Release & Submission Checklist

Distributor deadlines are the item most likely to quietly break the rest of this list — most distributors need a release several days to a few weeks ahead of the release date to have any shot at Apple Music editorial consideration, so submitting late doesn't just risk a delay, it usually rules out playlist pitching entirely for that release. Claiming your Apple Music for Artists profile is worth doing well before a release too, since verification can take time and the profile is what lets you see streaming data and pitch upcoming releases directly.

• •Editorial consideration goes through your distributor, not a form on Apple's own site directly — worth confirming your specific distributor actually offers a pitching path before assuming it's covered automatically.
• •A digital booklet only applies to releases where it makes sense — a single rarely needs one, while a full album with credits, lyrics, or liner notes benefits from having it prepared alongside the audio rather than added after the fact.