A rejected release isn't the end of your release — it's a fixable hold. Stores reject music for a short list of predictable reasons: a metadata mismatch, cover art that breaks the rules, an audio file that's too low quality, or rights you haven't cleared. Find which one applies, fix it, and resubmit — most releases sail through on the second try. Here's the full list and the exact fix for each.
If you haven't released yet, our step-by-step Spotify release guide walks through getting it right the first time.
The common rejection reasons — and how to fix each
| Why it was rejected | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Artist or song name has extra words like "Official", "Prod. by", or emojis | Remove them. Use the clean artist name only; put producer credits in the proper credit fields, not the title. |
| Featured artist named in the title but not added as a feature | Move "feat. X" out of the title and add X in the featured-artist field instead. |
| Cover art has a website URL, social handle, price, or a logo you don't own | Re-export the art with none of these. Stores reject any promotional text or third-party logos. |
| Cover art is blurry, under 3000×3000px, or not a perfect square | Supply a sharp 3000×3000px JPG/PNG. See cover art guidelines. |
| Audio is a low-bitrate MP3, has clipping, or long silence at the start/end | Upload a clean WAV (16- or 24-bit). Trim dead air. See audio file specs. |
| Metadata mismatch — language, primary artist, or version doesn't match the audio | Make every field match the recording exactly. See metadata best practices. |
| The track is a cover, remix, or contains a sample you haven't cleared | Get the right licence or permission first — see covers, remixes & samples. |
| Duplicate of a release already live, or impersonates another artist | Don't re-deliver the same recording twice; release under your own verified name only. |
Metadata problems (the most common cause)
Most rejections come down to text, not music. Stores compare your title, artist name, version, and language against their rules and against what's already in their catalog. Keep titles plain — no "(Official Audio)", no all-caps, no decorative symbols. Spell the primary artist exactly as it appears on your other releases so your profile stays unified. If there's a featured artist, name them in the feature field, not the title. These small fixes clear the large majority of holds.
Cover art problems
Art is rejected for two reasons: it breaks the content rules (any URL, social handle, pricing, or a logo you don't have rights to), or it's technically off-spec (not a 3000×3000px square, blurry, or pixelated). Re-export a clean, sharp square and resubmit. Nothing in the image should be there to "promote" — just the artwork.
Audio quality problems
Upload a mastered WAV, not an MP3 ripped from somewhere else. Watch for clipping (distortion when the level is too hot), and trim long silences at the start or end — some stores flag tracks that begin with several seconds of nothing. If your file was exported correctly from your DAW or by your mastering engineer, you're usually fine.
Rights and content problems
If your track is a cover, a remix, or uses a sample, you need the correct permission before it can go live — distribution doesn't grant those rights for you. Releases that duplicate something already live, or that use another artist's name to ride their traffic, are also blocked. These rules are covered in full in our content and rights policy.
How to resubmit
- Read the exact rejection note — it usually names the field or asset at fault.
- Fix only what's flagged; don't change unrelated details.
- Resubmit through your distributor. Most second submissions pass.
- If you're unsure why it was rejected, ask support before guessing — Grootin's team will tell you the specific fix.
Releasing with Grootin? Our team flags issues before delivery so most rejections never happen. See Grootin's plans or read the full distribution rules first.