How to Get Your Music on Spotify Playlists
One of the best ways to get your music heard these days is by playlist promotion. If you can get your song on a Spotify playlist that reaches your target audience, you will be able to expand your fan base like never before.
Quick Summary
To gain visibility in the music industry, artists must focus on playlist promotion on platforms like Spotify. Establishing a unique and professional brand is essential, as is engaging existing fans to listen on Spotify. Utilizing Spotify for Artists grants verification and access to valuable data. Building relationships with music bloggers and smaller playlist curators enhances credibility, while hiring a PR firm can facilitate a more effective approach to playlist promotion.
While having music on Spotify playlists will help you to gain attention in the industry, there are some simple tasks you can do alongside playlisting to add more credibility to your brand and music. Below are some tips on how to get your music onto Spotify playlists.
Create a Unique and Professional Brand
Everything you do to promote your music starts first and foremost with your brand. If you don’t have a unique brand that offers something new and interesting, all the promotion efforts in the world will not acquire the success you want. You can read more here on The Importance of Being Branded.
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To create a brand, you’ll need to start with the purpose. Your brand purpose is why you became an artist, it’s the reason you chose music over any other interests in your life. Be open about your story or your journey as an artist, this will not only create an authentic layer of uniqueness to your brand, but it will help your audience better connect to you.
So, before you start anything else, ensure that your brand is ready to go and that it is consistent across your website, social media pages, etc.
Bring Your Current Fanbase to Spotify
The next step to take is ensuring that your current fanbase is listening to your music on Spotify. Provide links to your Spotify page on your other social pages, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Create stories or posts about upcoming releases on Spotify or encourage your followers to follow you on Spotify.
The number of plays, skips, and play duration all go into curators’ decisions. Spotify has an algorithm that rewards artists who put in a lot of time and effort, so the more you do to bring new listeners to Spotify, the better. Here are 5 Spotify Tips and Tricks to Boosting your Listener Numbers.
Join Spotify For Artists
By signing up for Spotify for Artists, you will get instant verification, which will add to your credibility. Plus, you will have access to data and analytics so that you can notice trends of what is working and what is not.
Spotify also provides lots of advice on how to build your artist profile, adding to your bio, gallery, concert information, and even display top merchandise. The more you add to your profile, the more your fans will have to connect to and enjoy from you. If you are looking for more information on how to improve your artist profile on Spotify, check out their video series, The Game Plan.
Connect With Key Music Bloggers and Playlist Curators
When it comes to any kind of music promotion, bloggers are your best friends. If you can build credibility by getting reviews on notable music blogs, you will have much more to show when you campaign to get your music on playlists.
When pitching to playlist curators, try starting small. Curators who have hundreds of thousands of listeners are much harder to reach until you have gained some momentum. Getting on smaller blogs or playlists first will help you to gradually build traction, but keep in mind it will take time. Few, if any artists, actually “make it big” overnight. If you have lots of exposure on smaller blogs and playlists first, it will increase your credibility with slightly larger curators. You can continue this process to increase your exposure.
Hire a PR Firm
Playlist promotion is a lot of time and work. It is certainly possible to be successful on your own, but the best results are going to come from a professional. Professionals often have years, if not decades, of experience in the industry and they’re likely to have a solid network of people in the industry, including playlisters.
If you’re uncertain about starting this process on your own, it might be best to hire a PR firm to guide your journey in getting onto Spotify playlists.
Understanding Different Types of Spotify Playlists and Their Requirements
Not all Spotify playlists are created equal, and understanding the different types can significantly improve your chances of playlist placement. Spotify's ecosystem consists of three main playlist categories: Editorial playlists (curated by Spotify's internal team), Algorithmic playlists (automatically generated based on user behavior), and User-Generated playlists (created by independent curators, influencers, or regular users). Editorial playlists like 'New Music Friday' or 'RapCaviar' offer the highest exposure potential, often featuring millions of followers, but they're also the most competitive and selective.
Algorithmic playlists such as 'Discover Weekly' and 'Release Radar' are generated based on Spotify's machine learning algorithms that analyze listening patterns, song characteristics, and user preferences. While you can't directly pitch to these playlists, you can optimize your chances of inclusion by encouraging high engagement rates, complete song plays, and saves from your existing audience. Focus on release timing, genre tagging accuracy, and maintaining consistent streaming momentum in the first 24-48 hours after release.
User-generated playlists represent the most accessible entry point for emerging artists. These range from micro-influencer playlists with a few hundred followers to major independent curator playlists with hundreds of thousands of followers. Research playlist curators in your genre by examining their submission requirements, update frequency, and audience demographics. Many curators prefer specific genres, moods, or even geographic regions, so tailoring your approach to match their playlist's theme and aesthetic significantly increases your acceptance chances.
Optimizing Your Music Release Strategy for Maximum Playlist Consideration
Timing and preparation are crucial elements that many artists overlook when seeking playlist placement. Submit your music to Spotify's editorial team through Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before your release date, but ideally 2-4 weeks in advance. This submission window allows Spotify's curators sufficient time to review your track and potentially include it in their editorial playlists. Include detailed information about your song's mood, genre, instruments used, and the story behind the track to help curators understand where it might fit best.
