The 5 Most Common Upload Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
Every month, thousands of artists face the same frustrating situation: a delayed or rejected release due to small, preventable mistakes. Whether it's an upload to Spotify, Apple Music, or any of the 220+ platforms Unchained distributes to, these issues can seriously impact your momentum.
At Unchained Music, we believe distribution should be seamless and your track should go live exactly when you plan. That’s why we’ve pulled together the five most common errors artists make when uploading music, and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Cover Art Issues That Get You Flagged
Your artwork is the first impression fans (and platforms) have of your music. But all too often, releases get held up because of issues with the cover art.
Here’s what to avoid and how to get it right:
- Low-resolution or blurry images: Platforms like Spotify and Apple require high-quality visuals. Your artwork should be crisp and professional, not pixelated or stretched.
- Wrong format or sizing: The industry standard is 3000x3000 pixels, in JPG or PNG format. Anything smaller or oddly shaped can result in automatic rejection.
- Prohibited content: Never include URLs, social media handles, or price tags (like “$0.99”) on your artwork. These are considered promotional and violate DSP rules.
- Misleading branding: Avoid using logos or phrases that imply endorsement or exclusivity (e.g., “Apple Music Exclusive” or a Spotify logo).
- Missing or inaccurate parental advisory labels: If your music includes explicit content and you’re not using a proper “Parental Advisory” sticker, or using one when it’s not necessary, you could run into delays.
Pro Tip: Your artwork doesn’t just need to meet technical requirements but it should also reflect your brand, capture your sound visually, and grab attention in a crowded release week. If you’re not a designer, invest in one. It’s worth it.
2. Mislabeled or Misleading Metadata
Metadata may not be the most exciting part of releasing music, but it’s one of the most important. DSPs like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon rely heavily on accurate metadata to organize, recommend, and surface your tracks to the right audience. Mislabeled or misleading metadata doesn’t just hurt your credibility but it can lead to takedowns, bans, or even loss of royalties.
Here’s how to get it right:
- Use consistent artist names: If you’re listed as “Jae Doe” on one track and “Jae D.O.E.” on another, you risk splitting your catalog or creating multiple artist profiles. Stick with one spelling, one format, every time.
- Avoid trademark issues: Don’t try to game the system by tagging yourself with well-known artist names or brand terms. Not only is it unethical but it’s grounds for removal.
- Match your genre to your sound: Submitting a lo-fi chill beat as “Heavy Metal” won’t help you hit new audiences. If your genre is unclear, you’ll be skipped by playlist editors and buried in search.
- Label the language: Especially if your release has lyrics, DSPs need to know what language you’re singing or rapping in. This helps with regional placement, lyric matching, and SEO.
Pro Tip: Metadata matters before your release goes live. Double-check it in the final upload step or reach out to our support team if you're unsure.
3. Last-Minute Scheduling
We get it! You’re excited to share your music. But rushing your release is one of the biggest mistakes an artist can make. Uploading your track 1-2 days before your intended drop date almost guarantees it won’t go live on time, or worse, not everywhere.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Minimum upload window: At Unchained, we recommend uploading at least 7 days before your intended release date. That gives our team and DSPs time to process, review, and prepare your track.
- Want playlist placement? Plan further out: Editorial teams at Spotify, Apple, and others review submissions well in advance. You’ll need at least 3-4 weeks’ lead time if you want a shot at editorial playlisting.
- Avoid changing dates last minute: Frequent changes can disrupt the release flow and even trigger platform red flags.
Pro Tip: Treat your release like a launch campaign, not a last-minute drop. Build anticipation, lock in your visuals and metadata, and submit ahead of schedule.
4. Missing Proof of Rights (Yes, Even for Free Beats)
One of the fastest ways to get your release flagged (or worse taken down) is by uploading music you don’t have the legal right to distribute. It doesn’t matter if you got the beat from YouTube, a “free for profit” site, or even a friend. If you didn’t create 100% of the track yourself, you must have documentation that proves you have permission to use every part of it.
Here’s what counts and what doesn’t:
- “Free for profit” ≠ free of responsibility: If you found a beat labeled “free for profit,” that usually means the producer allows monetization under certain terms. You still need to download the license agreement and keep a record.
- Bought a beat? Keep the receipt. Most reputable producers send license documents with your purchase. Save them! Platforms may ask for proof if there’s ever a dispute.
- Using samples or loops? Clear them. Whether you’re chopping vinyl or using Splice, make sure any sounds you use are royalty-free or cleared for commercial use.
- Collaborations? Confirm your agreements. If someone else helped produce or write your track, outline who owns what and how royalties will be shared.
Pro Tip: If your track gets flagged for rights violations and you can’t produce documentation, stores may pull it entirely and you could lose royalties. Always keep your receipts, licenses, and agreements organized.
5. Low-Quality Audio Files
Your music deserves to sound its best especially when it’s competing with millions of other songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond. Submitting low-quality audio not only reflects poorly on your brand but can also lead to rejection by DSPs.
Here’s how to make sure your tracks sound as professional as they are:
- Use lossless audio formats only: Streaming platforms do not accept MP3 files. Always upload in WAV or FLAC, with a minimum quality of 16-bit / 44.1kHz.
- Avoid over-compression or clipping: If your mix is too loud or crushed, it can distort once it hits streaming platforms. Leave headroom in your master.
- Check across multiple devices: What sounds good in your studio might not translate to phone speakers, headphones, or car systems. Test your track everywhere.
- Get a second set of ears: If possible, have an engineer or trusted peer listen to your final master before uploading.
Pro Tip: Want next-level quality? Unchained users get access to A.I. mastering tools that ensure your mix hits the right loudness levels and EQ balance across all platforms.
Set Your Release Up for Success
Uploading your music should be the easiest part of your release, but only if you take the time to get it right. From cover art and metadata to licensing and mastering, each step plays a role in how your track is received by platforms and discovered by fans.
At Unchained, we’re here to help artists succeed, not just get distributed. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you’ll save yourself time, protect your royalties, and give your music the best shot at making an impact on day one.
Ready to upload with confidence?
Log into your Unchained dashboard, follow the checklist, and let’s make sure your next release is smooth, professional, and problem-free