In today's world of digital music, it is no longer enough to have talent or a good single. Today, visibility depends largely on the algorithmThe artificial intelligence that decides which songs appear in recommendations, playlists and searches.
And one of the most important (and least clearly answered) questions that independent artists ask themselves is:
"How often should I release music to grow?"
The answer is not just a number. It is a strategy.
Why the frequency of launches matters
Every time you release a song, platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music activate certain behaviours:
- Your followers receive a notification.
- You can appear in automatic playlists such as Release Radar o Friday News.
- Your relevance cycle within the algorithm is reset.
In other words, every launch is an opportunity to activate your audience and the platforms' discovery system..
What does the algorithm say?
Although not all the technical details are known, it is known that constant activity is rewarded. An active profile with regular releases:
- It is more likely to appear in recommendations.
- Gain traction faster with each new track.
- It keeps your audience engaged and waiting for the next thing.
Spotify, for example, recommends that artists keep their catalogue on the move with launches every 4 to 6 weeks if they want to maintain visibility.
So... How many songs should you release per year?
Here they go three frequency modelsaccording to your production capacity and your objectives:
🔹 1. Basic model: 4-6 songs per year
Ideal if:
- You are just starting out and are not yet producing regularly.
- You want to focus on the quality and promotion of each single.
- You can accompany each song with visual content, reels, pre-save campaigns, etc.
Council: groups 2-3 of these songs together on an EP after releasing them individually to re-release them as a block.
🔹 2. Strategic model: 8-12 songs per year
Ideal if:
- You already have an active music workflow.
- You can plan a single monthly or every 45 days.
- You are building community and growing platforms.
Advantage: the algorithm will recognise you as a constant artist, and you will be regularly present on the news radar.
🔹 3. Advanced model (accelerated growth): 15-20 songs per year
Ideal if:
- You have a lot of material ready or constant collaborations.
- You want to dominate the algorithm and be present all the time.
- You aim to grow fast in monthly listeners and editorial visibility.
Careful: it's not about releasing for the sake of releasing. Every song must have a minimum of planning and promotion, or you can "burn" your catalogue with no real impact.
Catalogue strategy: think long term
A active and organised music catalogue is not only key to the algorithm. It is also:
- Generate passive income constant (streaming, synchronisation, third-party content).
- It allows you to reuse music in campaigns, licences or compilations.
- Give credibility to your project (more songs = more digital presence).
Example: An artist with 3 albums and 20 singles has a much better chance of monetising than someone with only 2 songs released, even if they are very good.
How to maintain a steady stream of pitches without exhausting yourself
- Plan a calendar of launches per quarter.
- Alternating singles with collaborationsremixes or acoustic versions.
- Use a digital distributor that allows you to schedule and manage releases easily.
- Recycle contentA good single can have multiple versions (instrumental, acoustic, live, etc.).
Conclusion
There is no "magic" number, but there is a rule:
The more consistent you are, the easier it will be to grow.
Releasing music with a strategic frequency (not too much, not too little) gives you clear advantages over the algorithm and over the listener's attention. As an independent artist, planning your catalogue with a 6 or 12 month vision can be the secret weapon that many still don't use.
