How to Submit Your Music to Spotify Playlists: The Complete Guide for Independent Artists
For independent musicians, getting your music on Spotify playlists can be a game-changer for your career. With over 489 million active users worldwide, Spotify offers unprecedented access to potential fans. But how exactly do you submit your music to Spotify playlists? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Spotify playlist submissions, from preparing your music to connecting with playlist curators and tracking your results.
Whether you're a seasoned artist or just released your first single, understanding the playlist ecosystem on Spotify can significantly boost your streaming numbers, increase your fanbase, and potentially lead to more opportunities in the music industry.
Why Spotify Playlists Matter for Independent Artists
Before diving into the submission process, it's important to understand why Spotify playlists are so valuable for musicians:
Exposure to new listeners: Playlists introduce your music to people who might never have discovered you otherwise.
Credibility boost: Being featured alongside established artists lends legitimacy to your work.
Streaming revenue: More streams mean more royalties, even if the per-stream rate is small.
Algorithm advantages: Getting on playlists can trigger Spotify's algorithm to recommend your music to similar listeners.
Industry attention: Labels, booking agents, and other industry professionals pay attention to artists gaining traction on playlists.
With these benefits in mind, let's explore how to get your music on Spotify playlists.
Types of Spotify Playlists You Can Submit To
Not all Spotify playlists are created equal. Understanding the different types will help you target your submissions more effectively:
Editorial Playlists
These are playlists created and maintained by Spotify's in-house editorial team. They include popular playlists like "New Music Friday," "RapCaviar," and genre-specific collections. These playlists have massive followings and can generate thousands or even millions of streams.
Algorithmic Playlists
These playlists are automatically generated based on user listening habits and preferences. Examples include "Discover Weekly," "Release Radar," and "Daily Mix" playlists. While you can't directly submit to these, getting on other playlists can increase your chances of being included in algorithmic recommendations.
Independent Curator Playlists
These are playlists created by individuals, blogs, brands, or other third parties. They range from small playlists with a few hundred followers to major playlists with hundreds of thousands of followers. This category offers the most opportunities for independent artists.
Listener Playlists
These are playlists created by regular Spotify users for personal use or to share with friends. While they typically have fewer followers, getting added to multiple listener playlists can add up to significant stream counts over time.
Preparing Your Music for Spotify Playlist Submission
Before you start submitting to playlists, make sure your music and profile are optimized for success:
Create a Professional Spotify for Artists Profile
Your Spotify for Artists profile is your home base on the platform. To claim and optimize it:
Sign up for Spotify for Artists if you haven't already.
Complete your profile with a high-quality artist photo.
Write a compelling bio that tells your story.
Add your social media links and website.
Keep your upcoming shows updated.
Pin your most important release to the top of your profile.
Having a complete, professional-looking profile makes playlist curators more likely to take you seriously. It also provides a better experience for listeners who discover you through playlists and want to learn more.
Ensure Your Music Is Properly Distributed
To get your music on Spotify, you need to work with a digital distributor. Popular options include DistroKid, CD Baby, TuneCore, AWAL, and United Masters. These services deliver your music to Spotify and other streaming platforms for a fee.
For a detailed comparison of distribution options, check out this guide on independent music distribution for indie artists.
Plan Your Release Strategy
For maximum playlist consideration, plan your release at least 3-4 weeks in advance. This gives you time to:
Submit to Spotify editorial playlists (which requires at least 7 days' notice)
Pitch to independent curators before release
Build pre-save campaigns to boost day-one streams
Coordinate social media promotion
Remember that recency matters on Spotify—new releases get more algorithmic attention, so make the most of your release window.
How to Submit to Spotify Editorial Playlists
Getting on Spotify's editorial playlists is the holy grail for many artists. Here's how to submit your music for consideration:
Using Spotify for Artists Pitch Tool
Spotify offers a direct submission tool for their editorial team through Spotify for Artists:
Log in to your Spotify for Artists account.
Navigate to the "Music" tab and select "Upcoming."
Find your unreleased track (it must be at least 7 days before release date).
Click "Pitch a song" to access the submission form.
