CD Baby release planner: when to submit your release
Sign up your release with CD Baby at least three weeks before release day; CD Baby calls four to six weeks ideal. Inspection takes 1 to 2 business days with Fast Forward and 7 to 14 business days without it, so the planner schedules the upload four weeks out with Fast Forward and six weeks out without.
SOURCE: CD Baby help: How long does it take for my music to go live? · CHECKED 15 October 2026Music Release Planner runs in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded.
CD Baby deadlines, with and without Fast Forward
| Step | With Fast Forward | Without Fast Forward | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master, artwork, credits and metadata final | 35 days before | 49 days before | Stage planner |
| Submit to CD Baby with a set release date | 28 days before | 42 days before | CD Baby help |
| Inspection | 1 to 2 business days | 7 to 14 business days | CD Baby help |
| Latest submission the planner accepts | 21 days before | 35 days before | CD Baby help |
| Release shows in Spotify for Artists | about 48 hours after delivery | about 48 hours after delivery | Spotify for Artists |
| Pitch Spotify editors | last safe day 7 days before | last safe day 7 days before | Spotify for Artists |
| Release goes live | midnight local time | midnight local time | Spotify for Music Providers |
What CD Baby says, word for word
If you're promoting your release or want a specific launch date, sign up at least 3 weeks in advance (4-6 weeks in advance is ideal). Inspection: with Fast Forward 1-2 business days, without Fast Forward 7-14 business days.— CD Baby help: How long does it take for my music to go live?
CD Baby's help centre blocks automated reading, so the quote comes from a search snippet of that article, checked on 13 October 2026. Confirm it in the article before a release that depends on it.
Fast Forward changes the whole plan
CD Baby is the only distributor in the planner whose own inspection time can swallow the pitch window. Without Fast Forward, 7 to 14 business days is up to three calendar weeks before the release even reaches Spotify, so a three-week lead could leave no time to pitch at all. The planner adds two weeks when Fast Forward is not ticked: the upload moves from four to six weeks out and the shortest date it accepts moves from three to five weeks. Tick the Fast Forward box in the planner if you bought it, and the dates move back.
CD Baby's own release advice
CD Baby's DIY Musician blog goes further than the help centre: "Set your release at least 6 weeks in the future. Announce at least 4 weeks in advance." It suggests pitching local media two weeks ahead and national media four weeks ahead, and pitching a track to editorial playlists at least one week before release. The planner's promotion rows follow that guide, so a CD Baby release without Fast Forward and the six-week plan line up neatly.
December releases
CD Baby asks for four weeks for release dates between 22 and 28 December. If you do not have Fast Forward, aim for seven weeks so inspection and the holiday slowdown do not overlap.
Spotify's side of the plan
| Spotify rule | In Spotify's words | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch at least 7 days before release | "Deliver your music at least 7 days before release so our editors have time to listen. You can only pitch one song at a time." | Pitching music to playlist editors |
| Release Radar | "Pitch at least 7 days before release day to pick the song for Release Radar." | Getting music on Release Radar |
| Upcoming tab | "It can take around 48 hours to show from when you submitted it via your distributor to Spotify." | Unreleased music in Spotify for Artists |
| Go-live time | "We need 5 business days to get new music live." | Music not live on release day |
| Release moment | "Store Turn: the release goes live at Midnight, the start of the day for each territory." | Setting up a release deal |
| Countdown Page | At least 3,000 monthly listeners, albums and EPs only, option shown within 72 hours of delivery | Countdown Pages |
| Canvas | "3-8 seconds long. Vertical 9:16 ratio." Can be added to upcoming releases | Canvas guidelines |
What time does the release go live?
By default, at midnight local time in each territory. Spotify's documentation for distributors calls this Store Turn: "the release goes live at Midnight, the start of the day for each territory. Daylight savings time can change this." Midnight arrives first in New Zealand and last on the US West Coast, so in December Auckland hears a Friday release at 11:00 UTC on Thursday and Los Angeles at 08:00 UTC on Friday, a 21 hour spread. A distributor can instead set a timed release (one chosen moment), but few independent distributors offer it. The planner shows your own local time for each market under the plan.
Questions artists ask
How long does CD Baby take to approve music?
CD Baby's inspection takes 1 to 2 business days with Fast Forward and 7 to 14 business days without it, according to its help centre.
How far in advance should I submit my release to CD Baby?
At least three weeks if you want a specific launch date, and four to six weeks is what CD Baby calls ideal. Without Fast Forward, plan on six weeks.
What does CD Baby Fast Forward do to my release date?
It shortens inspection to 1 to 2 business days, so the planner can schedule the upload four weeks out instead of six and accept dates three weeks away instead of five.
Can I pitch to Spotify if I release through CD Baby?
Yes, in Spotify for Artists, once the release shows in the Upcoming tab and at least 7 days before release day. Without Fast Forward, a short lead time can leave no pitch window.
How long does CD Baby take to get music on Spotify?
Inspection plus delivery, then about 48 hours for the release to show in Spotify for Artists. With a set date, the release goes live at midnight on that date in each territory.
When should I submit a December release to CD Baby?
CD Baby asks for four weeks for release dates between 22 and 28 December. Without Fast Forward, add the extra two weeks the planner uses.
Related
- Music release planner: every deadline from upload to release day
Free release planner: pick a date and distributor and get every deadline (upload, Spotify pitch, pre-save, release day), each with its dated source. - DistroKid release planner: when to upload
When to upload to DistroKid so your release goes live everywhere on the day and can still be pitched to Spotify editors, with every deadline dated. - TuneCore release planner: how far in advance to upload
When to upload to TuneCore for playlist consideration: 3 to 4 weeks ahead, approved and in stores two weeks before release. Every deadline, dated. - Amuse release planner: scheduling minimums and the Spotify pitch
Amuse release scheduling: 14 days on Artist, 10 on Artist+, 7 on Professional, and why a Spotify pitch still needs about four weeks. Every deadline, dated. - Spotify stats calculator: save rate, streams per listener and the 1,000-stream rule
Free Spotify stats calculator: save rate, streams per listener, playlist adds, the 1,000-stream royalty rule and a rough payout, with sourced benchmarks. - Streams to money calculator: what every platform pays per stream
What Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and 7 more pay per stream in 2026, after your distributor's cut and splits. Sourced, dated ranges. Free. - Can you upload AI music? Rules for 24 platforms and distributors
Can you upload AI music to Spotify, DistroKid, TuneCore, YouTube or Bandcamp? 24 policies in each company's own words, dated, with a changelog.
Sources
- CD Baby help: How long does it take for my music to go live? · checked 13 October 2026 · page blocks automated reading, re-checking by hand
- Spotify for Artists: Pitching music to playlist editors · checked 13 October 2026
- Spotify for Artists: Getting music on Release Radar · checked 13 October 2026
- Spotify for Artists: Unreleased music in Spotify for Artists · checked 13 October 2026
- Spotify for Artists: Music not live on release day · checked 13 October 2026
- Spotify for Music Providers: Setting up a release deal · checked 13 October 2026
- Spotify for Artists: Countdown Pages · checked 13 October 2026
- Spotify for Artists: Canvas guidelines · checked 13 October 2026
- CD Baby DIY Musician: How to release a single (2025-11-12) · checked 13 October 2026 · third-party source
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