How to Submit Music for Spotify Playlists: The Complete Guide for Independent Artists
In today's digital music landscape, getting your tracks on popular Spotify playlists can be a game-changer for independent artists. With over 489 million active users worldwide, Spotify offers unprecedented opportunities for musicians to reach new audiences and grow their fanbase. However, navigating the playlist submission process can be challenging without the right approach.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about submitting your music to Spotify playlists—from preparing your tracks for submission to connecting with playlist curators and leveraging Spotify's native tools. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, these strategies will help increase your chances of playlist placement and expand your music's reach.
Why Spotify Playlist Placement Matters for Musicians
Before diving into submission strategies, it's important to understand why Spotify playlists are so valuable for artists:
Exposure to new listeners: Playlists can introduce your music to thousands—sometimes millions—of potential fans who might never have discovered you otherwise.
Streaming revenue: More playlist placements mean more streams, which translates to higher royalty payments.
Algorithm benefits: Getting on playlists can trigger Spotify's algorithm to recommend your music to similar listeners, creating a snowball effect of discovery.
Industry credibility: Playlist placements can catch the attention of labels, booking agents, and other industry professionals.
Fan engagement: Listeners who discover you through playlists often follow your profile and engage with your other releases.
With these benefits in mind, let's explore how to effectively submit your music to Spotify playlists.
Preparing Your Music for Spotify Playlist Submission
Before you start submitting your music to playlists, you need to ensure your tracks and profile are optimized for success:
Create a Professional Artist Profile
Your Spotify for Artists profile is your digital business card. Make sure it includes:
High-quality artist photos
A compelling bio that tells your story
Links to your social media accounts and official website
Updated tour dates and upcoming releases
Consistent branding that matches your other online platforms
A complete, professional-looking profile signals to playlist curators that you're serious about your music career.
Ensure Your Music is High-Quality
This might seem obvious, but it bears repeating: your music needs to sound professional. Before submission:
Invest in quality recording, mixing, and mastering
Compare your tracks to similar successful artists in your genre
Get feedback from trusted peers or professionals
Make sure your tracks meet Spotify's technical requirements
Remember, playlist curators listen to hundreds of submissions weekly—professional sound quality helps you stand out.
Distribute Your Music Properly
To be eligible for Spotify playlists, your music must be on the platform through an official distributor. Popular digital distribution services for independent artists include:
DistroKid
CD Baby
TuneCore
AWAL
United Masters
Ditto Music
These services not only get your music on Spotify but also provide valuable data and tools to track your performance.
Plan Your Release Strategy
Timing matters when it comes to playlist submissions:
Schedule releases at least 2-4 weeks in advance
Use this lead time to pitch to playlist curators
Consider releasing singles before albums to maximize playlist opportunities
Plan your submission strategy around key dates relevant to your music
A well-planned release gives you more opportunities for playlist inclusion and builds momentum for your music.
Using Spotify for Artists to Submit Music Directly
Spotify's official submission tool within Spotify for Artists is your first and most direct option for playlist consideration:
How to Submit Through Spotify for Artists
Claim your profile: If you haven't already, claim your Spotify for Artists profile through your distributor or at artists.spotify.com.
Schedule your release: Your music must be uploaded to your distributor but not yet released on Spotify.
Find the submission form: In your Spotify for Artists dashboard, navigate to the "Music" tab and find your upcoming release.
Submit your track: Select the track you want to pitch and fill out the submission form completely.
Provide detailed information: Include genre, mood, instruments, and any other relevant details about your track.
Tell your story: Use the notes section to explain what makes your track special, its inspiration, or any notable features.
This submission goes directly to Spotify's editorial team for consideration in their official playlists.
Best Practices for Spotify Editorial Submissions
To maximize your chances of editorial playlist placement:
Submit at least 7 days before release: Earlier is better—aim for 2-4 weeks if possible.
Be specific about your track: The more accurate your genre and mood tags, the better Spotify can match your music to appropriate playlists.
Highlight what's unique: Mention any notable collaborators, unusual instruments, or special recording techniques.
Keep it concise: Editors review many submissions daily—make your pitch clear and to the point.
Include relevant context: Mention any recent achievements, press coverage, or growing statistics that demonstrate momentum.
Remember, you can only submit one track per release through this tool, so choose your strongest song.
Finding and Pitching to Independent Playlist Curators
While Spotify's editorial playlists are valuable, independent playlists curated by individuals, blogs, and brands can also significantly impact your streaming numbers:
How to Find Relevant Playlists
Start by researching playlists that feature similar artists in your genre:
Search by genre: Use Spotify's search function to find playlists in your musical style.
Check similar artists: Look at which playlists feature artists comparable to you.
