lossless audio, choose pricing, publish the release and turn Bandcamp into a direct-to-fan sales layer.
Read Bandcamp selling guide →How to Use Bandcamp with DistroKid 2026: Streaming Distribution + Direct Sales
Use DistroKid for broad streaming distribution and Bandcamp for direct fan sales as one coordinated release workflow.
Read the combined workflow →DistroKid vs Bandcamp 2026: Which Should Independent Artists Use?
Compare platform distribution with direct-to-fan selling and see why many independent artists may want both.
Compare DistroKid and Bandcamp →Best Music Distribution Services 2026: DistroKid vs TuneCore vs CD Baby vs LANDR
Compare DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby and LANDR by pricing model and the type of release workflow each service fits.
Compare distributors →How to Switch Music Distributors Without Losing Streams in 2026
Move a catalog with the best chance of preserving play counts and continuity by matching identifiers, metadata and audio.
Read distributor switching guide →Recommended release stack
Use one tool for reach and one for direct fan support.
For many independent artists, a simple release stack is enough: use DistroKid for delivery to major streaming platforms and Bandcamp as the direct-to-fan storefront. Add a smart link so listeners can choose where they want to listen or buy.
Affiliate disclosure: the DistroKid button is a referral link. Indie Artist Stack may earn a reward at no extra cost to you. Bandcamp links on this site are currently non-affiliate.
Need to choose a distributor?
Compare before you upload.
If you have not chosen a distributor yet, compare the pricing model and workflow first. If you already expect to use DistroKid, read the review and upload guide before adding optional extras.
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