No, your song doesn't have to be on Spotify to submit on SubmitHub.
What we accept
Any of the following counts as a valid audio source when you upload a song:
Curators can listen from whichever source you provide.
Pre-release is fine
If your song is going to be on Spotify but isn't out yet, you can still submit. Use a YouTube unlisted link, a SoundCloud private link, a Disco.ac link, or an audio file upload. This is common for building early curator interest ahead of a release date. Unfortunately we cannot use pre-release links from your distributor.
How we find your song on release
Once the song goes live on Spotify, we try to automatically attach the Spotify link to your existing submission so playlisters who were waiting can add it without you needing to update anything.
It works best if you've linked your Spotify artist profile to your SubmitHub artist profile: we can then look directly at your releases. Otherwise we search for the release by song title.
If we somehow select the wrong song, please reach out to our support team and we'll replace it for you. You do not need to message the curators directly.
When a Spotify link matters
If you're pitching Spotify playlisters, having the song on Spotify is important. Without it, a playlister can listen and give feedback, but they can't actually add the song to their Spotify playlist. Many will decline for that reason, since approving a song they can't share isn't useful to them.
That's why we generally recommend having the song up on Spotify by release day, if not sooner. If you're targeting bloggers, YouTubers, influencers, radio shows, or labels, a Spotify link isn't required.
If your song will never be on Spotify
Some songs aren't headed to Spotify at all: you might be SoundCloud-first, releasing a remix or bootleg that can't go up, or just keeping a track off the platform. There's a way to still get playlist placements.
On your song's page, under the audio sources, you'll see a "Not releasing this song on Spotify? Click here" link. It only shows when your track has no Spotify link attached. Turn it on and playlisters will be asked to share your song to their YouTube, SoundCloud, Apple Music, or Deezer playlists instead, based on the links you've provided.
A few things to know:
Release day: your Spotify link doesn't need to be ready first
Keep your real release date, even if the song only appears on Spotify a few hours into the day. If a playlister scheduled your song for release day and we don't have the Spotify link yet, their share simply waits. As soon as the link is attached, whether we found it automatically or you added it on your song's page, the share goes through on its own. You don't need to change anything or message the curators.
If your distributor is running late
If your release date has passed and your song still isn't on Spotify because of a distributor problem, change the release date on your song's page to the new date once you know it, or to "undecided" if you don't. That stops curators from seeing a "released" song they can't find. Scheduled shares will still wait for the link. Keep in mind that if a release date stays "undecided" for 3 months after an approval, that approval expires.
Packages with Meta ad credits
If you're running a SubmitHub Package that includes Meta ad credits, those credits need a Spotify link to point to. We'll wait for your release and send a reminder when it's time to add the Spotify URL. See the "Pre-release songs" article in the Packages category for more.