Spotify is king when it comes to music discovery and artist growth. But with thousands of new songs being added every day, how can you make sure your music stands out and gets noticed by Spotify playlist curators? Look no further – this ultimate guide will show you exactly how to submit your music to Spotify playlists and increase your chances of getting discovered.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of submitting your music to Spotify playlists. From understanding the different types of playlists to crafting the perfect pitch, we will cover everything you need to know to make a lasting impression on playlist curators (or if ya lucky, even the editorial team)
Whether you are an up-and-coming artist or an established musician looking to reach new audiences, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to effectively promote your music on Spotify.
Let’s dive in and unlock the secrets to getting your music noticed on Spotify playlists.
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Understanding the Importance of Spotify Playlists
A Spotify playlist is a collection of songs curated in a sequential format, providing listeners with a pre-set musical journey. Whether you’re a fan looking for new music or an artist seeking exposure, playlists serve as a pivotal component within Spotify’s ecosystem. There are three main types of Spotify playlists: editorial playlists, algorithmic playlists, and listener playlists.
With over 551 million active users worldwide, Spotify playlists have become a driving force in the modern music marketing plan, providing artists with new opportunities to get their music noticed and reach a wider audience.
Each type of playlist serves a unique purpose and offers different opportunities for artists.
For example, an editorial playlist might feature the latest hits in a specific genre, providing a platform for established and emerging artists.
Algorithmic playlists, on the other hand, use data to cater to individual listener’s tastes, exposing them to artists they might like.
User-generated playlists often revolve around specific themes or moods, allowing artists to reach listeners in various contexts.
Understanding the 3 Types of Spotify Playlists
Spotify Editorial Playlists
Editorial playlists boast large followings and are often genre-specific or context-driven. For instance, the ‘RapCaviar’ playlist features the latest and greatest in rap music, while ‘Chill Hits’ is ideal for listeners looking for laid-back tunes. Getting featured on an editorial playlist can provide a significant boost to your visibility and streams, as these playlists are often the go-to for many listeners looking for new music. Playlists such as New Music Friday can add “legitimacy” to an artist as well, signaling to listeners and industry peeps that their music is worth listening to.
To get your music featured on an editorial playlist, you need to use the ‘Spotify for Artists’ platform. This platform allows you to pitch your new releases directly to Spotify’s editorial team.
When pitching, it’s crucial to align your music with the style and theme of the playlist you’re targeting. For example, if you’re pitching to a playlist that focuses on upbeat dance tracks, you’d want to highlight the energetic and catchy elements of your song.
You can learn how to craft the perfect Spotify editorial pitch in our guide here.
Spotify Algorithmic Playlists
Spotify’s algorithmic playlists, such as Discover Weekly and Release Radar, are generated automatically based on listeners’ habits and preferences. These playlists make use of Spotify’s advanced data analysis to provide a personalized listening experience. For example, Discover Weekly introduces listeners to new music based on their listening history, while Release Radar showcases new releases from artists they follow.
These algorithm-driven playlists hold immense potential for artists. Unlike human-curated playlists, the algorithm is capable of analyzing the listening habits of each Spotify user, making its recommendations highly targeted. Therefore, getting featured on algorithmic playlists can enhance your reach, helping you connect with listeners who are likely to appreciate your music.
To increase your chances of being added to Discover Weekly or Radio, you need to drive relevant traffic to your Spotify. When a listener adds your song to their personal playlist or follows your artist profile, it sends a signal to the algorithm that your music is resonating with listeners. Over time, these signals can influence the algorithm, potentially leading to appearances on Discover Weekly or Radio, which can significantly boost your visibility on the platform.
Listener / Curator Playlists
Lastly, we have user-generated playlists, which are created by Spotify users themselves. These playlists can revolve around various themes, moods, genres, or personal preferences, and they can attract a substantial number of followers and listeners. For example, a user might create a playlist of their favourite workout songs or a compilation of tracks to unwind to after a long day.
To get on user-generated playlists, you simply just need volume; the more people that check out your music, the more likely they’ll add you to their personal playlist.
However, to get on “curator” user-generated playlists, you can manually reach out to them or use a playlisting tool/service to reach out to curators.
When reaching out, aim to build a genuine connection. Explain why your music would be a great fit for their playlist, and show appreciation for their curation. With a personalized approach and a bit of persistence, you can increase your chances of being added to these personal playlists, leading to more streams and new fans.
However be weary of scams or fake listeners on playlists if you are paying to be added to them (more on this later).
How Can Spotify Playlists Help Artists Grow?
Being on Spotify playlists, whether editorial, algorithmic, or listener-curated, can have various benefits for artists.
Firstly, getting on major playlists can lead to increased follower count, wider audience reach, and industry recognition. Spotify editorial playlists, like New Music Friday, can add “legitimacy” to an artist, as listeners see their music featured alongside other popular artists.
Algorithmic playlists, such as Discover Weekly, expose your music to listeners who have similar listening habits, increasing the chances of building a wider audience.
Listener/curator playlists (or curating your own playlists) can also help expand your network and also get more streams (for example, create a genre specific playlist, get a bunch of artists in your niche to agree to help market it to their fans – and boom you have a new marketing strategy and way to get more listeners through networking).