Use playlist search tools: Platforms like Chartmetric, PlaylistSupply, and SubmitHub can help identify relevant playlists.
Follow playlist curators: Many curators have social media profiles where they share insights about their curation process.
Join music communities: Facebook groups, Reddit communities, and Discord servers often share playlist opportunities.
Create a spreadsheet to track potential playlists, including their size, curator contact information, and submission requirements.
Crafting an Effective Playlist Pitch
When reaching out to playlist curators, your approach matters:
Personalize each message: Reference specific aspects of their playlist that align with your music.
Keep it brief: Introduce yourself, explain why your track fits their playlist, and provide easy access to your music.
Include streaming links: Provide direct Spotify links—never attachments.
Highlight key information: Genre, release date, and any notable achievements or press.
Follow submission guidelines: Many curators have specific requirements—respect them.
Be professional: Check for spelling and grammar errors, and maintain a courteous tone.
Remember that curators receive many submissions—make yours stand out for the right reasons.
Finding Curator Contact Information
Locating the right contact information for playlist curators requires some detective work:
Check playlist descriptions: Many curators include submission instructions or contact details here.
Look for linked social accounts: Follow the curator on Instagram, Twitter, or other platforms they link to.
Search for the curator's name: Many have personal websites or submission forms.
Use LinkedIn: Professional curators often list their work on LinkedIn.
Utilize playlist submission platforms: Services like SubmitHub connect artists directly with curators.
Always respect curators' preferred contact methods and privacy.
Using Playlist Submission Services and Platforms
Several third-party platforms have emerged to streamline the playlist submission process:
Popular Playlist Submission Platforms
SubmitHub: Connects artists with playlist curators, blogs, and influencers for a small fee per submission.
Playlist Push: Matches your music with relevant curators and provides detailed feedback.
Groover: Similar to SubmitHub but with a focus on European markets and curators.
SoundCampaign: Offers targeted campaigns to playlist curators based on your genre.
Daily Playlists: A free community-based platform for playlist submissions.
Musosoup: Connects independent artists with bloggers, playlisters, and radio stations.
Each platform has its own pricing structure, curator network, and success rate.
Pros and Cons of Paid Submission Services
Pros:
Access to verified curators who actively review submissions
Time-efficient way to reach multiple curators
Often provides valuable feedback even if not accepted
Transparent process with tracking and analytics
Higher response rates than cold outreach
Cons:
Costs can add up, especially for multiple submissions
No guarantee of placement
Quality and influence of playlists varies widely
Some services may work with playlists that use artificial methods to inflate numbers
Can feel impersonal compared to direct relationship-building
If you decide to use paid services, research thoroughly and start with a small budget to test effectiveness.
Building Relationships with Playlist Curators
Long-term success with playlist placements often comes from developing genuine relationships with curators:
Networking Strategies for Musicians
Engage authentically: Follow curators on social media and engage meaningfully with their content.
Offer value first: Share their playlists, provide thoughtful comments, or suggest other artists they might enjoy.
Attend industry events: Many curators participate in music conferences, workshops, and networking events.
Join curator communities: Participate in forums and groups where curators gather to discuss music trends.
Collaborate with other artists: Fellow musicians can introduce you to curators they know.
Building these relationships takes time but can lead to more consistent playlist placements.
Follow-Up Etiquette
After submitting your music:
Wait patiently: Give curators at least 1-2 weeks before following up.
Be gracious: If accepted, express genuine appreciation; if rejected, thank them for their time.
Keep track of interactions: Document when you've contacted each curator to avoid duplicate submissions.
Accept feedback: If a curator offers constructive criticism, receive it gracefully.
Maintain the relationship: Continue engaging with curators even when you don't have music to pitch.
Remember that curators are often overwhelmed with submissions—respect their time and process.
Leveraging Your Own Network and Fans
Sometimes the most effective playlist strategy starts with activating your existing supporters:
Creating and Promoting Your Own Playlists
Curate genre-specific playlists: Include your music alongside established artists in your genre.
Theme-based collections: Create playlists around moods, activities, or seasons that include your tracks.
Collaborative playlists: Invite fans and fellow artists to add tracks to community playlists.
Artist spotlight series: Feature artists you've collaborated with or admire, including yourself.
Local scene showcases: Highlight music from your geographic area to tap into regional pride.
Promoting your own playlists helps demonstrate your musical taste and can attract the attention of other curators.
Encouraging Fan Playlist Adds
Your existing fans can significantly boost your playlist presence:
Direct calls to action: Ask fans to add your songs to their personal playlists.
Create shareable content: Design graphics with instructions on how to add your music to playlists.
Offer incentives: Run contests where fans share screenshots of your music in their playlists.
Highlight fan playlists: Showcase fan-created playlists that include your music on your social channels.
