What Happens to Your Song on Spotify When the Distributor's Free Trial Ends?

The Question That Worries Many Artists

You recorded your song, uploaded it through a distributor offering a free trial, and started receiving streams on Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond. Then you got a notification that your free trial is about to end. What happens now? Will your song disappear? Will you lose your earnings? This article answers those questions directly.

The First Truth: The Distributor Is in Control, Not Spotify

Spotify generally does not deal directly with independent artists — it receives music from approved distributors. This means any decision to keep or remove your song comes from the distributor, not the platform. When your free trial ends, the distributor typically faces two main options depending on its policy:

• Keep the song live in exchange for a paid subscription or a revenue commission.
• Remove the song from all platforms if you do not renew or pay.

The second option is common among distributors that operate on an annual subscription model.

What Does "Removal" Actually Mean?

When a distributor removes your song, it sends a deletion request to all connected platforms. The process does not always happen instantly — it can take anywhere from 24 hours to several days before the song disappears from search results and playlists. The end result: listeners will no longer find your song, and you will stop receiving any new revenue.

One thing worth paying close attention to is pending earnings. Some distributors hold onto revenue that has not yet reached the minimum withdrawal threshold, and you may lose it if you close your account or leave it without renewing. Read your distributor's policy carefully before making any decisions.

Likely Scenarios Depending on Your Distributor Type

• Annual subscription distributor: If you do not renew, they send a notice and then remove your distribution after a set grace period. That period can range from one week to a full month depending on the terms.
• Revenue commission distributor: There is generally no "trial" in the traditional sense. Your song stays live as long as the platform is active, and the distributor takes its cut from every dollar earned.
• Distributor with a limited permanent free plan: They may keep a set number of songs live for free 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 right now: Look for phrases like "distribution removal" or "what happens after trial" in their FAQ section.
• Save copies of all your audio files and metadata: Song title, UPC, ISRC, and your cover art in high resolution. You will need all of this if you move to a new distributor.
• Withdraw your earnings before closing the account: If your balance exceeds the minimum withdrawal threshold, submit a payment request immediately.
• Transfer your distribution instead of waiting for deletion: Most distributors allow you to move your song to a new distributor using the same ISRC code, which in some cases preserves your stream counts and song links.
• Give your audience a heads up: If your song will be temporarily unavailable during the transfer process, let your followers know so they do not think you deleted it intentionally.

Can You Get Your Song Back After It Has Been Removed?

Yes, in most cases. If you renew your subscription or move to a new distributor, you can re-upload the song. However, keep in mind that the original Spotify link may not be restored, and your previous stream counts may not carry over if the ISRC code changes. This is exactly why a planned transfer is always recommended over waiting for an automatic removal.

Why Choose Mazufa as a Sustainable Alternative?

Mazufa operates on a free distribution model with no annual subscription, which means your songs stay live without the pressure of periodic renewals, and your earnings come to you in full. If you are considering transferring your distribution, now is a good time to evaluate your options.

Final Takeaway

Your distributor's free trial coming to an end is not the end of the world, but it does call for quick and organized action. Save your files, withdraw your earnings, and choose a distributor that fits your long-term plans.