How to Promote Your Music Through Streaming Sites

Q: "Which streaming platform should I prioritize as an independent artist?"

"Spotify for reach and playlist opportunity, Apple Music and Tidal for above-average per-stream payouts and editorial support for indie artists, and Bandcamp if your genre has a real underground/collector audience - most artists end up using several, not just one."

Q: "How do I actually get my music onto streaming platforms?"

"Through a distributor - DistroKid, TuneCore, and similar services are the standard route, and most of them also unlock Spotify's self-serve pitching tool so you can submit unreleased tracks to Spotify's own editorial team."

Q: "Is Tidal worth bothering with as an indie artist?"

"Yes - it's no longer the uncertain startup it was in 2016. Tidal is established, still known for high-fidelity audio, and continues to support independent artists through editorial placement."

Q: "Do I need a music video to promote my music on YouTube?"

"No. A visualizer, lyric video, or even a static image over the audio is a completely normal way to get a track onto YouTube - a full production video helps, but it's not a requirement to start."

Quick answer: Get your music onto Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal through a distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, and similar services are the standard route), add Bandcamp if your genre has an underground or collector following, and don’t skip SoundCloud or YouTube - both still matter for discovery and community, not just streams. You don’t need a record deal or an established name to use any of this; you need a distributor account and music that’s actually finished.

Streaming didn’t just change how fans find music - it removed the gatekeeper who used to decide whether you got to be found at all. Here’s how to actually use it.

The Top Platforms Worth Your Time

You don’t need to be everywhere. Focus on a handful and do them properly:

Spotify
Apple Music
Tidal
Bandcamp
SoundCloud
YouTube

Spotify

Spotify is still the most-used streaming platform and the easiest to get started on through a distributor. Once you’re distributed, you can use Spotify’s self-serve pitching tool to submit unreleased tracks to Spotify’s own editorial team for playlist consideration - genuinely worth doing for every release, since it costs nothing but a few minutes.

Apple Music and Tidal

Both platforms have leaned into supporting independent artists with editorial playlists and, notably, above-average per-stream payouts compared to the industry average - worth having your music on even if Spotify remains your main discovery channel. Tidal in particular is no longer the “will it survive” story it was in its early years; it’s established, still associated with high-fidelity audio, and a real option, not a gamble.

Bandcamp

Bandcamp has become the platform for independent artists specifically, especially in genres with a dedicated, collector-minded fan base. Its direct-to-artist payment model means a much larger cut of every sale actually reaches you, which makes it worth using even if it’s not where your casual streams come from.

SoundCloud

Every indie artist should still have a SoundCloud presence, especially in hip-hop and electronic genres where its discovery culture stays active. It’s free, user-friendly, and its fan-powered royalty model rewards genuine listener engagement - see our full guide to promoting your music on SoundCloud for more.

YouTube

If you’ve made any kind of video for your music - even a simple lyric video or visualizer, not a full production - YouTube remains one of the most-visited sites in the world and a genuine discovery channel in its own right, especially through YouTube Shorts.

Don’t Skip the Press Release

Once your music is live, tell people. A press release timed to a new release or tour is still one of the fastest ways to reach music industry insiders - see our full press release guide for how to write one that actually gets read.

Want the distribution and outreach handled for you? Submit Your Music and let’s help you build real momentum around your streaming releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which streaming platform should I prioritize as an independent artist? Spotify for reach and playlist opportunity, Apple Music and Tidal for above-average per-stream payouts and editorial support for indie artists, and Bandcamp if your genre has a real underground/collector audience - most artists end up using several, not just one.

How do I actually get my music onto streaming platforms? Through a distributor - DistroKid, TuneCore, and similar services are the standard route, and most of them also unlock Spotify’s self-serve pitching tool so you can submit unreleased tracks to Spotify’s own editorial team.

Is Tidal worth bothering with as an indie artist? Yes - it’s no longer the uncertain startup it was in 2016. Tidal is established, still known for high-fidelity audio, and continues to support independent artists through editorial placement.

Do I need a music video to promote my music on YouTube? No. A visualizer, lyric video, or even a static image over the audio is a completely normal way to get a track onto YouTube - a full production video helps, but it’s not a requirement to start.

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