How to Effectively Pitch Your Music to Playlist Curators
Pitching your music to playlist curators is an important step in getting your music on Spotify playlists. Here are some tips to effectively pitch your music to playlist curators:
- Research playlist curators who curate playlists that align with your music genre. This increases your chances of getting playlisted on Spotify.
- Personalize your pitch to playlist curators, mentioning specific playlists and showing genuine interest in their curation style. This makes your pitch stand out.
- Provide important information such as release dates, social media highlights, and a streamable link to your track to help playlist curators make an informed decision about playlisting your music.
- Follow playlist curators on social media platforms, engage with their content, and build relationships to increase your chances of getting playlisted on Spotify.
- Utilize platforms like Groover, Submithub, or pitch directly through emails to get your music in front of playlist curators.
If you want more tips on how to pitch your music to playlists (and even blogs) read our full guide here.
How to Effectively Pitch Your Music to Spotify Editorial Team
Pitching your music to the Spotify editorial team can be a great way to get on Spotify editorial playlists, which have a wider audience reach.
Here are some tips to effectively pitch your music to the Spotify editorial team:
- Provide concise and engaging promo info, including release date, artist profile, streaming platforms, music overview, and tour dates. Make your pitch compelling to Spotify editorial team members.
- Build relationships with Spotify editorial team members, curators, or playlisting industry professionals to enhance your chances of getting playlisted on Spotify editorial playlists.
If you want more tips on how to pitch your music and contact Spotify editors, read our full guide here.
Handling Playlist Rejection
It’s important to remember that not every submission will result in a placement.
Rejections are a normal part of the process, and it’s crucial not to get discouraged. Each rejection can be a learning opportunity, providing valuable insights that can guide your future submissions.
If your music is not added to a playlist, take the time to analyze the feedback, if any, and understand the reasons behind the rejection. Maybe your music wasn’t a good fit for the playlist, or maybe your pitch could have been more compelling. Use these findings to improve your music and refine your approach for future submissions.
Avoiding Playlist Scams
While striving to get your music on Spotify playlists, it’s important to be aware of potential scams and fraudulent practices. Some services may promise guaranteed playlist placements in exchange for a fee. However, these practices can be risky and may not result in genuine engagement or organic growth. It’s essential to remember that authentic growth comes from connecting with real listeners who genuinely appreciate your music.
With simpl. you can be assured of legitimate services that prioritize the organic growth of your fanbase and streams. We follow ethical marketing practices and work towards achieving real, meaningful results for artists. Therefore, as you navigate your Spotify journey, remember to make informed decisions and steer clear of shortcuts that seem too good to be true.
The Issue With Third Party Playlists
Let’s make something clear – Spotify playlist listeners are what we refer to as passive listeners here at simpl.
We cover this concept in our music promotion trends blog post, but Patrick Middleton over on LinkedIn put it best:
Top 5 Playlisting Services
At simpl. we don’t recommend paying to get onto playlists (I mean, straight up paying X amount of dollars for a placement is against Spotify terms and conditions) but if you’re looking to get on Spotify playlists, there are playlisting services available to assist you.
Just please.. proceed with caution, and at any moment if you see something sketchy happening on your Spotify for Artists data, stop paying for the service and explore other marketing channels (organic social marketing, paid ads, etc)
Here are the top 5 playlisting services:
- My Sphera – offers playlist pitching to Spotify playlists at a very affordable starting point of $19.99
- Groover – a great SubmitHub alternative that allows you to submit music to a wide range of playlist curators, blogs, and radio stations
- Boost Collective – a great PlaylistPush alternative that specializes in playlist pitching, artist promo, and playlist curation on major streaming platforms.
- Daily Playlists – offers playlist pitching to Spotify playlists for free; they do have a pro plan, but free is enough tbh
- Indie Mono – this is more of a curator vs a service, but their playlists are pretty reputable and active!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is playlisting a scam?
No, playlisting is not a scam. Triggering algorithmic playlists or getting on editorial playlists can be an effective way to reach new listeners, increase streams, and gain industry recognition. However, if pitching direct or using a service to get on third party playlists, it is important to choose reputable playlist curators to avoid paying for fake streams or followers.
Should I use spotify playlisting services?
Using spotify playlisting services can be beneficial for increasing your music’s visibility and reaching a wider audience. It can help you gain more followers and streams on Spotify. However, it’s important to research and choose reputable and trustworthy services, as some may use fake followers.
What is the benefit of spotify playlists for artists?
Spotify playlists offer numerous benefits for artists. They can increase exposure to new listeners, leading to more streams and (eventually) revenue. Algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly help artists connect with fans who may not have discovered them otherwise.
Spotify playlists play a role in music promotion and can significantly help artists grow their audience and increase their streams. Understanding the different types of playlists available, such as Spotify Editorial Playlists, Algorithmic Playlists, and Listener Playlists, will give you an edge in utilizing them effectively.
While there are reputable playlisting services available, it’s essential to do thorough research before deciding to use them.
Overall, Spotify playlists provide a valuable platform for artists to connect with a wider audience.
If you’re looking for guidance on Spotify playlist strategies or music promotion in general, feel free to get in touch with simpl. music marketing below.
