Short version: Unlike other platforms that require you to "log in" with your Spotify account, Indiestar respects your privacy. You access your account via Email or Google, and then simply add your tracks to the dashboard. Adding a track is the key step that unlocks the platform. Paste a Spotify link to unlock Playlist Submissions, or enter data manually for Unreleased Music to use our AI management tools.
The "Add Track" Workflow
Indiestar is designed to be your central command center. To start working, the system needs to know what music you are promoting. We have made this process incredibly simple using our "Fetch" technology. When you first sign up (or when you click "+ Add Track" in the sidebar), you will see two options:
Add a Live Track: Simply paste the Spotify link or search for your song name. Our system uses the public Spotify API to instantly find your track, fetch the artwork, and import the correct metadata (Artist Name, Song Title).
Add a Not-Released Track: If your song isn't out yet, you can manually type in the Title and Artist Name. This creates a workspace for you to prepare your marketing assets before launch.
Why the Spotify Link is Critical
While we do not ask for your Spotify password or account access, providing the Spotify Link for your track is essential for the Promotion Ecosystem.
When you add a valid link, two things happen:
Curator Access: When you submit music, curators need a direct way to listen to and add your song. Your link is the bridge between your dashboard and their playlist.
Verification: The system confirms the track is real and available on streaming services. This unlocks the "Submission" tab in your sidebar.
If you skip adding a link (Unreleased Mode), the Submission tab will remain locked to prevent accidental pitches of music that curators cannot access yet.
Understanding Free Submission Verification
Indiestar offers a "Free Submission" tier where you can pitch music in exchange for following a curator's playlist. Because we don't force you to link your private Spotify account, you might wonder: "How do you know I followed the playlist?"
When you click the "Follow" button in our dashboard, it opens the playlist in Spotify. Our system listens for this interaction and verifies the action via the public API connections we maintain.
Note: Occasionally, if Spotify's servers are slow, this verification might take a moment. If the system "spins" but doesn't confirm immediately, don't worry—we are built to trust our artists. The system will usually grant you the credit if it detects the attempt was made.
Select Your Genre & Upload MP3s
After identifying your track, the next step is Genre Selection. You must select at least one genre (e.g., "Alt Rock," "Trap," "Deep House"). Be accurate here! This tag determines which curators appear in your feed. If you select "Techno" for a Country song, you will be matched with the wrong playlists and likely rejected.
Finally, you have the option to upload an MP3 file.
For Standard Users: This is optional.
For Paid Submissions: This is often required so curators can listen to the track without leaving their review dashboard.