Your release strategy should also consider seasonal trends, cultural moments, and playlist refresh cycles. Many playlists update on specific days of the week, with Friday being the most common due to Spotify's 'New Music Friday' culture. Research when your target playlists typically update and plan your outreach accordingly. Additionally, consider creating multiple versions or remixes of your track to appeal to different playlist themes – an acoustic version for chill playlists and an extended mix for workout playlists, for example.
Pre-release buzz generation is equally important for playlist consideration. Start building anticipation 4-6 weeks before your release through social media teasers, behind-the-scenes content, and email marketing to your fan base. Curators often look for tracks that already show signs of organic growth and engagement. Consider releasing a short snippet on TikTok or Instagram Reels to gauge audience reaction and create viral potential that playlist curators will notice.
Crafting Effective Playlist Pitch Emails and Building Curator Relationships
The art of pitching to playlist curators requires a personalized, professional approach that demonstrates you've done your homework. Start by thoroughly researching each playlist you're targeting – listen to recent additions, understand the mood and energy level, and note the typical artist profiles featured. Your pitch email should be concise (under 150 words), include a compelling subject line with your song title and genre, and immediately explain why your track fits their specific playlist. Avoid generic mass emails, as experienced curators can spot them instantly and are less likely to respond positively.
Include essential information in your pitch: a brief artist bio highlighting relevant achievements, streaming numbers from previous releases, any press coverage or blog features, and most importantly, a private SoundCloud or Spotify link for easy preview access. Mention specific songs currently on their playlist that share similar vibes with your track to demonstrate playlist familiarity. Professional presentation matters – use a clear email signature, proper grammar, and maintain a respectful tone even if you don't receive immediate responses.
Building long-term relationships with curators extends beyond single song pitches. Follow their playlists, engage with their social media content genuinely, and consider their feedback for future releases. Many successful artists maintain ongoing relationships with curators by sharing new music exclusively before public release, offering to create custom content for playlist promotion, or even collaborating on playlist themes. Remember that curators receive hundreds of submissions weekly, so patience and persistence, combined with continuous improvement in your music quality and presentation, will eventually yield results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I submit my music to Spotify playlists for free?
Submit your music to Spotify playlists for free by using Spotify for Artists' playlist submission tool. Upload your track at least 7 days before release, then pitch it directly to Spotify's editorial team through the platform. Additionally, research independent playlist curators on social media, music blogs, and submission websites like SubmitHub. Start with smaller playlists (1,000-10,000 followers) to build momentum before targeting larger curators.
What information should I include when pitching to playlist curators?
When pitching to playlist curators, include your track's genre, mood, and BPM, along with a compelling artist bio and story. Mention any press coverage, streaming milestones, or notable achievements. Provide high-quality promotional materials like professional photos and album artwork. Keep your pitch concise, personalized to the specific playlist, and explain why your song fits their audience. Always include direct Spotify links and maintain a professional, respectful tone.
How long does it take to get on Spotify playlists?
Getting on Spotify playlists typically takes 2-6 months of consistent effort, though timeline varies greatly. Spotify's editorial playlists require submission 7+ days before release with no guarantee of placement. Independent playlist placements can happen within days to weeks depending on the curator's response time. Building relationships with curators and gaining momentum through smaller playlists first usually accelerates the process for larger playlist opportunities.
What are the best websites to find Spotify playlist curators?
The best websites to find Spotify playlist curators include SubmitHub, Playlist Push, and PlaylistMap for paid submissions. For free options, use Chartmetric, Playlists.net, and social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter where curators actively promote their playlists. Research music blogs in your genre, as many bloggers also curate playlists. Always verify playlist authenticity by checking follower engagement and recent activity before submitting.
How many streams do you need to get on Spotify playlists?
There's no specific stream count required for Spotify playlist placement, but having 1,000-10,000 monthly listeners demonstrates initial traction to curators. More important than total streams are engagement metrics like save rates, playlist adds, and completion rates. Focus on building organic listeners through social media, live performances, and consistent releases. Curators prioritize songs with strong engagement over raw stream numbers, so quality audience interaction matters most.
Should I pay for Spotify playlist placement services?
Legitimate playlist placement services like SubmitHub, Playlist Push, and established PR firms can be worthwhile investments, typically costing $50-500+ depending on reach. However, avoid services guaranteeing specific stream numbers or extremely cheap options, as these often use fake playlists with bot followers. Focus on organic growth, free submission methods, and building genuine relationships with curators first. If using paid services, research their reputation and request examples of successful placements.
What makes a song more likely to be accepted by Spotify playlist curators?
Songs more likely to be accepted by playlist curators have professional production quality, clear genre classification, and strong opening hooks within the first 15 seconds. Curators favor tracks with existing engagement, positive streaming metrics, and artists with complete, professional Spotify profiles. Songs that match the playlist's specific mood, tempo, and audience demographic perform better. Having press coverage, social media presence, and previous playlist placements significantly increases acceptance rates.
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