If you’ve had music on Spotify for more than a few years, you remember the days of muddling through the mystery-laden world of Rovi, asking gatekeepers and submitting tickets into a blackhole in an attempt to just get your bio updated on your artist page. It seems so archaic, like such a fever dream that was shockingly, only five years ago. 

It’s incredible how fast this industry and the technology that supports it moves. 

But we now have the ability to directly update artist profiles at five of the major DSPs (Digital Service Providers):

• Spotify

• Apple Music

• Amazon

• Pandora

• Deezer** 

+How Much Each Distributor Pays for Spotify and Apple Music

Not only is it important to make sure you’ve claimed your page on all of these, it’s imperative to utilize any self-service marketing tools these artist dashboards provide. Because those all-powerful DSPs that you want to pay attention to what you’re doing — they want you to pay attention to what they’re doing, too. 

Below is a list of all the major DSPs that have artist dashboards that you can sign up for today, and how to get started. 

**One major caveat — the time it takes to get approved for access to any of these tools can vary widely, so make sure to set them up well in advance of any new releases.

Claim Artist Profile on Spotify

To claim artist profile on Spotify For Artists, you’ll need a personal Spotify account.

1. Go to artists.spotify.com/c/access and click “claim your profile.” 
2. Fill out the required information, and wait to hear from Spotify.
3. Once you are approved, you have claimed the account and your artist page will now be verified (and have a blue check mark).
4. You’ll also be the “owner” of the page, so anyone else that wants access to your page in their Spotify For Artists account will have to receive an invite from you. Try not to let it go to your head.

Once you’ve got access to Spotify For Artists, here’s what you should do with your profile.

1. Head to the Overview Tab to update or add:
   • Header image.
   • Avatar image (aka profile photo).
   • Pin your artist pick (this expires every 14 days).
   • Add any playlists you’ve created and would like featured on your profile in the “artist playlists” section. 
2. Head to the About tab to update or add:
   • Photos for your image gallery.
   • Bio.
   • Link your socials!
3. Head to the Concerts tab to make sure your profile is pulling in concerts from one of Spotify’s ticketing partners.
4. Got merch? Set it up via Merchbar and learn how to link it to your profile here.

*Tip: Spotify has even more tips to optimize your profile, as well as more info on the above here.

And make sure to keep an eye on…

• The Spotify For Artists home page has a lot of great articles + suggestions tailored to your music.
• Promotions and Playlists help section, which highlights all of the things you can and should be utilizing to promote your music on Spotify. 
• The Spotify playlist pitching tool.
• Make sure to check out Spotify Ad Studio and Spotify Marquee if paid advertising is part of your marketing strategy.

Claim Artist Profile on Apple Music

To claim artist profile on Apple Music For Artists, you’ll need an Apple ID.

Visit artists.apple.com.

1. Click Sign Up and sign in using your Apple ID.
2. Click “Request Artist Access” and search for your page. You can also grab your artist page URL from iTunes store and paste it in here to expedite the process.
3. Select a release to verify you are claiming the correct profile.
4. Select a role for yourself.
5. Fill out all required fields and await confirmation that Apple believes you are who you say you are.

Once you’ve got access to Apple Music For Artists, here’s what you should do with your profile.

1. Update your artist image.

Note that there is a review process for new images that can take up to 5 business days. Make sure you’re uploading an image that meets the guidelines!

And make sure to keep an eye on…

• “Promote” tab – Apple is constantly adding new, interactive & (in true apple form) aesthetically pleasing ways for you to share your music. Try out the tools, tag the provider, let them know you like what they’re doing.
• Apple Music Marketing Tools is a one-stop shop for all your custom links & assets.
• Messaging and Style Guidelines to find best practices on how to point people to Apple Music on socials.

Claim Artist Profile on Amazon

To claim artist profile on Amazon, you’ll need a personal Amazon account. 

1. Visit https://artists.amazon.com, and sign in using your personal account (or create a new one just for business use). 
2. Search by artist name, and select yours.
3. Click “Claim this artist.”
4. Fill out all required fields. You will likely be required to verify your relationship to the artist by connecting a social account. Amazon will review this and if everything checks out, you’ll get a notification that you’ve got access within the next day or so.

Once you’ve got access to Amazon For Artists, here’s what you should do with your profile.

1. Update your profile photo.
2. Update your background image.
3. Connect your Twitch account (where applicable).

And make sure to keep an eye on…

• Promotions Highlights – for example, see what happens when you release new music for fans who are following you on an Alexa device.
• Tools – Learn all the tech specs & best practices on how to promote yourself & your music on Amazon.
• Alexa – Voice drives a huge portion of streams on Amazon. Make sure you’re doing everything you can to optimize for it!

Claim Artist Profile on Pandora AMP

To claim artist profile on Pandora AMP, you’ll just need your name, artist name & a Twitter login (or you can fill out a form if you don’t have a verified Twitter).

1. Visit https://amp.pandora.com/claim-artist.
2. Fill out the required information.
3. Verify your identity with either Twitter or by clicking the Fill Out Form button.*
4. Submit a request and wait for access.

*Note that at the time of this writing, this verification step seems to be a little glitchy. It’s unclear as to whether you need to personally have a verified twitter as the person who is named on the account, or whether it’s the artist’s twitter. And the “fill out form” button just takes you to a one-line box where you can enter anything you like, with little instruction. You may need to seek additional support here from amp-support@pandora.com if you’re having trouble.

Once you’ve got access to Pandora AMP, here’s what you should do with your profile.

1. Update your profile photo.

2. Make sure your profile is set up on Next Big Sound and connect it to your Pandora AMP profile to get access to more in-depth Pandora information than you would otherwise have access to.

And make sure to keep an eye on…

• AMP Playbook – incredibly in-depth suite of tools Pandora provides to maximize your marketing efforts on the platform. 

Make sure to use tools like featured tracks, audio messages & campaigns to promote tracks or even shows.