The song was released in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2013 as a digital download through Sony Music Entertainment.

[1] Maximum Pop said "'Little Nikki Says' is bursting with energy and raw talent, just like the UK starlett herself.

It's got Little Nikki's usual edgy vibe with a chorus to die for.

",[2] while Lewis Corner of Digital Spy was less positive, saying "'Little Nikki Says' suffers from a tough case of hit and miss.

"Little Nikki says, put your hands up, up, up, up, high/ Little Nikki says, take your hands down, down, round, down, low," she declares on a highly addictive chorus that is unfortunately sandwiched between clunky verses and whirring electronics that feel slightly disjointed.