You've generated a BGM track you're proud of. Now what? Getting it onto Spotify is simpler than most people think, but there are a handful of steps that trip up first-timers. This guide walks you through the entire process — from finalizing your AI-generated BGM to watching your first streams roll in on Spotify for Artists.

What You'll Learn

This article is for creators who have made AI BGM with Suno, Udio, or a similar tool and are ready to put it on Spotify.

  • What you need to prepare before submitting to a distributor
  • How to choose the right distributor for your situation
  • Step-by-step submission process using DistroKid
  • What to do after your track goes live

Before You Submit: Preparing Your Files

Audio Requirements

Spotify accepts audio through distributors, not directly. Before you can submit, your audio file needs to meet a few baseline standards.

Required specifications:

  • Format — WAV or FLAC (MP3 is not accepted by most distributors for distribution masters)
  • Bit depth — 16-bit minimum (24-bit preferred)
  • Sample rate — 44.1 kHz minimum
  • Loudness — Target -14 LUFS integrated (Spotify normalizes to this level)
  • Peak level — No higher than -1 dBTP (true peak)

If your AI tool exports MP3 only, use a free DAW like Audacity to convert it to WAV before proceeding.

Loudness: Why It Matters

Spotify applies loudness normalization to every track. This means:

  • Tracks louder than -14 LUFS get turned down
  • Tracks quieter than -14 LUFS get turned up

If you master at -14 LUFS, your track plays at the exact level you intended. If you master hotter (e.g., -8 LUFS), Spotify turns it down and your track may sound thin compared to others in the same playlist.

Use a free loudness meter like Youlean Loudness Meter to check your LUFS before exporting.

Album Artwork Requirements

Every release needs cover art. Spotify (via distributors) requires:

  • Size — 3000 × 3000 pixels minimum
  • Format — JPG or PNG
  • Color mode — RGB (not CMYK)
  • Content — No website URLs, pricing, or contact information in the image

For AI BGM, simple, atmospheric artwork works well. Tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or even Canva can generate suitable visuals.

Metadata You'll Need to Prepare

Have this information ready before you start the submission form:

  • Artist name — Consistent across all your releases
  • Track title — Descriptive and searchable (e.g., "Late Night Focus Piano" beats "Track 01")
  • Genre — The most accurate classification (e.g., Lo-Fi Hip Hop, Ambient, New Age)
  • Language — Select "Instrumental" or "No Lyrics" for BGM
  • Release date — You can schedule this up to a few months in advance
  • ISRC — Most distributors generate this automatically; you don't need to source it yourself

Choosing a Distributor

For most AI BGM creators, the decision comes down to three options:

DistroKid — Best for High Volume

If you plan to release more than a handful of tracks per year, DistroKid's flat annual fee ($24.99/year for unlimited releases) is hard to beat. It's also the most AI-music-friendly distributor as of 2026.

Best for:

  • Creators releasing 5+ tracks per year
  • Those who want fast review times (often under an hour)
  • Anyone who wants to keep 100% of their revenue

CD Baby — Best for Permanence

CD Baby charges per track ($9.95 for singles) but grants permanent distribution with one payment. If you have a small catalog and don't want to worry about annual renewals, this model is reliable.

Best for:

  • Creators releasing 1–4 tracks per year
  • Those who want to "set it and forget it"
  • Anyone prioritizing a straightforward, no-subscription model

RouteNote — Best for Zero Upfront Cost

RouteNote's free tier lets you distribute at no cost, taking 15% of your revenue in exchange. It's a good way to test the waters before committing to a paid service.

Best for:

  • First-time distributors testing the process
  • Creators who haven't yet generated revenue and don't want to pay upfront
  • Those who may upgrade to the paid plan after their first few releases

Step-by-Step: Distributing with DistroKid

Step 1: Create an Account

Go to DistroKid and sign up for the "Musician" plan ($24.99/year). This plan covers unlimited releases for a single artist name.

If you plan to release under multiple artist identities, consider the "Musician Plus" plan, which supports multiple artist profiles.

Step 2: Start a New Upload

From your dashboard, click "Upload." You'll be prompted to choose between a single, an album, or an EP.

For your first release, start with a single. It's simpler to manage and lets you test the process before committing to a full project.

Step 3: Fill in Track Details

Work through the submission form:

Track file: Upload your WAV file. DistroKid will run a quick check to confirm it meets technical specs.

Title: Enter the track name exactly as you want it to appear on Spotify.

Artist name: Enter your artist name. Make sure it matches what you want to appear on Spotify for Artists.

Genre: Select from the dropdown. For BGM, common selections include:

  • Electronic → Ambient
  • Hip-Hop/Rap → Lo-Fi Beats
  • New Age → Meditation
  • Classical → Contemporary Classical

Language / Lyrics: Select "Instrumental" for BGM tracks without vocals.

Release date: You can release immediately or schedule a date up to 3 months out. Scheduling at least 7 days out gives you time to pitch to Spotify's editorial team (more on that below).

Step 4: Upload Your Artwork

Upload your 3000 × 3000 JPEG or PNG. DistroKid displays a preview — check that text is legible and nothing is cropped oddly.

