Self-distribution or a distribution company? Comparing the routes

Every independent artist and recitation channel owner asks: “should I distribute on my own or with a company?” and “is there a way to get on Spotify without a distributor?” Before comparing, here is the rule that settles half the answer.

Can you publish on Spotify and Anghami without a distributor?

No. Spotify says music is uploaded to it through a distributor, and that a signed artist's label likely already works with one. Anghami has announced that direct uploads through Anghami for Creators are no longer supported, and that publishing goes through a distributor that handles licensing, rights management and distribution. So “self-distribution” in practice means managing your own account with a distributor.

What routes are available to publish your music?

There are three routes, and all of them end with a distributor delivering the release to platforms. The Spotify for Artists provider directory groups providers into artist distributors, label distributors, and delivery platforms for companies that handle their own licensing:

• Self-distribution: an account with a distribution platform that serves artists directly, where you upload each release yourself.
• A distribution company: a company that receives your files, prepares metadata and codes, delivers the release, collects revenue and issues reports.
• A label deal: the label releases through its distributor, and your share and rights follow the contract.

What is the difference between self-distribution and a distribution company?

The core difference is who carries the work and responsibility, not platform reach; both routes reach the same platforms:

What do you handle yourself with self-distribution?

With self-distribution the artist handles everything between the recording and the platform, and carries any metadata mistake that can delay the release or put it under another artist's profile. These are the tasks, with Spotify's own specs:

• Confirming the recording rights and keeping proof, since you answer for them to the distributor.
• Square cover art between 640 and 10,000 pixels, in JPG, PNG or TIFF with sRGB colour, never upscaled from a small image, as Spotify requires.
• Metadata in Arabic and English, and the ISRC and UPC codes.
• Claiming your artist profile on Spotify for Artists and Anghami for Creators, and pitching an unreleased song to Spotify's editors at least 7 days before release.
• Following reports and requesting payment once you reach the withdrawal minimum.
• Watching for re-uploads of your work on YouTube and dealing with them.

When does a distribution company suit you?

Distribution through a company means handing your files to a distributor that prepares metadata and codes, delivers the release and collects revenue; it suits you when time or YouTube protection matters more than handling every detail yourself. There are four main cases:

• A large catalogue, such as a complete mushaf or a nasheed archive, that needs exact metadata for every track.
• Recordings that get re-uploaded on YouTube and need monitoring. YouTube requires Content ID applicants to hold exclusive rights to the material and show a demonstrated need.
• Wanting one report across platforms and YouTube instead of separate dashboards.
• Bilingual metadata that needs someone to check it before delivery.

What should you ask before you sign?

Spotify says each distribution service is different and advises doing some research before choosing. These six questions settle the decision for any route:

1. Who owns the recording rights after signing? Read the clause itself: do the rights stay yours with only a licence to the distributor, or do they pass to the company?
2. What is the cost model: an annual fee, a per-release fee or a share of revenue? Spotify says most distributors charge a fee or commission.
3. What is the withdrawal minimum, and how often are reports issued? Spotify notes distributor withdrawal minimums usually range from $2 to $50.
4. Does the service include YouTube protection through Content ID?
5. What happens if you want to move? Make sure your ISRCs stay with you; Spotify says the code should stay with you whoever distributes the track later.
6. Who do you contact when there is a metadata or royalty problem?

Whatever the route, your distributor's or label's report is the most accurate source for your earnings, according to Spotify.

This is the standard Injaz Digital works to: distribution to 100+ platforms, with metadata, rights and sales reports in one place, and protection for recitations and nasheeds on YouTube from the same team.

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