The Ins and Outs of Editorial Playlisting
One of the top five items on every artists’ bucket list is making it onto an editorial Spotify playlist. Getting onto one of these playlists is a clear indicator of your rise to the top. Like many aspects of the entertainment industry, figuring out how to be placed onto one of these highly sought after placements can appear to be a catch-22.
Quick Summary
Achieving placement on editorial playlists is vital for artists aspiring to reach new heights. A standout single is essential, garnering feedback to ensure it resonates with listeners amid 40,000 daily submissions. Artists should register on Spotify for Artists for verification and craft compelling pitches that highlight their uniqueness. Maintaining professionalism with curators enhances chances of success, while media coverage and prior placements are less critical. Embrace Spotify's focus on
It almost seems as if you have to already be at the top of your game in the industry for these playlists to want to add you, so that you can get to the top of your game. Once you peek behind the curtain, you will see so many more moving parts to promoting your music than you thought there were. So let’s get into it, how do you prioritize what to do in order to get your music onto editorial playlists?
What’s important:
A great single Not only do you need to think that you have a great song, everyone else does, too. Before you release an album, get as many people to listen to it as you can and get their honest feedback on which of the songs they liked best. This will help you narrow down which song to use as your single. You’ll never please everyone, but you can get a better idea of what the most people respond to. The Spotify editorial board gets around 40,000 song submissions PER DAY, if you’re single doesn’t set itself apart, it’s not making it onto a playlist.
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Verification I’m not talking about instagram verification, Spotify has its own verification system. All you have to do is register on Spotify for Artists. Previously, an artist needed a minimum of 250 subscribers so at least this step is relatively easy these days.
Pitching When you submit your song to just about anything, you’re asked to send a brief pitch as well. If all it says is “I wrote this song after I went through a break up”, chances are they will not be all that interested to listen to it. In fact they’ve gotten several thousand that day that say the exact same thing.
Maintaining a professional relationship with curators Read and follow Spotify’s best practices carefully. Behave professionally and you will be treated as a professional. The best thing you can do when interacting with people who deal with tens of thousands of amateur musicians every single day is to show them that you know what you’re doing and that you’re easy to work with.
What’s not important:
Prior media coverage Of course, media coverage and publicity are taken into account, but it’s not the most important piece of the submission puzzle. Your pitch and the initial information you send to Spotify when you submit your music, that’s what will really set you apart.
Previous Spotify placements Spotify has created designated playlists to promote newer artists who have not been on major playlists in the past. Playlists like “Fresh Finds” and “On Our Radar” were specifically created to highlight newcomers.
Finding “the right” distributorObviously, it’s important to find the music distributor that best works for you. What you don’t need to worry about is looking for a distributor that could give your music a better chance of being picked.
Maintaining a personal relationship with curators It’s always a smart move to act like a professional among other professionals. However, attempting to foster a personal relationship in order to get more placements with the curators is not. Having a personal relationship with any of the curators does not improve your chances of getting onto them. The main goal for any digital streaming site is to provide the best possible listening experience to their audience, so when it comes down to making a decision on placements, they look at the current social climate, data, musical characteristics, and what makes each artist unique in order to put together an immersive listening experience.
Understanding Spotify's Editorial Playlist Ecosystem
Spotify's editorial playlist structure is far more complex than most artists realize. The platform operates different tiers of playlists, each serving specific purposes and audiences. Major flagship playlists like 'Today's Top Hits' and 'RapCaviar' sit at the apex, featuring established artists and tracks with proven performance metrics. Mid-tier playlists focus on genre-specific content and emerging trends, while discovery playlists highlight new talent. Understanding this hierarchy helps artists set realistic expectations and target appropriate playlists for their current career stage.
The editorial team consists of music experts, data analysts, and cultural curators who work across different regions and genres. These teams collaborate to ensure playlists reflect both global trends and local tastes. For instance, a track might first appear on a regional discovery playlist before potentially moving up to broader, more mainstream collections. The decision-making process involves analyzing streaming data, social media buzz, radio play, and cultural relevance, making it a sophisticated blend of human expertise and algorithmic insights.
Timing plays a crucial role in editorial considerations. Spotify's editorial calendar aligns with cultural moments, seasonal trends, and industry events. Summer playlists begin curation in early spring, holiday content starts planning months in advance, and genre-specific campaigns often coincide with cultural movements or anniversaries. Artists who understand these cycles and time their releases accordingly have better chances of catching editorial attention during relevant periods.
Advanced Submission Strategies and Best Practices
The submission process through Spotify for Artists requires strategic thinking beyond the basic pitch. Submit your track at least one week before its release date, as this gives editors adequate time for consideration and playlist scheduling. The metadata you provide is crucial – include accurate genre tags, mood descriptors, and instrumental details. Avoid generic descriptions and instead focus on what makes your track unique musically and culturally. For example, instead of 'upbeat pop song,' describe specific elements like 'synth-driven pop with 80s influences and anthemic choruses perfect for workout motivation.'
Your artist profile completion significantly impacts submission success. A fully optimized Spotify for Artists profile includes a compelling bio, high-quality images, and verified social media links. The platform's algorithm considers artist completeness when evaluating submissions. Additionally, maintain consistent release schedules and engage with your existing Spotify audience through features like Canvas videos and playlist updates. Editorial teams notice artists who actively use the platform's tools and demonstrate growth potential.
