Glossary / Release

Industry terms

Pre-add

A pre-add is Apple Music's version of a pre-save: a listener adds an upcoming release to their library, and it appears there automatically when it comes out.

Also called: Apple Music pre-add, pre-add link

By Aulto · Last reviewed

How is a pre-add different from a pre-save?

They do the same job on different services. "Pre-save" is used mostly for Spotify and in general; "pre-add" is Apple Music's word.

Who can pre-add?

Apple Music listeners, once the upcoming release is visible on Apple Music. A pre-add campaign only reaches fans who use Apple Music, so most artists pair it with a reminder that works for everyone, like email.

Example

An artist's album appears on Apple Music two weeks early with a pre-add button; fans who tap it find the album in their library on release morning.

Doing it with Aulto

Aulto pre-save pages work for every fan, whichever service they use: they leave their email and get a reminder with your link on release day.

See how it works →

  • Pre-save

    A pre-save lets a fan sign up for a song or album before it comes out, so it reaches them the moment it is released.

  • Smart link

    A smart link is one web address for a release that sends each listener to the streaming app they already use.

  • Cover art

    Cover art is the square image that represents a release on every streaming service, store and smart link page.

  • Drop

    A drop is a release that goes out at a set moment, like a new song, a merch line or a product, announced ahead so people show up at once.

  • Hook

    A hook is the part of a song, or the first seconds of a video, built to grab attention and make people stay.

  • Master recording

    The master recording is the final, released version of a recorded song, and whoever owns it owns the rights to that specific recording.

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