Pre-Save Links vs. Embeddable Pre-Saves: What’s the Difference (and Which Should You Use)?

For independent artists, record labels, and music marketers, the pre-save has become an essential part of any release campaign. But as the music industry evolves, so does the terminology. If you've found yourself using "pre-save," "pre-save link," and "pre-save smartlink" interchangeably, you're not alone. These terms are often used as if they mean the same thing—but they actually refer to different tools and strategies.

In this post, we'll break down the difference between two main types of pre-saves: pre-save links (often called pre-save pages or smartlinks) and embeddable pre-saves. Understanding the distinction can help you make smarter choices about how to promote your next release.

What Is a Pre-Save?

At its core, a pre-save is a marketing tool that allows fans to automatically save your upcoming music on their favorite streaming platform (like Spotify or Apple Music) before it’s released. When the song or album drops, it appears in their library automatically—helping you boost first-day plays and algorithmic visibility.

But how a pre-save is delivered and where it lives makes a big difference in your overall campaign performance.

Option 1: Pre-Save Links and Landing Pages

The most common way to run a pre-save campaign is through a pre-save link—a shareable URL that leads to a landing page designed to collect pre-saves. These are often also referred to as pre-save smartlinks or pre-save pages, and they’ve become the default method for many artists and teams.

✅ Pros of Pre-Save Links:

• Easy to share: You get a single link to post on social media, email newsletters, or SMS campaigns.

• Quick to set up: Most platforms make it simple to create a page and go live in minutes.

• Mobile-friendly: These pages are usually optimized for mobile users, who make up the majority of music fans.

⚠️ Things to Consider:

• Limited customization: Many platforms only allow minimal branding or design changes.

• Siloed traffic: Fans are taken off your website and onto a separate domain, which can splinter your analytics and reduce time spent on your official site.

• Data control: You may not have full access to the data collected on your pre-save page, depending on the platform.

Despite these limitations, pre-save links still play a valuable role—especially when time is short or you're managing a campaign across multiple artists and releases. Platforms like Sonikit offer this option alongside more advanced alternatives.

Option 2: Embeddable Pre-Saves

A newer and more flexible approach is to embed a custom pre-save directly into your existing website. Instead of sending fans to an external page, you add the pre-save functionality to your homepage, bio link, or even your merch or tour page.

This approach is currently only available through a few tools like Sonikit, but it's quickly gaining traction among artists and teams who want more control.

✅ Pros of Embeddable Pre-Saves:

• Keep fans on your site: You own the traffic and can direct fans to explore your merch, tour dates, or mailing list while they pre-save.

• Custom design: Embeds can be fully styled to match your website’s branding.

• Works anywhere: Add pre-saves to platforms like Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Shopify, or a custom-coded site.

• Own your data: Embedded pre-saves let you track conversions and behavior through your existing analytics setup.

⚠️ Things to Consider:

• Setup may require light technical work: While most embeddable pre-saves are simple to install with a copy-paste embed code, some artists may prefer to work with a developer or web manager.

• Less “plug and play” than pre-made landing pages: This method offers more control but requires a bit more planning.

For artists and marketers looking to streamline their fan experience and increase conversion rates, embedding your pre-save directly into a high-traffic area of your site (like the homepage or a release-specific page) can be a game changer.

Which Pre-Save Method Is Right for You?

If you’re launching a campaign quickly or need something simple and shareable, a pre-save link may be the right fit. But if you're thinking long-term—especially about converting casual fans into superfans—an embedded pre-save offers the strategic advantage of keeping fans within your own ecosystem.

Final Thoughts

Pre-saves are more than just a one-click setup—they’re a powerful opportunity to drive early momentum and deepen fan relationships. Whether you use a pre-save link or an embedded pre-save, knowing the difference can help you choose the right approach for your goals.

Sonikit supports both types of pre-saves, giving you the flexibility to choose the right method for your campaign—and even combine both when it makes sense. Want to give it a try? Create a free account and set up your next pre-save in just a few clicks!