A Countdown Page is the closest thing Spotify has to a native pre-save campaign: fans pre-save, preview the tracklist, watch short countdown videos and buy merch, and on release day Spotify notifies everyone who pre-saved and drops the record into their library. It is also the most misunderstood tool in Spotify for Artists, because most artists who go looking for it discover they cannot use it. This is what the eligibility rules say, straight from Spotify's support pages, and what to do when your release does not qualify.
The short answer
You can create a Countdown Page if you have at least 3,000 monthly active listeners and the release is a new, original album or EP. Singles are not eligible, and neither are reissues, deluxe editions, remasters or compilations. Once your distributor delivers the release metadata, the option appears in Spotify for Artists within 72 hours, and you can build and edit the page any time before release day.
- 3,000
- monthly active listeners required (Spotify for Artists support)
- ~60%
- of album pre-savers stream in the first week (Spotify for Artists support)
- 72 h
- after DDEX delivery until the page can be created (Spotify for Artists support)
What a Countdown Page actually does
Spotify's description: fans can "pre-save, preview your tracklist, watch countdown videos, and shop merch," and the page is surfaced "across your artist profile, Search, Home, and the Upcoming Releases hub." On release day, "we notify everyone who pre-saved and add it straight to their library." Those quotes are from the getting started guide. The number that matters is the conversion claim on the same page: on average nearly 60% of people who pre-save an album stream it in the first week. That is the week the algorithm watches.
Countdown videos are the short vertical clips on the page. After Spotify ended Clips uploads on June 17, 2026, these are the only short-form video artists can still put on Spotify, and only here.
The full eligibility list
| Rule | What Spotify says |
|---|
| Listeners | At least 3,000 monthly active listeners, checked under Audience, Segments in Spotify for Artists |
| Release type | Only new and original albums and EPs |
| Singles | Not eligible |
| Reissues | Deluxe editions, anniversary editions, remasters and compilations are not eligible |
| Multiple main artists | Only the first-named main artist can create the page |
| Split rights | Most split-rights releases are not supported yet |
| Delivery | Your label or distributor must deliver the release via DDEX; the option appears within 72 hours |
| Who can build it | Admins and Editors on the Spotify for Artists team |
Source for every row: Countdown Pages and Getting started with Countdown Pages on Spotify for Artists support, read October 2026. Older guides say 5,000 listeners. The current page says 3,000.
How to set one up
- Deliver the album or EP through your distributor at least a few weeks out. Nothing appears until the metadata arrives.
- In Spotify for Artists go to Music, then Upcoming, pick the release and click Get started.
- Add countdown videos (vertical, short, no logos or text overlays) and tag merch if you have a store connected.
- Review and publish. You can edit the page any time before release.
- Separately, pitch one song from the release for editorial consideration at least 7 days before release. The Countdown Page does not do this for you.
The single problem, and the honest answer
Most independent releases in 2026 are singles, and most independent artists are under 3,000 monthly listeners. So for most readers of this post, the Countdown Page is not available. The dishonest answer is a third-party button labelled "Pre-save" that just links to your profile. The honest answer is a page you control that does three things: shows the release date and a countdown, lets the fan say "remind me", and keeps their email so you can tell them on release day. That is not a library add. It is better in one way: the fan is now yours, and you can tell them about the next single too.
We wrote the long version in our honest guide to Spotify pre-save campaigns. The short version: pre-saves that do not include an email are rented. Pre-saves that do are owned.
Where Stage fits
A Stage Smart Link with a release date switches itself from a countdown with a "remind me on release day" form to a live streaming page when the date arrives, emails everyone who signed up, and keeps those fans in your list. It works for singles, for artists with 40 monthly listeners, and alongside a real Countdown Page when you qualify for one. Free on every plan.
The honest summary
If you have 3,000 monthly active listeners and an album or EP on the way, build the Countdown Page: it is free, native, and 60% of pre-savers stream in week one. If you are releasing a single or you are under the threshold, stop looking for a workaround inside Spotify. Build the countdown on a page you own, capture the email, and send the link yourself on release day.
Frequently asked
How many listeners do you need for a Spotify Countdown Page?
At least 3,000 monthly active listeners, according to Spotify for Artists support as of October 2026. You can check the number under Audience, then Segments.
Can you make a Countdown Page for a single?
No. Spotify states that singles are not eligible. Only new and original albums and EPs qualify.
Do pre-saves on a Countdown Page help?
Spotify says nearly 60% of people who pre-save an album stream it in the first week, and that pre-savers get a notification and the album in their library on release day.
What are countdown videos?
Short vertical videos shown on a Countdown Page. Since Spotify ended Clips uploads on June 17, 2026, countdown videos on eligible Countdown Pages are the only short-form video artists can still upload.
What if my release is not eligible?
Use a pre-save page you control with a release date, a reminder form and email capture, so you can tell fans on release day yourself. It works for singles and for any listener count.