Step 5: Select Distribution Platforms

DistroKid defaults to distributing to all major platforms. Leave this as-is, or customize if you have a reason to exclude certain stores. For BGM, the key platforms are Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Step 6: Choose Add-Ons (Optional)

DistroKid offers optional add-ons:

  • YouTube Content ID ($4.99/year per track) — Allows you to claim revenue when your track is used in YouTube videos. Recommended if your BGM is likely to appear in content creators' videos.
  • Shazam & iPhone Siri — Usually included by default at no extra charge.
  • Lyrics — Not relevant for instrumentals.

Step 7: Submit

Review the summary and click "Upload." You'll receive a confirmation email. DistroKid typically processes submissions within a few hours, and your track usually appears on Spotify within 1–3 days.

Pitching to Spotify Editorial Playlists

One of the most impactful things you can do for a new release is submit a pitch to Spotify's editorial team. This is free, and if accepted, your track can be featured on official playlists — potentially generating thousands of streams.

How to Pitch

  1. Go to Spotify for Artists (artists.spotify.com) and claim your artist profile if you haven't already
  2. Find your upcoming release in the dashboard (it must be unreleased to be eligible)
  3. Click "Pitch a Song" and fill out the form

What the Form Asks

  • Genre and sub-genre — Be precise (e.g., "Lo-Fi Beats," not just "Electronic")
  • Mood — Select descriptors like "Calm," "Focused," "Peaceful"
  • Instrumentation — Check all that apply (Piano, Beats, Guitar, etc.)
  • Language — Instrumental
  • Description — A short paragraph describing the track and its intended use. Keep it under 200 characters and focus on the listener experience.

Example description for a Lo-Fi BGM: "A warm, vinyl-textured Lo-Fi beat designed for late-night study sessions. Slow-rolling piano over a steady kick drum, with soft background crackle."

Realistic Expectations

Editorial placement is competitive and not guaranteed. Most first-time submissions are not selected — but algorithmic playlists (like Release Radar and Discover Weekly) still pick up tracks based on listener data. Pitching takes five minutes and has no downside, so always do it for scheduled releases.

After Your Track Goes Live

Claim Your Spotify for Artists Profile

If you haven't done so already, claim your Spotify for Artists profile after your first release goes live. This gives you access to:

  • Streaming analytics (plays, listeners, saves, playlist adds)
  • Demographic data (age, gender, country breakdown)
  • Upcoming release management
  • Editorial pitch tool

Reading Your First Stats

In your first few weeks, don't obsess over raw stream numbers. Instead, look at these signals:

  • Save rate — The percentage of listeners who save the track. A rate above 5% is a strong signal of genuine interest.
  • Playlist adds — Even adds to user-created playlists (not editorial ones) mean real people are curating your track into their listening lives.
  • Listener-to-stream ratio — If listeners are returning to stream the track multiple times, it's resonating.

Promoting Your First Release

A few low-effort promotional steps that make a real difference:

  • Share to social media — Post the Spotify link on your platforms. Even a small existing audience generates early momentum that signals quality to the algorithm.
  • SubmitHub — A paid service ($1–2 per submission) that lets you pitch your track directly to independent playlist curators. Useful for niche BGM genres like ambient and Lo-Fi.
  • Reddit communities — Subreddits like r/LofiHipHop or r/ambientmusic have active communities that genuinely engage with new music. Read the rules before posting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long until my track appears on Spotify?

With DistroKid, typically 1–3 days after submission. Other distributors take 1–2 weeks. Scheduling your release at least a week out eliminates the stress of timing.

Q2. Do I need a label or company to distribute?

No. Every distributor listed here serves independent individual creators. You submit as yourself.

Q3. What if my track gets rejected by the distributor?

Read the rejection notice carefully. The most common reasons:

  • Audio file doesn't meet spec (check format, bit depth, loudness)
  • Artwork doesn't meet spec (wrong size or contains prohibited content)
  • Track title or artist name matches an existing registered name too closely

Fix the specific issue and resubmit.

Q4. Can I distribute the same track to multiple platforms?

Yes — and you should. DistroKid, CD Baby, and RouteNote all send your track to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and many other platforms simultaneously. You don't need separate submissions for each platform.

Q5. When do I start earning royalties?

Royalties are typically paid out quarterly, with a minimum payout threshold (usually $10–$25 depending on the distributor). Your first payment may take 3–6 months after release, accounting for the streaming platform's own reporting cycle.

Conclusion

Getting AI BGM onto Spotify is a straightforward process once you know the steps. The essentials are simple: export a clean WAV at -14 LUFS, create compliant cover art, choose a distributor that works for your release volume, fill out the metadata accurately, and submit.

Actions you can take today:

  • Export your best AI BGM track as a WAV — Use Audacity if needed
  • Design or generate album art — 3000 × 3000 pixels, RGB, no text URLs
  • Create a DistroKid account — Start with a single release to learn the workflow
  • Claim your Spotify for Artists profile — Do this as soon as your first release is live

The first release is the hardest because every step is new. By the second and third release, the process becomes routine — and the catalog starts to work for you.

This article is based on information as of January 2026. Platform specifications and distributor terms are subject to change — always verify current requirements before submitting.