Spotify Link Formats Explained: Track, Album, Artist, Prerelease
A surprising number of promotion problems come down to a single pasted link. The wrong link type, a short link that cannot be read, or a link to a different version of the song can send your effort in the wrong direction. This guide explains every common Spotify link format, how to copy the right one on any device, and why SpotBoost asks for full open.spotify.com links.
The anatomy of a Spotify link
A full Spotify web link has three parts:
- The domain: open.spotify.com
- The content type: a word such as track, album or artist
- The ID: a string of letters and numbers that identifies the specific item
So a track link looks like https://open.spotify.com/track/ID. Some links also include extra parts:
- A language segment, such as /intl-de/, which some browsers add. It points to the same item.
- Tracking parameters after a question mark, such as ?si= followed by a code. These identify the share, not the content. Removing them is fine and keeps the link clean.
Spotify URIs vs web links
You may also come across Spotify URIs, which look like spotify:track:ID. They open items directly in the Spotify app and contain the same type and ID as a web link, but they are not web addresses. For sharing on websites, in emails and for orders, use the https://open.spotify.com/ version.
Every link type and what it is for
| Type | Format | Points to |
|---|---|---|
| Track | open.spotify.com/track/ID | A single song (one specific recording) |
| Album | open.spotify.com/album/ID | An album, EP or single release as a whole |
| Artist | open.spotify.com/artist/ID | An artist profile |
| Playlist | open.spotify.com/playlist/ID | A playlist, whether editorial or user-created |
| Episode | open.spotify.com/episode/ID | A single podcast episode |
| Show | open.spotify.com/show/ID | A podcast show as a whole |
| Prerelease | open.spotify.com/prerelease/ID | An upcoming release before it goes live, used for pre-saves |
| User | open.spotify.com/user/ID | A listener's public profile |
Track vs album: a common mix-up
When you release a single, Spotify creates both an album page (the single release) and a track page (the song inside it). They have different IDs. If you want to promote the song itself, use the track link. If a service works on releases, such as album saves, use the album link.
The same song, different IDs
If a song appears on a single and later on an album or a deluxe edition, each appearance can have its own track ID. Before sharing or ordering anything, make sure you are linking the version you want people to hear. Many artists pick one main version and use that link consistently.
Prerelease links
Before a release goes live, a prerelease link (open.spotify.com/prerelease/ID) lets fans pre-save it. Once the release is out, fans should be sent to the track or album link instead. For more on timing, read our guide to running a pre-save campaign.
Podcast links
Podcasts have two link types. A show link points to the podcast as a whole and is what you use for follows. An episode link points to one episode and is what you use when you want attention on a specific conversation. When promoting a new episode, share the episode link; in your bio and profiles, share the show link.
Why spotify.link short links cause problems
When you share from the Spotify mobile app, you may get a short link on the spotify.link domain instead of a full open.spotify.com URL. These short links are convenient for social posts, but they are redirects: they do not say what type of item they point to or which ID it has until they are opened.
That creates problems for any system that needs to know exactly what it is working with. For that reason, SpotBoost does not accept spotify.link short links. Orders need the full open.spotify.com link, so the service can confirm the link type matches the order and deliver to the right item.
How to copy a full Spotify link
Desktop app
- Right-click the track, album, playlist or artist, or click the three-dot menu.
- Choose Share, then the copy link option.
- Paste it somewhere to check: it should start with https://open.spotify.com/.
Web player
- Open the item in the web player.
- Copy the URL from the browser address bar, or use the Share menu.
- Remove anything after the question mark if you want a clean link.
Mobile app
- Tap the three-dot menu, then Share, then the copy link option.
- If the copied link starts with spotify.link, open it in a browser. It will redirect to the full open.spotify.com page.
- Copy the full URL from the browser address bar.
Common link mistakes
- Sharing the album link for a single when you want streams on the song. It works for listeners, but it is less precise for tracking and for services that expect a track.
- Using an old version of a song after a re-release, remaster or album version replaced it in your promotion plan.
- Posting a prerelease link after release day. Update your bio, posts and ads to the live track or album link.
- Linking a private playlist. Make sure a playlist is public before sharing it or promoting it.
- Pasting links with extra text, such as a song title before the URL, which some forms cannot read.
Link checklist before you share or order
- The link starts with https://open.spotify.com/.
- The type matches your goal: track for a song, album for a release, artist for a profile, playlist for a playlist, episode or show for podcasts, prerelease for pre-saves.
- It points to the version you actually want to promote.
- Tracking parameters are removed (optional, but tidy).
- You opened the link once to confirm it loads the right item.
- For pre-saves, the release has not gone live yet.
Links and SpotBoost services
Each service on SpotBoost expects a specific link type, described on the Services page. As a guide:
- Plays, source plays, saves and playlist adds for a song use a track link.
- Album saves use an album link.
- Monthly listeners use an artist link.
- Followers can use an artist, user, playlist or show link, depending on the service.
- Episode saves use an episode link.
- Pre-saves use a prerelease link before the release date.
If you are not sure which service matches your goal, which Spotify service should you choose walks through the options. For a full walkthrough of placing an order, see how to use SpotBoost step by step.
Key takeaways
- Full Spotify links follow the pattern open.spotify.com/type/ID.
- Track and album links are different, even for a single; pick the one that matches your goal.
- Tracking parameters after the question mark can be removed safely.
- spotify.link short links are redirects and are not accepted for orders; open them in a browser to get the full link.
- Prerelease links are for pre-saves only, before the release is live.
Getting links right takes a minute and saves a lot of frustration. Bookmark this page and check it whenever a new release goes live.