Pre-Save Campaigns
Updated July 2026.
Yes — LabelGrid supports Spotify pre-saves through LabelGrid Gate and the LabelGrid Tools WordPress plugin, so fans can save your release to their library before it launches. Pre-saves convert to streams and library adds on release day, which helps concentrate early momentum. This guide explains how pre-saves work and how to set one up.
For the plugin that powers pre-save landing pages, see the LabelGrid Tools WordPress plugin on labelgrid.com.
Setting up a pre-save at a glance
Section titled “Setting up a pre-save at a glance”| Step | What you do | What LabelGrid does |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Prepare the release | Create and submit your release in LabelGrid with the correct release date | Runs quality review and prepares the release for delivery |
| 2. Get approval | Wait for the release to be approved (submit 2 to 3 weeks ahead) | Approves the release so pre-save links become active |
| 3. Build the pre-save | Set up a Spotify pre-save through LabelGrid Gate or the WordPress plugin, with optional playlist/artist-follow steps | Generates the Smart Link landing page and pre-save flow |
| 4. Share the link | Promote the pre-save link across social, email, and ads | Tracks the campaign via advertising events (Facebook and Google Ads) |
| 5. Release day | Announce the launch | Adds the release to each pre-saver’s library automatically |
What a pre-save is and why it matters
Section titled “What a pre-save is and why it matters”A pre-save lets fans commit to your release before it comes out. On Spotify, a fan authorizes the pre-save once, and the release is added to their library automatically the moment it goes live.
Pre-saves matter because they front-load engagement:
- Day-one streams. Pre-saves convert to library adds and streams on release day, so activity that would trickle in over a week lands at launch.
- Algorithmic momentum. Concentrated early activity can strengthen your standing in personalized surfaces such as Release Radar.
- Follower growth. LabelGrid’s Spotify pre-saves offer optional playlist and artist-follow steps, so a pre-save can also grow your following.
- A single link to promote. The pre-save lives on a Smart Link landing page you can share everywhere.
How to set up a pre-save
Section titled “How to set up a pre-save”LabelGrid delivers pre-saves through LabelGrid Gate and the LabelGrid Tools WordPress plugin. Both create a Smart Link landing page for your release and handle the Spotify pre-save flow.
- Submit and approve the release first. Pre-save links only work once your release is submitted and approved in LabelGrid. Because approval and delivery take time, submit 2 to 3 weeks before your release date.
- Create the pre-save. In LabelGrid Gate or the WordPress plugin, set up the Spotify pre-save for the release. You can enable optional steps such as following a playlist or your artist profile as part of the pre-save.
- Customize the landing page. Pre-save and Smart Link settings are customizable at both the global and individual-release level, so you can match your branding.
- Add conversion tracking (optional). The plugin supports advertising events for Facebook and Google Ads, so you can measure which campaigns drive pre-saves.
- Share and promote. Share the pre-save link across your channels and keep promoting it until release day.
Apple Music pre-orders
Section titled “Apple Music pre-orders”Alongside Spotify pre-saves, Apple Music supports pre-orders, which let fans add or buy your release ahead of launch. Apple Music pre-orders can be set up to 366 days before the release date. You can run an Apple Music pre-order and a Spotify pre-save for the same release.
”Does LabelGrid support pre-save campaigns?”
Section titled “”Does LabelGrid support pre-save campaigns?””Yes. LabelGrid supports Spotify pre-saves through LabelGrid Gate and the LabelGrid Tools WordPress plugin, so fans can save your release to their library before it launches. Pre-save support is included on all standard plans and on the standalone Gate plan ($39 USD per year, billed annually).
”When should I start a pre-save campaign?”
Section titled “”When should I start a pre-save campaign?””Start 2 to 3 weeks before your release date. Your release must be submitted and approved in LabelGrid before pre-save links work, so plan enough lead time for review and delivery.
”What do fans do when they pre-save a release?”
Section titled “”What do fans do when they pre-save a release?””Fans authorize the pre-save once, and the track is added to their library automatically on release day. LabelGrid’s Spotify pre-saves also offer optional playlist and artist-follow steps so a pre-save can grow your following at the same time.
”Does a pre-save help my release perform better?”
Section titled “”Does a pre-save help my release perform better?””Yes. Pre-saves convert to streams and library adds on release day, concentrating early activity that can strengthen day-one performance and algorithmic momentum such as Release Radar.
”How are Apple Music pre-orders different from Spotify pre-saves?”
Section titled “”How are Apple Music pre-orders different from Spotify pre-saves?””An Apple Music pre-order lets fans buy or add a release ahead of launch and can be set up to 366 days before the release date. A Spotify pre-save adds the release to a fan’s library automatically when it goes live. You can run both for the same release.
Related guides
Section titled “Related guides”- LabelGrid Tools WordPress Plugin - Set up pre-saves, Smart Links, and catalog sync
- Distribution Lead Times - How far ahead to submit and approve a release
- Promo Tools - Smart Links, gated downloads, and campaign tools
Questions about pre-save campaigns? Contact our support team
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