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How can I block long versions of a track from shipping to streaming platforms like Spotify & Apple Music?
How can I block long versions of a track from shipping to streaming platforms like Spotify & Apple Music?

Learn how to use the "Hide from Streaming Stores" button!

Jason Wohlstadter avatar
Written by Jason Wohlstadter
Updated over a week ago

These days, it's common for electronic music labels to prepare both a short and long version of their tracks. The long version is great for DJs, and the short version is optimized for streaming & playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.

Proton strongly recommends including both the long & short version on Spotify & Apple Music, because die hard fans like the option of having both -- and it's proven having both versions actually increase streams & earnings! That's why major electronic labels like Anjunadeep include both the short & long versions on Spotify.

However, if your music label really wants to hide the long version from Spotify & Apple Music, then you can accomplish this easily by clicking Proton's "Hide from Streaming Stores" button in the "Details & Settings" tab for the specific track BEFORE scheduling a release date.

It's important to note that you must click this button BEFORE scheduling your release. If you don't, the song can't be fully hidden on Spotify unless you actually take down the full release. So make sure to click it ahead of time!

And when you need to hide the short version from going to DJ shops like Beatport, you can accomplish that easily via the Hide from DJ Stores feature!

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Step by Step Guide

  1. Create one release inside Proton, like you would for a normal release.

  2. Upload both short and long versions to the same release.

  3. When uploading the long version, set the name of the mix to "Extended Mix".

  4. When uploading the short version, set the name of the mix to "Original Mix".

  5. On the "Extended Mix" long version, go to the "Details & Settings" tab and then look for the checkbox that says "Hide from Streaming Stores" -- click the box!

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To our knowledge, Proton is the only electronic music distributor that makes it easy for music labels to hide short versions of songs from going to DJ shops like Beatport and long versions of songs going to streaming platforms like Spotify.

At other distributors, you're forced to create 2 separate releases. But at Proton, you can do it easily just via 1 release!

If your electronic music label is not distributed by Proton yet, get in touch, so you can start using this feature too!

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