Fill out all information carefully, including:
Primary genre and subgenre
Mood descriptors
Instrumentation
Song culture/language information
Any additional notes for editors
Submit your pitch (you can only pitch one song per release).
Tips for Effective Editorial Pitches
To maximize your chances of editorial playlist placement:
Be specific but concise in your pitch notes. Mention what makes the song unique, any notable collaborators, or relevant context.
Select accurate genres and moods. Don't try to game the system by selecting popular categories that don't match your music.
Highlight your story. Editors are interested in compelling narratives around your music.
Mention any momentum you already have, such as press coverage, radio play, or significant social media growth.
Submit well in advance of your release date (at least 7 days, but earlier is better).
Remember that Spotify's editorial team receives thousands of submissions weekly, so not every worthy track will be selected. Don't be discouraged if you don't get placed—keep creating and submitting quality music.
Finding and Submitting to Independent Curator Playlists
Independent curator playlists offer more accessible opportunities for emerging artists. Here's how to find and submit to them:
Researching Relevant Playlists
Start by finding playlists that feature music similar to yours:
Search for similar artists on Spotify and see what playlists they appear on.
Use playlist search tools like Chartmetric, PlaylistSupply, or SubmitHub to find playlists by genre.
Explore Spotify's Browse section for user-generated playlists in your genre.
Search hashtags like #SpotifyPlaylist or your genre on social media to find curators.
Join music communities on Reddit, Facebook, or Discord where playlist curators might be active.
When evaluating playlists, look for:
Genuine engagement (followers compared to monthly listeners of featured artists)
Regular updates (active playlists)
Authentic followers (beware of playlists with artificially inflated numbers)
Stylistic fit with your music
Direct Outreach to Playlist Curators
Once you've identified suitable playlists, it's time to reach out to curators:
Find contact information. Many curators list their contact details in the playlist description or link to social media profiles.
Craft a personalized pitch. Mention specific songs on their playlist that you enjoyed and explain why your music would be a good fit.
Keep it brief. Curators are busy people—respect their time with concise, relevant messages.
Include streaming links (Spotify, not private SoundCloud or MP3 files) to make it easy for them to listen.
Follow up once after a week if you don't hear back, but don't spam curators.
Using Playlist Submission Platforms
Several platforms connect artists with playlist curators:
SubmitHub: Submit to blogs, playlists, and influencers for a small fee per submission.
Playlist Push: Connects artists with curators for a campaign fee.
Daily Playlists: Free submission platform for Spotify playlists.
ToneDen: Offers playlist submission as part of their marketing suite.
Groover: Pay-per-feedback platform connecting artists with media and playlist curators.
These platforms can save you time in researching and contacting curators, but they come with varying costs and success rates. Consider starting with a small budget to test effectiveness before investing heavily.
Building Relationships with Playlist Curators
Long-term success with playlists often comes down to building genuine relationships with curators:
Networking Strategies
Engage authentically with curators on social media before pitching.
Attend industry events where curators might be present.
Offer value first—share their playlists, provide feedback, or connect them with other artists.
Consider collaboration opportunities beyond just playlist placement.
Join online communities where curators participate.
Maintaining Professional Relationships
Once you've established contact with curators:
Express genuine gratitude when they add your music.
Share their playlists on your social media to help grow their audience.
Keep them updated on your new releases without being pushy.
Respect their decisions if they choose not to add your track.
Maintain regular but respectful communication.
Remember that playlist curators are often passionate music fans who want to discover great new music. Approach them as potential collaborators in your music career, not just as gatekeepers to streaming numbers.
Leveraging Spotify's Algorithm for Playlist Inclusion
Beyond editorial and independent playlists, Spotify's algorithm can place your music in personalized playlists for listeners:
Understanding Algorithmic Playlists
Spotify's key algorithmic playlists include:
Release Radar: Personalized weekly playlist of new releases from artists users follow or listen to regularly.
Discover Weekly: Personalized recommendations based on listening habits and similar users' preferences.
Daily Mix: Genre-specific mixes of familiar tracks and recommendations.
