Prepare the master
Export the final mix as an uncompressed WAV file — the standard is 24-bit / 48kHz. Listen to the file all the way through, from beginning to end, on headphones and on a phone speaker. Check the start and the end for clicks, and don't leave extra silence at either end.
Cover art that passes review
Your cover art travels with the release to every store. The spec is 3000×3000 pixels, RGB. Keep text minimal and readable at thumbnail size, and avoid platform logos, account handles, prices and links — stores reject cover art that carries them.
Metadata and codes
Metadata is how the world finds you: an artist name spelled the same way on every release, the real title with no decoration, and the correct language and genre tags. The codes — ISRC for the recording and UPC for the release — are assigned during preparation; you don't need to buy them anywhere.
Choose the release date
Give yourself room. A date several weeks out leaves space for review, delivery and pitching before day one. Line the date up with anything you control — a video, a show, a run of posts — so the release lands with support behind it rather than alone.
Request your invite
Mazufa works by invitation only. Completed applications enter a human review queue as capacity allows. Submitting does not create an account; those accepted may receive a dedicated preparation invite.
After acceptance
After preparation, your release is packaged to spec and delivered to every platform, and its data is pitched to the appropriate editorial and algorithmic surfaces. From there, watch your dashboard: streams, saves and playlist adds, per platform and per country.
The fingerprint code every recording carries — it tracks streams and earnings worldwide.
Your release barcode — one per single, EP or album.
Digital service provider — Spotify, Apple Music, Anghami and every store on earth.
The question that worries a lot of artists
You recorded your song, uploaded it through a distributor offering a trial period, and started picking up streams on Spotify, Apple Music and others. Then you received a notice that the trial is about to end. What happens now? Does the song disappear? Do you lose your revenue? This article answers these questions directly.
The first fact: the distributor is the one in control, not Spotify
Spotify mostly does not deal with independent artists directly; it receives music from approved distributors. That means any decision to keep your song up or pull it comes from the distributor, not from the platform. When your free trial ends, the distributor has two main options depending on its policy:
- Keeping the song published in return for a paid subscription or a commission on revenue.
- Pulling the song from all platforms if you do not renew or pay.
The second option is common among distributors that run on the annual subscription model.
What does "pulling" actually mean?
When the distributor pulls your song, it sends a takedown request to every platform it is connected to. The process does not always happen immediately; it can take from 24 hours to several days for the song to disappear from search results and playlists. The end result: listeners will not find your song, and you will not receive any new revenue.
The thing worth paying attention to is pending revenue. Some distributors hold earnings that have not yet reached the minimum withdrawal threshold, and you may lose them if you close your account or leave it without renewing. Read the distributor's policy carefully before making any decision.
Possible scenarios by type of distributor
- A distributor on an annual subscription: If you do not renew, it sends a notice and then pulls your distribution after a set grace period. The grace period varies from a week to a month depending on the terms.
- A distributor on a commission on revenue: There is usually no "trial" in the traditional sense; the song stays up as long as the platform is active, and the distributor takes its share of every dollar.
- A distributor offering a limited permanent plan available on its current terms: It may keep a limited number of songs up and ask you to upgrade to add more, without pulling what you have already published.
Practical steps to protect your song before the trial ends
- Read your distributor's terms now: Look for phrases such as "distribution removal" or "what happens after trial" on its FAQ page.
- Keep a copy of all your audio files and metadata: The song title, the UPC, the ISRC, and the cover art at high resolution. You will need this information if you move to another distributor.
- Withdraw your revenue before closing the account: If your balance exceeds the minimum withdrawal threshold, send a payment request immediately.
- Move your distribution instead of waiting for deletion: Most distributors let you move your song to a new distributor using the same ISRC code, which in some cases preserves the streaming statistics and the song's links.
- Tell your audience in advance: If the song is going to disappear for a while during the move, tell your followers so they don't think you deleted it.
Can the song be restored after it has been pulled?
Yes, in most cases. If you renew your subscription or move to a new distributor, you can re-upload the song. But be aware: the old Spotify link may not come back, and the previous streaming statistics may not be recovered if the ISRC code changes. That is why an organised move is recommended over waiting for automatic deletion.
Why choose Mazufa as a sustainable alternative?
Mazufa works on a distribution model with no annual subscription, which means your songs stay published without the pressure of periodic renewal, and your revenue reaches you in full. If you are thinking about moving your distribution, this is a good time to weigh your options.
Summary
Your distributor's free trial ending is not the end of the world, but it calls for quick, organised action. Save your files, withdraw your revenue, and choose a distributor that suits your plans over the long term.