Educate your audience: Explain how playlist adds help support your career.
When fans add your music to their playlists, it signals to Spotify's algorithm that your music is engaging and worthy of recommendation.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Scams
The playlist submission landscape includes some questionable practices you should avoid:
Red Flags in Playlist Promotion
Be wary of services or curators that:
Guarantee placements: Legitimate curators never guarantee inclusion.
Charge for placement: Paying directly for playlist spots violates Spotify's terms of service.
Promise unrealistic results: Claims of millions of streams overnight are almost certainly fraudulent.
Use bot-generated playlists: Playlists with high follower counts but low engagement often use artificial methods.
Request your Spotify login credentials: Legitimate services never need your account information.
Lack transparency: If you can't easily find information about who runs the service, be cautious.
Engaging with these services can result in wasted money at best, and account penalties at worst.
Understanding Spotify's Terms of Service
Spotify has clear policies about playlist promotion:
No artificial streaming: Using bots or paid services to generate streams violates terms of service.
No selling placements: Directly paying for spots on playlists is prohibited.
No misleading metadata: Your track information must be accurate and truthful.
No account manipulation: Creating multiple accounts to boost streams is against the rules.
No stream farming: Services that promise to play your tracks repeatedly are banned.
Violations can result in removed tracks, withheld royalties, or even account termination.
Measuring Success and Adjusting Your Strategy
Effective playlist submission is an ongoing process that requires monitoring and adaptation:
Key Metrics to Track
Use Spotify for Artists to monitor these important indicators:
Stream count: Track overall streams and how they change after playlist additions.
Playlist source: Identify which playlists drive the most streams.
Save rate: The percentage of listeners who save your track to their library.
Listener-to-follower conversion: How many new profile followers you gain from playlist exposure.
Listener demographics: Understand where your new listeners are located and their listening habits.
Discovery rate: The percentage of listeners hearing your music for the first time.
These metrics help determine which playlist strategies are most effective for your music.
Iterating Your Approach Based on Results
Use your data to refine your submission strategy:
Double down on what works: Focus more effort on the types of playlists that drive meaningful engagement.
Adjust your targeting: If certain genres or moods perform better, prioritize similar playlists.
Refine your pitch: Use successful submissions as templates for future outreach.
Test different tracks: Some songs may be more "playlist-friendly" than others.
Evaluate ROI on paid services: Calculate the cost per stream to determine if paid submissions are worthwhile.
Timing adjustments: Note if certain days or release windows yield better results.
Continuous improvement based on real data will make your playlist strategy increasingly effective over time.
Advanced Strategies for Playlist Success
Once you've mastered the basics, consider these advanced approaches:
Collaborating with Other Artists
Feature on tracks: Collaborations can expose you to another artist's playlist network.
Create split singles: Release tracks with complementary artists to pool your submission efforts.
Form submission groups: Team up with similar artists to share curator contacts and strategies.
Cross-promote: Share each other's music with your respective audiences and playlist connections.
Collaborative live sessions: Record and release versions of your songs featuring other artists.
These collaborative approaches multiply your reach and resources.
Timing Your Submissions Strategically
Consider these timing factors for maximum impact:
Avoid major release dates: Don't compete with superstar releases that dominate curator attention.
Seasonal relevance: Submit holiday or seasonal music 6-8 weeks before the relevant period.
Industry cycles: Be aware of music industry patterns and submission volume fluctuations.
Day of week: Many curators review submissions early in the week—time yours accordingly.
Follow-up windows: Schedule follow-ups during typical work hours when curators are active.
Strategic timing can significantly increase your chances of playlist inclusion.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Playlist Strategy
Successful Spotify playlist placement isn't about quick wins or shortcuts—it's about building a sustainable, long-term approach:
Focus on quality music first: No submission strategy can compensate for music that doesn't connect with listeners.
Diversify your approaches: Combine official Spotify submissions, independent curator outreach, and community building.
Build genuine relationships: The music industry runs on connections—invest time in developing real relationships with curators and fans.
Be patient and persistent: Playlist success rarely happens overnight; consistent effort yields results over time.
Stay authentic: Your unique musical voice is your greatest asset—don't compromise it just to fit playlist trends.
Remember that playlist placement is just one component of a comprehensive music marketing strategy. Balance your playlist efforts with other promotional activities, including social media engagement, live performances, and building your online presence.
By approaching Spotify playlist submission with professionalism, persistence, and strategic thinking, you'll maximize your chances of getting your music heard by new listeners and building a sustainable career as an independent artist.
Now that you understand how to effectively submit your music to Spotify playlists, it's time to put these strategies into action. Start by optimizing your artist profile, preparing your next release, and researching playlists that align with your musical style. With consistent effort and the right approach, you'll be well on your way to playlist success.