Apple Music for Artists: How to Get on Apple Music and Grow Your Listeners

Spotify gets most of the attention, but Apple Music has tens of millions of paying subscribers, and many of them are exactly the kind of engaged listeners every artist wants. If you only focus on Spotify, you are leaving fans behind. This guide explains how to get your music on Apple Music, how to use Apple Music for Artists and how to grow your audience there.

How to get your music on Apple Music

Independent artists cannot upload songs directly to Apple Music. Like Spotify, you release through a digital distributor, which delivers your music to Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and other stores at the same time.

1. Choose a distributor. Compare yearly fees, commission on royalties, how fast they deliver releases and whether they offer pre-saves, pre-adds and pitching tools.
2. Prepare your files. A high-quality WAV master, square cover art that meets the store guidelines, songwriter and producer credits, and lyrics if you want them to appear.
3. Set a release date 3–4 weeks away. Lead time gives you a chance to set up a pre-add or pre-save and to plan promotion.
4. Check your artist name. Make sure it is spelled exactly the same as on your other releases so songs land on the right profile, not a new one or someone else's.

If you are new to releasing, the steps are almost identical to our guide on how to upload your music to Spotify.

What is Apple Music for Artists?

Apple Music for Artists is Apple's free dashboard for musicians. It is available on the web and as an iPhone and iPad app, and it shows how people find and listen to your music across Apple Music, iTunes and Shazam.

How to claim your Apple Music for Artists profile

1. Go to Apple Music for Artists and sign in with your Apple Account.
2. Search for your artist name and select your profile. Check you have the right one by looking at the releases.
3. Choose your role, such as artist, manager or label.
4. Verify that you are the artist. You may be asked for links to your website or social profiles, or your distributor or label may be able to confirm it for you.
5. Wait for approval, which can take a few days. Once approved, you can invite your team.

The stats that matter most

• Plays and listeners: how many times your songs were played and how many people listened over a chosen period.
• Shazams: how often people identified your song with Shazam. A rise in Shazams often means your song is being heard somewhere new, such as on radio, in a shop, in a video or at a live show.
• Playlists: which playlists your songs are on and how many plays they bring.
• Locations: the countries and cities where your listeners and Shazams come from. Use this to plan shows and target your ads.
• Sales: song and album purchases on iTunes.

Check your stats a week after each release and compare them with your Spotify for Artists data. If a city is growing on both platforms, that is a strong signal.

How to grow your listeners on Apple Music

• Use shareable assets and links. Apple Music for Artists lets you create shareable graphics and links to your music. Post them when you reach a milestone or release something new.
• Set up a pre-add. Ask your distributor about pre-adds so fans can add an upcoming release to their library. It works like a Spotify pre-save, and you can include both in one smart link.
• Pitch through your distributor. Apple Music does not have a public pitching form like Spotify. Many distributors offer a way to submit releases for editorial consideration, so send yours early with a clear description.
• Include Apple Music in every link. Use a smart link that shows both Spotify and Apple Music, so iPhone users can listen on the app they already pay for.
• Watch your Shazam data. If Shazams suddenly rise in a city, focus your social posts, ads and gig plans there.
• Keep releasing consistently. Regular releases give editors, the algorithm and your fans more chances to discover and return to your music.
• Drive listeners from social media. Short videos on TikTok and Instagram bring people to your music; make sure your link gives them an Apple Music option.

Apple Music vs Spotify for independent artists

• Audience: Spotify has more users overall, including free listeners. Apple Music has no free tier, so every listener is a paying subscriber.
• Payouts: Apple said in 2021 that it paid about one cent per play on average. Real payouts vary by country and plan. See our guide on how much Spotify pays per stream for how streaming royalties work.
• Discovery: Spotify relies more on algorithmic playlists, while Apple Music leans more on editorial curation and radio.
• The takeaway: you do not have to choose. Release everywhere and send fans to the platform they already use.

Frequently asked questions

Is Apple Music for Artists free?

Yes. Any artist with music on Apple Music can request access at no cost.

Can I upload music directly to Apple Music?

Not as an independent artist. You need a distributor or a label that delivers music to Apple.

Why can't I find my profile?

Your music may still be processing, or it may be listed under a slightly different spelling. Check with your distributor that your release is live and delivered under the correct artist name.

How do I get on Apple Music playlists?

Submit your release for editorial consideration through your distributor well before the release date, keep releasing regularly and build real listening activity, because editors look at how your music performs.

Reach more real listeners

Every new fan you reach can listen on the platform they prefer, whether that is Apple Music or Spotify. Audience Plan runs official ad campaigns on Spotify, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to reach listeners who already like your genre. No bots, no passwords. See our plans.