Radio: Automatically generated playlists based on a song, artist, or playlist.
Optimizing for Algorithmic Success
To increase your chances of algorithmic playlist inclusion:
Encourage followers. When users follow your profile, they're more likely to see your new releases in Release Radar.
Drive engagement. Spotify's algorithm favors songs that listeners save, add to playlists, or listen to completely.
Build momentum early. The first 24-48 hours after release are crucial for algorithmic attention.
Use pre-save campaigns to concentrate streams on release day.
Encourage playlist adds by asking fans to add your songs to their personal playlists.
Analyze performance data in Spotify for Artists to understand what's working.
Remember that algorithmic playlists often generate more streams over time than editorial or curator playlists, as they continuously introduce your music to new listeners who are likely to enjoy it based on their listening habits.
Creating Your Own Spotify Playlists
Don't overlook the power of creating your own playlists as part of your strategy:
Artist Playlists as a Marketing Tool
Creating your own playlists offers several benefits:
Showcase your musical influences to help fans understand your artistic context.
Highlight collaborators and similar artists to tap into their audiences.
Create themed playlists that include your music alongside established artists.
Curate "tour playlists" featuring opening acts and headliners.
Develop "mood playlists" that fit specific activities where your music might be enjoyed.
Building an Audience for Your Playlists
To grow your playlist following:
Share playlists across social media platforms regularly.
Update playlists consistently to keep followers engaged.
Collaborate with other artists on playlist creation and cross-promotion.
Embed playlists on your musician website or blog.
Create seasonal or event-specific playlists that have timely relevance.
Consider playlist exchange with other artists in your network.
Well-curated artist playlists can become an extension of your brand and another way for fans to connect with you beyond just listening to your releases.
Measuring Success and Tracking Results
Once your music is on playlists, it's important to track performance and understand what's working:
Using Spotify for Artists Analytics
Spotify for Artists provides valuable data about your playlist performance:
Playlist source data: See which playlists are generating streams for your music.
Listener demographics: Understand who's discovering your music through playlists.
Save rate: Track how many listeners are saving your songs after hearing them.
Skip rate: Monitor if listeners are skipping your tracks (high skip rates can hurt algorithmic performance).
Conversion to followers: See if playlist listeners are becoming followers of your profile.
Third-Party Analytics Tools
For more advanced tracking, consider these tools:
Chartmetric: Tracks playlist adds, playlist performance, and competitive analysis.
Soundcharts: Monitors playlist placements and overall streaming performance.
PlaylistSupply: Helps find playlists and track submissions.
Songstats: Alerts you when your music is added to or removed from playlists.
Regularly analyzing this data helps you refine your playlist strategy over time and focus your efforts on what's generating real results.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting to Spotify Playlists
Learn from others' mistakes to improve your playlist submission success rate:
Pitching Errors
Mass-sending generic pitches instead of personalizing outreach.
Submitting to inappropriate playlists that don't match your genre or style.
Pitching too late (especially for editorial playlists).
Writing overly long, unfocused pitch emails.
Lacking professionalism in your communication.
Not providing easy access to your music (broken links, requiring downloads, etc.).
Ethical Considerations
Avoid these questionable practices that can harm your career:
Paying for playlist placement on Spotify-owned playlists (against Spotify's terms of service).
Using streaming farms or artificial stream generation services.
Engaging with playlists that use bots to inflate follower counts.
Creating fake accounts to boost your own numbers.
Harassing curators with excessive follow-ups or demands.
These practices might seem tempting for short-term gains, but they risk account termination and can permanently damage your reputation in the industry.
Advanced Spotify Playlist Strategies for Established Artists
As your career progresses, consider these more sophisticated approaches:
Collaborative Approaches
Playlist takeovers: Partner with established playlists to curate a special edition.
Playlist-exclusive content: Offer acoustic versions, remixes, or other special content.
Cross-promotion networks: Form alliances with similar artists to support each other's releases.
Playlist-focused release strategies: Structure your release schedule to maximize playlist potential.
Integrating with Broader Marketing
Connect your playlist strategy with your overall marketing plan:
Coordinate social media campaigns with playlist pushes.
