Glossary

What is a DSP in music?

In music, a DSP is a digital service provider: a platform such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, or similar services where listeners stream or access music.

Why DSPs matter

  • They are the main listening platforms for many releases
  • They receive metadata from distributors
  • They influence discovery through playlists, search, and recommendations
  • They require clean release information

Release prep

  • Confirm metadata before delivery
  • Prepare pitch copy where available
  • Track platform-specific campaign needs
FAQs

Common questions

Is Spotify a DSP?

Yes. Spotify is one of the most recognized digital service providers in music.

Do artists upload directly to DSPs?

Most independent artists use a distributor or label delivery system to send music to DSPs.