Spotify Updates Preferred Distributor List
UPDATE: Spotify has refreshed it's official list of preferred distributors and renamed its "Other Preferred" designation. In October, Hypebot broke the news that Spotify was publically ranking distributors based primarily on the quality of the metadata that they delivered with tracks.
In the new listing (pictured above), Spotify has renamed the"Other Preferred" category as "Recommended" and upgraded CD Baby to a "Preferred Artist Distributor." DistroKid, which Spotify invested in last year, retained its "Preferred Artist Distributor" status, and EmuBands remains in the renamed "Recommended" tier.
The Orchard is now alone as a Spotify "Preferred Label Distributor" with FUGA listed as a "Recommended Label Distributor," alongside a newly elevated Believe.
A Spotify spokesperson clarified that the changes are just a retitling; and if anything, should be seen as raising the status of The Orchard, CD Baby and Believe rather than as a demotion of others.
The list of established music distributors who do not have Spotify Preferred or Recommended Distributor status is long. Tunecore, ADA, Caroline, INgrooves, Ditto, OnePRM, Symphonic and RouteNote are all noticeably absent. Each continue to deliver new music to Spotify daily.
Apple Music has added a similar distributor ranking, as well.
"No Collusion"
Just in case anyone might think that Spotify favored DistroKid because of their investment, the streamer added this:
"Our investment in any provider does not affect who is featured on this page, nor does it affect any decisions about how content is treated on Spotify's service.
MORE:
- Spotify Lists Preferred Distributors, Just 5 Make Cut
Apple Rewards 3 'Preferred Plus' Music Distribution Partners With Advanced Features, Analytics