Use playlist success in press materials and pitches to media.
Leverage playlist features to book better shows and tours.
Create content around playlist additions (reaction videos, thank you posts, etc.).
Analyze playlist data to identify markets for touring or targeted advertising.
The most successful artists view playlist strategy as one component of an integrated approach to building their career, not as an end in itself.
Case Studies: Successful Spotify Playlist Campaigns
Learning from real-world examples can provide valuable insights:
Independent Artist Success Stories
Case Study 1: Bedroom Pop Breakthrough
An independent bedroom pop artist with no label support focused on building relationships with 20-30 mid-sized playlist curators in their niche over six months before their EP release. By providing exclusive previews and personalized outreach, they secured placements on 15 playlists with a combined following of 500,000 listeners. This initial traction caught Spotify's editorial team's attention, resulting in placement on an official editorial playlist with 200,000 followers. The combined playlist strategy generated over 1 million streams in the first three months after release.
Case Study 2: Genre-Specific Focus
A hip-hop artist created a targeted campaign for their single by researching the exact subgenre their sound fit into. Rather than pitching broadly to hip-hop playlists, they identified 50 playlists specifically featuring lo-fi beats with jazz influences. Their highly specific outreach resulted in a 40% placement rate, compared to their previous 5% success rate with general hip-hop submissions. The focused strategy led to more engaged listeners, higher save rates, and eventually algorithmic playlist inclusion.
Lessons from Major Label Campaigns
While major labels have more resources, their successful strategies often contain elements that independent artists can adapt:
Timing coordination: Synchronizing social media buzz, press coverage, and playlist pitches for maximum impact.
Content ecosystems: Creating multiple pieces of content around a single release (acoustic versions, remixes, behind-the-scenes content) to extend playlist life.
Data-driven targeting: Using listener demographics to identify the most relevant playlists rather than just the largest ones.
Sustained campaigns: Continuing playlist outreach beyond release week to maintain momentum.
The Future of Spotify Playlists for Independent Artists
The playlist landscape continues to evolve. Here are trends to watch and prepare for:
Emerging Trends
Increased personalization: Spotify's algorithm is becoming more sophisticated in matching listeners with new music they'll likely enjoy.
Integration with other platforms: Playlists connecting with TikTok, Instagram, and other social media for discovery.
Enhanced creator tools: Spotify expanding features for playlist creators to discover and showcase music.
More direct submission options: Potential expansion of direct submission tools beyond editorial playlists.
Blockchain and NFT integration: Possible future developments in how artists and curators interact.
Adapting Your Strategy
To stay ahead of changes in the playlist ecosystem:
Diversify your streaming presence across multiple platforms while maintaining Spotify focus.
Build direct connections with fans that aren't dependent on platform algorithms.
Stay informed about Spotify updates through their blog and industry news sources.
Experiment with new features as Spotify introduces them.
Focus on creating remarkable music that stands out regardless of platform changes.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Spotify Playlist Strategy
Successfully submitting to Spotify playlists isn't about quick hacks or shortcuts—it's about developing a thoughtful, consistent approach that grows with your career. Remember these key principles:
Quality comes first. No playlist strategy can compensate for music that doesn't connect with listeners.
Build genuine relationships with curators and fans rather than viewing them as mere stepping stones.
Be patient and persistent. Playlist success rarely happens overnight.
Learn from data but don't let it dictate your creative choices.
Integrate playlist strategy with your broader career goals and marketing plan.
Adapt to changes in the platform and industry.
By approaching Spotify playlists as one important component of your music career rather than the ultimate goal, you'll develop a more sustainable and fulfilling path to growing your audience.
Remember that while playlists can provide valuable exposure, building a dedicated fanbase that connects directly with you and your music is the true foundation of a successful career. Use playlists as a tool to reach potential fans, then focus on converting those listeners into genuine supporters who will follow your journey for years to come.
Ready to take your music career to the next level? Make sure you have a professional online presence by checking out this guide to creating a free musician website, and ensure your music is properly distributed by exploring the best distribution options for independent artists.