While there may be some variance between the DSPs on how they classify your release, they generally follow the same pattern. Apple Music / iTunes will display release classifications as " - Single" or " - EP", full albums however have no specific display. Spotify will show the classifications "Single", "EP", and "Album" above the album title when viewing the full release. The title of the release should not contain "Single" or "EP", the streaming services will make these display adjustments.
Singles
Singles are typically release with one to three tracks, where the each track has a duration of 10 minutes or less and the total running time is 30 minutes or less. Spotify will classify releases made up of one song and several different versions (i.e. instrumental, radio edit or several remixes) as Single releases.
EPs
An EP (short for Extended Play) contains more tracks than a single, but less tracks than a full album. If a release has four to six tracks with a total running time of 30 minutes or less, it will be classified as an EP by both Apple Music and Spotify. Additionally, a release with one to three tracks, in which one of them is 10 minutes or longer and the total running time is more than 30 minutes, it will be labelled an EP.
Albums
If a release has seven or more tracks OR has a total running time over 30 minutes, it will be displayed as an album.
We may adjust this article as we expand our list of offered streaming services.