Each major streaming platform has different requirements and re-encoding practices for uploaded audio. Understanding these can help you upload the right file and avoid unnecessary quality loss.
How Streaming Platforms Handle Your Audio
Here's the important thing most people don't realize: nearly all streaming platforms re-encode your audio after you upload it. Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud — they all take your uploaded file and convert it to their own format and bitrate for delivery to listeners. This means your upload quality is a starting point, not the final product.
🎵 Key insight: Uploading at very high quality (320 kbps or lossless) doesn't guarantee listeners hear 320 kbps — but it ensures the platform has the best possible source to work from when creating its streaming versions.
Spotify
Accepted formats: MP3, OGG, AAC, FLAC (for artists uploading through distributors)
Delivery quality: Up to 320 kbps OGG Vorbis (Premium), 160 kbps (Normal), 96 kbps (Low)
Best upload format: WAV or FLAC at 44.1 kHz, or MP3 at 320 kbps minimum. Spotify's internal processing is excellent, and providing lossless source material gives it the best foundation.
YouTube
Accepted formats: MP3, AAC, FLAC, OGG, WAV and more
Delivery quality: 128 kbps AAC for standard, up to 256 kbps for YouTube Music Premium
Best upload format: WAV or FLAC for music; MP3 at 192+ kbps for other content. YouTube re-encodes everything, so start with the highest quality you have.
SoundCloud
Accepted formats: MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, and others
Delivery quality: 128 kbps MP3 (free), 256 kbps AAC (Go+ subscribers)
Best upload format: WAV, FLAC, or AIFF for best results. SoundCloud explicitly recommends lossless source files. Never upload MP3 if you have a higher-quality source.
Apple Music / iTunes Store
Delivery quality: 256 kbps AAC
Submission requirement: Lossless WAV or AIFF through an approved distributor
Apple is strict — they only accept lossless source files from distributors. If you're distributing through DistroKid, TuneCore, or similar, always provide the highest quality file you have.
Podcast Platforms
Podcast platforms are much less strict about format. Most accept MP3, M4A, and sometimes OGG or FLAC. For podcasts, the recommended settings are:
- Format: MP3 (most compatible)
- Bitrate: 128 kbps for mono, 192 kbps for stereo
- Channels: Mono is fine for speech-only content — it halves file size
- Sample rate: 44.1 kHz
General Best Practices for Streaming Uploads
- Always start with the highest quality source file you have
- If possible, upload lossless (WAV/FLAC) rather than MP3
- Use 44.1 kHz sample rate for music; 48 kHz if video is involved
- Normalize your audio to around -14 LUFS to avoid the platform's auto-normalization making things sound worse
- Include proper metadata (title, artist, album art) before uploading
Ready to Convert OGG to MP3?
Use our free online converter — no signup, no software, completely private.
Convert Now — It's Free