Are Spotify Pre-Saves Still Worth It? How Countdown Pages Are Changing the Game
Spotify has launched the Upcoming Releases hub, a powerful new in-app feature where fans can discover and follow music before it’s released. It’s built on top of Countdown Pages, Spotify’s native tool for pre-saves, tracklist previews, teaser content, and real-time release countdowns—all in one seamless experience.
If you’ve ever wondered:
How do Spotify pre-saves work?
Do Spotify pre-saves actually help an artist?
Are Spotify pre-saves still worth it in 2025?
This article breaks it down—and explains why this new system changes everything.
What Were Pre-Saves Like Before?
Before Spotify introduced Countdown Pages, pre-saves required third-party tools. Artists had to use platforms like Feature.fm, ToneDen, or Linkfire to build external pre-save links.
Here’s what that meant for fans:
You had to log into your Spotify account—often inside a browser launched from a social media app
That usually meant retyping your password, since saved credentials weren’t accessible
You had to do this manually for every release
And you were redirected through multiple steps just to complete a pre-save
It was clunky, inconsistent, and—frankly—not enjoyable.
Now, all of that friction is gone.
How Does a Spotify Pre-Save Work Now?
With Countdown Pages, fans can:
Tap a button inside the Spotify app to pre-save an album
Browse tracklists, watch teaser Clips, and check out merch
See a live countdown to release day—all without leaving the platform
It’s cleaner, faster, and designed to convert more fans with less friction. This seamless experience is also why Spotify’s Upcoming Releases hub—which features these Countdown Pages—is a big opportunity for artists.
Where Do Pre-Saves Go on Spotify?
When fans pre-save a release, it’s automatically added to their Liked Songs or library as soon as it drops. This simple interaction helps fuel Spotify’s algorithm, increasing the chances of your music landing on:
Release Radar
Discover Weekly
Home screen recommendations
The more interaction you drive ahead of time, the better your odds of getting surfaced to new listeners.
Do Spotify Pre-Saves Help an Artist?
They can—especially when part of a bigger release strategy.
A strong pre-save campaign can:
Show early demand to Spotify’s algorithm
Give fans a reason to engage before release day
Boost day-one metrics that feed editorial and algorithmic playlists
But it’s not just about quantity. Pre-saves work best when tied to a holistic growth strategy.
How Many Pre-Saves Are Considered “Good”?
There’s no fixed number, but Spotify is now showcasing the Top 10 Global Countdown Pages every Wednesday. These are ranked by total pre-saves—so aiming for the thousands is a solid goal for emerging and mid-tier artists.
To qualify for the Upcoming Releases hub, your release must:
Be an original album (not a single or reissue)
Be supported by a Countdown Page
Come from an artist with at least 5,000 monthly listeners
Are Spotify Pre-Saves Still Worth It in 2025?
Yes—but only if you use them strategically.
Running a pre-save campaign without a bigger plan can lead to one-day spikes that fade fast. Smart artists now pair pre-save tools with long-term fan engagement tactics, like:
Email capture and newsletters
Platform follows and post-release calls-to-action
Fan communities on Discord, Patreon, or text
Countdown Pages are a powerful entry point—but they’re just one part of the funnel.
Want to Make Spotify’s New Features Work for You?
If you’re releasing music and want to use tools like Countdown Pages and the Upcoming Releases hub to grow your audience, EAR can help.
We work with artists to build smart, scalable release campaigns that don’t stop at the stream. Whether you’re new to Spotify tools or ready to take your pre-save game to the next level, we’re here to help you plan, launch, and grow.
Let’s make your next release count. Contact us today to talk strategy.
