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Pick your release date in the Release section of the builder. Fridays are highlighted because that’s the industry release day, when stores refresh their new-music playlists. You can pick any date, or let the release go out as soon as it’s approved. Leave enough time for review and delivery.

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Set the date

  1. Open your release in the builder.
  2. Click the Release date field.
  3. Pick a day in the calendar. Fridays are marked in the F column.
The release date calendar with Fridays highlighted The copyright year on your © and ℗ lines is taken from the release date. The builder tells you what a date means:
  • Today or tomorrow: review and delivery usually take a day or two, so the release may reach stores after this date.
  • 10 days out or less: a date more than 10 days out gives more time for playlist pitching.
  • A date that has passed: the release will be backdated. Stores list it with this date, but it only goes live after we approve it.
  • More than a year away, or an earlier year: check the year is right.

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Release as soon as possible

Click Release as soon as possible next to the date (or choose As soon as possible when you submit). The release date is then set to the day we approve the release, and it goes live at midnight local time in each region. If the release came out before, it goes back in stores the day it’s approved and stores keep showing the original release date. When you click Submit for review, you confirm the date one more time: On a specific date or As soon as possible.

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How far ahead should I submit?

There’s no minimum lead time in the builder, but your release has to be reviewed and delivered before the date. Plan for:
  • Review: usually 1–2 business days.
  • Changes: if we ask for changes, you’ll need time to make them and resubmit.
  • Delivery: most stores pick up a release within the hour once it’s delivered. Spotify can take up to 24 hours, and some stores take several business days.
Submitting a few weeks early also gives you time to share your pre-save link and pitch the release. Every approved release gets a free anthm.link page with a Spotify pre-save before release day.
Need it out urgently? Tell your manager before you submit.

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What happens on the release date

Once your release has been delivered, its status changes to Delivered and the release page says it’s in the stores and goes live on the release date. On the day, it becomes available on streaming services.

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Common questions

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Can I change the release date after I submit?

Not in the builder, because a submitted release is locked. If we send it back for changes you can change the date then. Otherwise, send us a message from the chat on this page, or email team@ammdistro.com, as early as possible.

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Can I pick a date in the past?

Yes, and the builder warns you that the release will be backdated. A past date usually only makes sense for music that was released before. In that case, answer Released before? with Yes, it’s been released, add the Original release date, and mark the tracks Previously released with their existing ISRCs. To move a release from another distributor, use Catalog Transfer, which keeps the original release date. See Move your catalog from another distributor. Related: How long until my release is live? · Create a release, step by step · Release statuses explained · Previously released music, ISRCs and UPCs