Pre-saves signal demand to Spotify before your track even drops. Here's how to set up, promote, and maximize pre-save campaigns for every release.
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See PricingPre-save campaigns have become one of the most important tools in a modern music release strategy, yet most independent artists either skip them entirely or set one up without any real plan to promote it. A well-executed pre-save campaign can determine whether your track launches with algorithmic momentum or drops into silence. Here's the complete playbook — from understanding why pre-saves matter to setting up your page and driving the numbers that make release day count.
A Spotify pre-save allows listeners to save your upcoming release to their library before it's available. When the track goes live on release day, it automatically appears in their Saved Songs library — and in many cases, triggers a Release Radar placement and a push notification. The listener doesn't have to remember to check for your release; it's already there waiting for them.
The mechanics involve OAuth authentication — when a listener clicks your pre-save link, they authorize a third-party service (like DistroKid, Feature.fm, or ToneDen) to add the track to their library on their behalf once it's released. Some pre-save services also offer the option to auto-follow the artist on Spotify as part of the pre-save action, which doubles the value of each conversion.
Pre-saves are functionally equivalent to Day 1 library saves — and Day 1 saves are among the most powerful signals you can send to Spotify's algorithm. When a track accumulates a significant number of saves within its first 24 hours, the algorithm interprets this as strong demand and responds by expanding the track's reach through Discover Weekly, Radio, and other algorithmic placements. This initial signal can set the trajectory for your entire release.
Spotify's algorithm evaluates new releases most aggressively during their first 24 to 72 hours. This evaluation window determines how widely the track will be recommended in the following weeks. A track that generates 500 saves on Day 1 with a 5% save-to-stream ratio will receive dramatically different algorithmic treatment than a track that generates 50 saves with a 1% ratio.
Pre-saves are the most reliable way to front-load these Day 1 signals because the action has already been committed before the track drops. Unlike asking fans to stream on release day — which depends on them seeing your post, remembering to act, and actually following through — pre-saves convert intent into action automatically. The listener made their decision days or weeks ago; the system handles the rest.
Consider the compounding effect: pre-saves generate Day 1 library additions, which trigger Release Radar appearances, which drive Day 1 streams from followers, which generate engagement data, which inform the algorithm's decision about whether to expand your track's reach. Every pre-save sets this entire chain in motion simultaneously.
Several platforms offer pre-save page creation, each with different features and pricing. Here are the three most widely used options:
DistroKid HyperFollow: If you distribute through DistroKid, HyperFollow pages are included free with your subscription. When you upload a release, DistroKid automatically generates a smart link page that includes pre-save functionality for Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. The page also converts to a streaming link once the track is released, so you only need one URL for your entire campaign. The limitation is that customization options are relatively basic compared to dedicated landing page tools.
Feature.fm: Feature.fm offers more robust pre-save pages with deeper customization, retargeting pixels, and analytics. Their free tier covers basic pre-save functionality, while paid plans add features like email collection, A/B testing, and custom domains. Feature.fm's standout advantage is their analytics dashboard, which shows you exactly how many pre-saves you've collected and where the traffic is coming from.
ToneDen: ToneDen specializes in pre-save campaigns with built-in social media advertising integration. Their platform lets you create pre-save pages and run Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns promoting them from a single dashboard. This is particularly useful if you plan to invest in paid social media promotion to drive pre-saves. ToneDen also supports email collection and automated follow-up messaging.
Whichever platform you choose, the setup process follows the same general steps:
Setting up the page is the easy part. The real challenge is driving enough traffic to that page to generate meaningful pre-save numbers. Here are the tactics that consistently perform best:
Social media teaser content: Start promoting your pre-save link three to four weeks before release. Share short audio snippets, behind-the-scenes content, cover art reveals, and countdowns — each one directing followers to the pre-save link. The key is consistency. A single post about your pre-save will reach a fraction of your audience. Posting three to four times per week across platforms compounds your reach.
Instagram Stories and Reels: Stories with swipe-up links (or link stickers) convert well because the action is frictionless — one swipe takes the listener directly to the pre-save page. Reels work better for awareness, reaching non-followers who might discover you through the algorithm. Use both: Reels for reach, Stories for conversion.
TikTok: Post multiple TikToks featuring different snippets of the track. Include a call to action directing viewers to the pre-save link in your bio. TikTok's algorithm can push content to massive audiences, and even a modest viral moment can drive hundreds of pre-saves if the call to action is clear.
Email list: If you have a mailing list, this is one of the highest-converting channels for pre-saves. Your email subscribers are your most engaged fans — they signed up because they want to hear from you. Send a dedicated pre-save email with a clear, prominent call to action. Follow up with a reminder email one week before release.
Direct messages and personal outreach: For artists with smaller but highly engaged audiences, personal DMs and messages can be surprisingly effective. A direct message to your most active fans asking them to pre-save feels personal and generates high conversion rates. This doesn't scale to thousands of people, but for artists building from the ground up, 50 to 100 pre-saves from personal outreach can make a meaningful difference.
Cross-promotion with other artists: Partner with artists in your genre to cross-promote each other's pre-saves. This works best when you have a genuine relationship and overlapping audiences. A story share or post from a peer artist introduces your music to their followers at zero cost.
The most effective release strategies layer pre-save campaigns with paid promotion to create a one-two punch on release day. Here's how this works in practice:
During the pre-release phase (weeks 2 to 4 before drop), your focus is on driving pre-saves through organic and paid social media. Every pre-save you collect is a guaranteed Day 1 save. Then, starting on release day, you activate a paid Spotify promotion campaign that drives additional streams during the critical first 72 hours. The combination of pre-save-driven Day 1 saves plus promotion-driven Day 1 streams creates a surge of engagement data that significantly increases your chances of triggering algorithmic expansion.
The timing matters. Place your promotion order at least a week before release so delivery can be coordinated to begin on release day. You want the pre-save saves and the promotion streams to land in the same window, compounding the signals the algorithm receives.
This combined approach is particularly effective because pre-saves and promotion target different audience segments. Pre-saves come from your existing audience — people who already know and care about your music. Promotion reaches new listeners who haven't heard you before. Together, they demonstrate both existing demand and new discovery potential, which is exactly the signal profile that triggers algorithmic amplification.
Pre-save targets vary dramatically based on your current audience size, but here are general benchmarks to aim for:
Don't be discouraged if your numbers are below these benchmarks — any pre-saves are better than none. The goal is to build your pre-save numbers with each successive release, creating a growth trend that compounds over time.
For a quick reference, here's the ideal pre-save campaign timeline:
Pre-save campaigns are one of the highest-leverage activities in your release strategy. They require no budget (just time), they front-load the most important metric signals, and they compound in effectiveness as your audience grows. For the complete picture of how pre-saves fit into a full release plan, read our guide on the perfect Spotify release strategy for 2026. Every release deserves a pre-save campaign. Start building yours today.