Consider the broader context of your submission within current playlist themes and seasonal relevance. Research active playlists in your genre to understand their current direction and mood. If you're submitting an introspective indie track during summer when playlists favor upbeat content, acknowledge this in your pitch and suggest alternative timing or positioning. This shows industry awareness and helps curators envision how your track fits their programming strategy.
Building Momentum Before and After Playlist Placement
Pre-submission momentum is often the deciding factor between acceptance and rejection. Editorial teams look for tracks that already show organic growth signals – increasing daily streams, social media engagement, and user-generated playlist additions. Build this momentum through targeted social media campaigns, collaborations with micro-influencers in your genre, and strategic playlist pitching to independent curators. Tools like Spotify's real-time analytics help you demonstrate growing listener engagement when submitting to editorial teams.
Your streaming history provides context for your submission. Consistent monthly listener growth, strong save-to-library rates, and positive playlist performance from previous releases all contribute to editorial confidence in your new track. If your last release achieved strong completion rates and repeat listening, highlight these metrics in your submission. Editorial teams want to invest in artists who consistently deliver engaging content that keeps listeners on the platform.
Post-placement strategy is equally important for long-term editorial relationships. When your track does receive playlist placement, maximize the opportunity through coordinated promotion across all channels. Share playlist features professionally on social media, engage with new fans discovered through the placement, and maintain the momentum with follow-up releases. Artists who effectively capitalize on editorial placements are more likely to receive future consideration. Track and document your post-placement growth metrics – increased follower counts, streaming improvements, and expanded geographic reach all strengthen future submissions.
Alternative Pathways and Emerging Opportunities
While major editorial playlists receive the most attention, Spotify's algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mix often provide more accessible entry points for emerging artists. These playlists are generated based on user listening behavior and can expose your music to highly targeted audiences. Optimize for algorithmic inclusion by encouraging genuine engagement from your existing fanbase – shares, saves, and complete track listens all signal quality to Spotify's recommendation engine.
Regional and cultural playlists offer overlooked opportunities for strategic artists. Spotify maintains hundreds of location-specific and culturally-focused playlists that receive less submission volume than major mainstream collections. If your music incorporates specific cultural elements, languages, or regional sounds, target these specialized playlists where your submission will face less competition and reach more engaged, relevant audiences. Success on regional playlists can create momentum for broader editorial consideration.
Cross-platform promotion significantly influences Spotify editorial decisions. Strong performance on TikTok, YouTube, or other streaming platforms demonstrates market viability and cultural relevance. Editorial teams monitor these signals when evaluating submissions. Additionally, sync placements in films, TV shows, or advertisements can provide the cultural context and exposure that editorial teams value. Document and highlight these achievements in your submissions to show broader industry validation beyond just streaming metrics.
Written by Laurel Daggers
Laurel Daggers is a content writer at AMW®, covering topics in marketing, entertainment, and brand strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many songs does Spotify receive for editorial playlist consideration daily?
Spotify's editorial board receives approximately 40,000 song submissions per day. This massive volume of submissions means your single must truly stand out from the crowd to get noticed. To increase your chances, focus on creating exceptional music, getting honest feedback from multiple listeners before release, and crafting a compelling pitch that differentiates your song from the thousands of similar submissions received daily.
Do I need previous Spotify playlist placements to get on editorial playlists?
No, previous Spotify placements are not required for editorial playlist consideration. Spotify has created specific playlists like 'Fresh Finds' and 'On Our Radar' designed to highlight newcomers who haven't been featured on major playlists before. These playlists are specifically intended to promote newer artists, so being new to the platform won't hurt your chances of getting discovered.
What should I avoid when pitching my music to Spotify editorial playlists?
Avoid generic, overused pitches like 'I wrote this song after a breakup' as curators receive thousands of similar descriptions daily. Don't attempt to build personal relationships with curators for playlist placement, as this doesn't improve your chances. Also avoid focusing too heavily on finding the 'right' distributor, as this won't significantly impact your playlist consideration odds.
Is Spotify for Artists verification required for editorial playlist submission?
Yes, Spotify verification through Spotify for Artists is important for editorial playlist consideration. The good news is that verification has become much easier - you simply need to register on Spotify for Artists without the previous requirement of having 250 subscribers. This verification helps establish your professional presence on the platform and is a basic requirement for serious playlist consideration.
How important is media coverage for getting on Spotify editorial playlists?
While media coverage and publicity are considered, they're not the most crucial factor for editorial playlist placement. Your pitch and the initial information you submit with your music are what will truly set you apart from other submissions. Focus more on crafting compelling pitches and having exceptional music quality rather than solely relying on media coverage to get noticed.
What makes a good pitch for Spotify editorial playlist submission?
A good Spotify pitch should avoid generic descriptions and instead highlight what makes your song unique. Don't use overused phrases like basic breakup stories that curators see thousands of times daily. Focus on specific musical characteristics, current social relevance, unique aspects of your artistry, and what would make your song provide an immersive listening experience for Spotify's audience.
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