If your song is missing, the most common reason is processing lag. Different stores have different “ingestion” speeds; while Apple Music might go live in 24 hours, YouTube Music and Pandora can take up to 2 weeks. Other culprits include metadata errors (typos in your name), territory restrictions (your song isn’t licensed for that country), or technical flagging due to Uncleared samples or low-quality artwork.
1. The “Ingestion” Timeline
When you hit “Submit” on your distributor’s dashboard, your music doesn’t go straight to Spotify. It goes to a review team, then to a delivery server, and finally to each store’s individual database.
| Platform | Estimated Live Time (2025) |
| Apple Music / iTunes | 1–3 Business Days |
| Spotify | 2–5 Business Days |
| Amazon Music | 2–4 Business Days |
| YouTube Music | 1–2 Weeks |
| TIDAL / Deezer | 3–7 Business Days |
2. Common Technical Roadblocks
- The “Index” Delay: Even if your song is “live,” it might not show up in the Search Bar immediately. It can take 48 hours for a platform’s search engine to index a new artist name or title.
- Metadata Mismatch: If you spelled your artist name differently than your previous releases (e.g., “The Band” vs “TheBand”), the platform may create a brand new, empty profile instead of putting the song on your main page.
- Artwork/Audio Rejection: If your cover art contains a logo (like the Spotify logo) or your audio file is a low-quality MP3 instead of a 24-bit WAV, the store may reject the file without notifying you immediately.
3. The “Distribution Trap”: Visibility vs. Income
Solving the mystery of why your song isn’t “live” is important for your ego and your fans. However, making your song audible is not the same as making it profitable.
Many artists believe that once the song is live on Spotify and they are “distributed,” the job is done. This is a financial mistake. Distribution is a delivery service—it’s the truck that puts the box on the shelf. It is not the system that ensures you get paid every cent you are owed.
4. Why You’re Losing Money Without Publishing
Your distributor only collects the Master (Recording) Royalty. But every stream also generates a Songwriting (Composition) Royalty.
- The 50% Leak: If you only have a distributor, you are effectively ignoring 50% of your potential revenue.
- The “Black Box”: Mechanical and Performance royalties from international streams don’t go to your distributor. If you haven’t registered your song’s composition, that money sits in a “Black Box” for a few years before being distributed to major labels and top-charting artists.
- Territory Issues: Your distributor might get your song “live” in 100 countries, but they aren’t registered to collect songwriting money in those 100 countries.
5. How Audiobulb Completes the Journey
We don’t just help you get your music “heard”—we ensure your rights are claimed. While your distributor handles the file, Audiobulb handles the administration.
- Global Collection: We connect your songs to global societies (The MLC, PRS, IPRS, etc.) to capture the “hidden” royalties your distributor ignores.
- Flat-Fee, 0% Commission: Most “publishing” add-ons from distributors take 15–20% of your money. Audiobulb charges $19.99/year and takes 0% commission. You keep everything.
- Active Usage Tracking: If your song is missing from a platform but someone is using it in a viral video, our technology finds it. We don’t just wait for a report; we actively hunt for your royalties.
Summary
If your song isn’t showing up, check your metadata and give it at least 14 days. But once it is live, don’t stop there. Distribution is only half of the professional equation. Without a publishing administrator, you are a “verified” artist who is leaving half of your paycheck on the table.
Your Next Step: Is your music finally live on all platforms? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year to start collecting the songwriting royalties your distributor is missing and ensure you own 100% of your global revenue.