The original release date metadata has specific, content-type-dependent rules on both platforms, and getting it wrong is a common but avoidable error — especially for reissues and remasters.
2.29.1 The core principle
Apple's standard: deliver the release date of the original issue, digitally or physically, regardless of version or territory of origin. For releases after the year 2000, deliver to the day/month/year level. For deep catalog content before 2000, deliver to whatever precision is actually known.
2.29.2 Rules by content type (Apple)
2.29.3 Spotify's equivalent rule
Spotify's documentation independently confirms: the original release date must be the earliest date the original product was first released, regardless of releasing label or format (LP, CD, digital). For remasters specifically, Spotify's rule matches Apple's exactly — the original release date is the first date the original recording was available, not the remaster's release date. The remaster year itself goes in the version field, formatted as "20XX Remaster".
2.29.4 Why this matters beyond compliance
An incorrect original release date can misrepresent a catalog's history on both platforms and may trigger Apple's editorial correction process (Section 1.3, see 2.30) if the date is found to be inaccurate.
Source: MadDesk article 2.29 (2-29)