🎵 Why Your Song Isn’t Live Yet: Delays, Store Approvals & What You Can Do

Releasing your music is an exciting moment—but what if your song isn’t showing up on stores even after submission? Don’t panic. This blog will walk you through the common reasons for delays, how store approvals work, and what actions you can take to stay on track.

🚦 1. Store Approval Timelines: What’s Normal?

Most stores take 7 to 12 working days to process and approve a new release. This timeline may vary depending on:

• The platform (e.g., Spotify vs. JioSaavn)

• Public holidays or weekends

• Quality checks (cover art, audio, metadata)

Tip: Always submit your song at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid last-minute stress.

🕵️ 2. Common Reasons for Delays

Here are a few issues that often delay your release:

a. Cover Art Problems

• Generic or copyrighted images

• Missing song or artist name

• Extra text not matching song data

b. Incorrect Metadata

• Artist name mismatch

• Missing composer/lyricist real names

• Hidden credits or unverified featuring artists

c. Audio Issues

• Low quality or corrupted files

• No vocals (for non-instrumental releases)

• Mismatched audio and song title

d. Violations of Store Policies

• Devotional, AI-generated, or copyrighted content

• Use of sample beats without proper rights

  
  

📬 3. How Stores Approve a Song

Every store runs your release through automated and human checks:

• Metadata Validation: Name formatting, credits, language

• Audio Scanning: Quality check, Content ID scan

• Artwork Review: To ensure there’s no offensive or low-quality content

  
  

🛠️ 4. What You Can Do

✅ a. Double-check Before You Submit

• Is your artist name consistent across all fields?

• Have you mentioned full names for composers/lyricists?

• Is the cover art professional and not stock-based?

  
  

🕒 b. Wait Patiently for Store Review

• If it's still within 7-12 working days, give it time.

• You can track status via the distribution dashboard.

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📩 c. Raise a Request if It’s Too Late

• If your release isn't live after 12 working days, raise a support ticket from your dashboard.

  
  
  
  

🧾 5. Pro Tips to Avoid Delays

• Avoid re-uploading the same song multiple times.

• Do not send cover art or artist names via WhatsApp only—always update via proper email or dashboard.

• Keep your artist profiles (Spotify, Apple) updated for smooth linking.

• Don't use sample beats or free beats unless you have exclusive rights.

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🎤 Final Words

Delays happen—but with proper preparation, you can avoid most of them. Follow your distributor’s guidelines carefully and be proactive. And remember: A perfect release is better than a rushed one.