Release Checklist

The Friday release-date item isn't just convention — Spotify's own algorithmic and editorial playlist systems are built around a Friday release cycle, so a release scheduled for another day of the week is working against the platform's own discovery mechanics rather than with them. Canvas and promo assets are easy to leave for last minute, but they're what actually gets shared when the release goes live, so having them ready before the release date (not the day of) avoids a scramble during the window when attention is highest.

• •The distributor deadline is the item most likely to quietly wreck the rest of the list — most distributors need several days to a few weeks of lead time to submit for editorial playlist consideration at all, so submitting late doesn't just risk a delay, it often rules out pitching entirely.
• •The pre-save link only helps if it's shared before the release, not after — its entire purpose is converting pre-release attention into day-one streams and saves.