Short answer: Spotify creates your artist profile when your first release reaches Spotify, but nobody controls it until you claim it. To claim it, go to artists.spotify.com, choose that you're the artist or their manager, find your profile by name or by pasting your artist link, and submit links to your Instagram, YouTube or website so Spotify can confirm it's you. It's free. Once you're approved you can edit your page, see your stats, pitch songs to editorial playlists and add your team.
On Grootin there's one extra step that saves a lot of trouble later: link your Spotify page in your dashboard first, so every release lands on the right profile. This guide covers both.
What you need before you start
- At least one release delivered to Spotify. If this is your first release, your profile doesn't exist until Spotify receives the music. (You can claim before release day; see below.)
- A free Spotify account. You'll sign in to Spotify for Artists with it.
- Your artist link. Open your profile in the Spotify app, tap the three dots, then Share, then Copy link. It looks like open.spotify.com/artist/…. The string of letters and numbers at the end is your Spotify artist ID.
- Your official socials. Spotify uses your Instagram, YouTube or website to check that you're really the artist.
Step 1: Link the right Spotify page on Grootin
Before you claim anything on Spotify, make sure Grootin delivers your music to the right profile. Lots of Indian artists share a stage name with someone else, and a release that lands on the wrong page is a pain to move.
- In your Grootin dashboard, open Settings → DSP Claiming.
- Answer "Do you already have a Spotify artist page?"
- If yes: search your stage name or paste your artist link, check the photo and follower count match, and confirm. Your Spotify page is now locked to your account, so every release goes to it. If you ever need to change it, contact support.
- If no (or you're not sure): choose "No, create one". Spotify will create a fresh page in your name when your next release is delivered. Once it's live, check that Settings → DSP Claiming shows your new page; if it still says Requested, email support@grootin.in with your artist link and we'll connect it.
The same screen covers Apple Music and your YouTube Official Artist Channel. More on those in claiming your profile on every platform.
Step 2: Claim your profile on Spotify for Artists
- Go to artists.spotify.com and sign in with your Spotify account.
- Choose to claim a profile and select Artist or Manager.
- Search for your artist name, or paste your artist link if several artists share your name.
- Add links to your official Instagram, YouTube channel or website so Spotify can confirm it's you.
- Submit the request. Spotify reviews it and approval usually takes a few days. You'll get an email when you're in.
Two rules to know. Only one claim request can be open for a profile at a time, so don't keep resubmitting. And if your profile is already claimed (by a manager, a former label or a bandmate), you can't claim it again: ask that team's Admin to invite you instead.
Can I claim before my first release?
Yes. Spotify lets you claim ahead of release day if you have two things: your artist link and the UPC of your upcoming release. Send both to Spotify through the Spotify for Artists claim process.
On Grootin, the UPC is shown on your release's page in the dashboard once it's assigned. For a brand-new artist, the Spotify artist link only exists after Spotify has received the release, so wait until your release has been delivered, then write to support@grootin.in and we'll help you find it. Claiming early is worth it because it lets you pitch your first single to playlist editors before it comes out.
About the "verified" checkmark
You may have read that claiming your profile gets you a blue verified tick. That changed on 28 January 2026: Spotify replaced the "Verified Artist" checkmark with a Registered Artist label in the About section of your profile. It means the same thing as before: your profile is claimed and actively managed through Spotify for Artists. Read more in Spotify's verified checkmark is now Registered Artist.
Set up your profile properly
Your Spotify page is often the first thing a new listener sees after hearing you on a Reel or a playlist. Treat it like your shopfront:
- Artist image and header. Use a sharp, recent photo that works when cropped to a circle.
- Bio. Write a few lines on who you are, where you're from and what your sound is. Mention your city and scene; it helps people place you.
- Artist Pick. Pin your newest release, a playlist or an upcoming show to the top of your profile.
- Canvas and Clips. Add short looping visuals and videos to your tracks. See our Spotify Canvas guide.
- Keep it current. Update your pick and photo with every release cycle.
Pitch your next song to Spotify's editors
Pitching is the main reason to claim your profile before you release anything else. Here's how it works:
- You can only pitch unreleased music, and only one song at a time. Once that song goes live, you can pitch the next.
- Pitch at least 7 days before release. If you do, Spotify also adds the song to your followers' Release Radar playlists, which is the most reliable exposure you'll get.
- Pitching doesn't guarantee a playlist spot. Write a specific pitch covering genre, mood, language, your city and what's happening around the release.
Your release has to be delivered to Spotify before you can pitch it, so submit it on Grootin well ahead of release day. Three to four weeks gives you room for review, delivery and a proper pitch. See the release timeline and how to pitch Spotify playlists. Your release plan on Grootin also has a Pitch Now shortcut.
Read your stats
Spotify for Artists shows streams, listeners, monthly listeners, saves and followers, plus where people find you (your profile, playlists, Radio, other listeners' libraries) and where they are. Use it:
- If one city is over-indexing, that's where to run ads or play a show.
- If a playlist is driving plays, thank the curator and keep releasing in that lane.
- If most streams come from your own profile and followers, your audience is loyal but you aren't being discovered yet. Pitching and Reels are the fix.
Add your manager or team
Once you have access, you can invite your manager, label or bandmates and choose how much they can do:
- Admin: everything, including adding and removing team members.
- Editor: edit the profile, add Canvas and Clips, and pitch releases.
- Reader: view stats only.
Keep at least one Admin seat for yourself. If a manager or label is the only Admin and you part ways, getting your profile back takes time.
Fixing common problems
- "I can't find my profile." Your release probably hasn't reached Spotify yet. Wait until it's live, or claim with your artist link and UPC as described above.
- My song is on someone else's profile, or theirs is on mine. Fill in the content mismatch form inside Spotify for Artists and tell Grootin support so we can fix the delivery. Locking your Spotify page in Settings → DSP Claiming stops it happening again.
- I have two profiles. This usually happens when a release went out without your existing artist ID. Contact Grootin support with both artist links and we'll help you move your music to one profile.
- My claim is taking too long. Approval usually takes a few days. Check that the social links you submitted are public and show the same artist name.
Spotify is only one platform. Claim the rest too: Apple Music for Artists, JioSaavn and YouTube are all covered in our guide to claiming your profile everywhere.