How to Submit Music to Playlists for Free: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists
In today's digital music landscape, playlists have become one of the most powerful tools for music discovery. For independent artists, getting your tracks featured on popular playlists can significantly boost your streaming numbers, expand your fanbase, and potentially catch the attention of industry professionals. While many playlist submission services charge fees, there are numerous free options available that can be just as effective when approached strategically.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about submitting your music to playlists without spending a dime. From preparing your release to maximizing your chances of playlist placement, we'll cover all the essential steps to help your music reach new listeners.
Why Playlist Placement Matters for Independent Artists
Before diving into the submission process, it's important to understand why playlist placement is so valuable:
Increased Visibility: Playlists expose your music to listeners who might never have discovered you otherwise.
Higher Streaming Numbers: A single placement on a popular playlist can generate thousands of streams.
Algorithm Boost: Streaming platforms like Spotify use data from playlist adds to recommend your music to similar listeners.
Industry Attention: Labels, booking agents, and other industry professionals often scout trending playlists for new talent.
Revenue Generation: More streams mean more royalties, creating a passive income stream.
With these benefits in mind, let's explore how to submit your music to playlists without spending money.
Preparing Your Music for Playlist Submission
Before submitting your tracks to any playlist, ensure your music and profile are fully optimized:
Create Professional Profiles on Streaming Platforms
Your artist profile is your digital business card. Make sure it includes:
High-quality profile photo
Compelling bio that tells your story
Links to your social media accounts
Updated discography
Having a professional online presence extends beyond streaming platforms. Consider building a free musician website to create a central hub for your music career.
Ensure Your Music is Properly Distributed
Before you can submit to most playlists, your music needs to be available on major streaming platforms. If you haven't distributed your music yet, check out the best independent music distribution options to get your tracks on Spotify, Apple Music, and other services.
Prepare Your Release Strategy
Plan your release at least 3-4 weeks in advance to give yourself time for playlist pitching. Consider these elements:
Release date (Fridays are traditionally best for music releases)
Cover artwork that stands out in playlists
Pre-save campaigns to build momentum
Social media promotion plan
Free Platforms to Submit Music to Playlists
Now that your music is ready, here are the best free platforms for playlist submissions:
Spotify for Artists
Spotify's official submission tool is completely free and allows you to pitch unreleased music directly to Spotify's editorial team.
How to submit:
Log in to your Spotify for Artists account
Navigate to the "Music" tab and find your upcoming release
Click "Pitch a song" at least 7 days before release
Fill out the form with detailed information about your track
Tips for success:
Be specific about your genre and mood
Highlight any unique elements or story behind the song
Submit at least 3-4 weeks before release for best results
Include information about your marketing plans
While there's no guarantee of placement, this direct line to Spotify's editorial team is invaluable and completely free.
SubmitHub
While SubmitHub does have a premium option, they also offer free submissions to many playlists and blogs.
How it works:
Create a free account
Upload your track
Browse playlists that accept free submissions
Submit your track (you get a limited number of free credits daily)
Maximizing free submissions:
Focus on playlists that match your genre exactly
Write personalized submission notes
Check back daily for new credits
Read curator requirements carefully before submitting
SoundPlate
SoundPlate offers free submissions to their network of Spotify playlists across various genres.
Submission process:
Visit their playlist submission page
Select the appropriate genre for your track
Fill out the submission form with your Spotify link
Include relevant information about your release
SoundPlate curates playlists in genres ranging from house and techno to hip-hop and indie, making it a versatile option for artists across the musical spectrum.
Daily Playlists
Daily Playlists connects independent artists with playlist curators for free.
How to use it:
Create an account
Upload your track details
Browse playlists by genre
Submit to relevant playlists
The platform has thousands of playlists across all major streaming services, not just Spotify, giving you broader reach potential.
Reddit Communities
Several subreddits allow artists to share their music and connect with playlist curators:
r/SpotifyPlaylists
r/IndieMusicFeedback
r/PromoteYourMusic
r/shareyourmusic
Best practices for Reddit:
Become an active community member before promoting
Follow each subreddit's specific rules
Provide feedback to other artists
Be specific about your genre and influences
Direct Outreach to Playlist Curators
One of the most effective free methods is reaching out directly to playlist curators:
Finding Independent Curators
Independent curators often manage playlists with substantial followings and are more accessible than major editorial playlists:
Spotify Search: Search for playlists in your genre and look for those created by individual users rather than Spotify
Instagram: Many curators promote their playlists on Instagram with hashtags like #spotifyplaylist or #playlistcurator
Twitter: Search for playlist curators in your genre
Playlist Miner Tools: Use free tools like Playlist Miner to find relevant playlists
Crafting Effective Outreach Messages
When contacting curators directly, your approach matters:
Personalize each message: Mention specific playlists and why your track fits
Keep it concise: Curators are busy; respect their time
Include streaming links: Make it easy to access your music
Highlight key achievements: Mention any notable streaming numbers or press
Offer value: Consider how you might support their playlist (sharing, etc.)
Sample outreach template:
Hi [Curator Name],
I've been enjoying your playlist [Playlist Name] for some time now - particularly loved the recent addition of [Specific Track/Artist].
I've just released a new [genre] track called "[Track Name]" that I believe would fit perfectly alongside [similar artist] in your collection. The song is about [brief description] and has [any notable feature].
Here's the Spotify link for easy listening: [link]
I'd be happy to share your playlist with my followers if you decide it's a good fit.
Thanks for your time and the great music curation,
[Your Name]
Finding Curator Contact Information
Locating contact details requires some detective work:
Check playlist descriptions for Instagram/Twitter handles or email addresses
Look for linked social accounts on Spotify profiles
Search the curator's name on social platforms
Use tools like Chartmetric (which offers limited free features) to find curator information
Leveraging Social Media for Playlist Placements
Social media platforms offer free opportunities to connect with playlist curators:
Instagram Strategies
Use hashtags like #spotifyplaylist, #playlistcurator, and genre-specific tags
Create Instagram Stories featuring playlists you'd like to be added to
Tag curators in relevant content
Participate in curator Instagram Lives and Q&As
Twitter Networking
Follow and engage with playlist curators in your genre
Participate in music Twitter chats
Use hashtags like #SpotifyPlaylist and #NewMusic
Create Twitter lists of playlist curators for organized networking
Facebook Groups
Numerous Facebook groups exist specifically for playlist submissions:
Spotify Playlist Submission Groups
Genre-specific music promotion groups
Independent Musician Networks
Tips for Facebook groups:
Read group rules carefully before posting
Engage with other members' content
Participate in feedback threads
Look for dedicated submission threads rather than creating new posts
Creating and Growing Your Own Playlists
Sometimes the best approach is to create your own ecosystem:
Building Collaborative Playlists
Creating collaborative playlists with other artists in your genre can be mutually beneficial:
Invite similar artists to add tracks to a shared playlist
Each contributor promotes the playlist to their audience
Create themed playlists that fit your music style
Refresh content regularly to keep listeners engaged
Growing Your Curator Presence
Becoming a respected curator yourself can open doors:
Create thoughtfully curated playlists in your genre
Include your own tracks alongside established artists
Share your playlists consistently on social media
Engage with other curators to build relationships
Consider themed or mood-based playlists that fill a niche
As your playlists gain followers, you'll build relationships with other artists and curators, creating opportunities for cross-promotion.
Maximizing Your Chances of Playlist Acceptance
Increase your odds of playlist placement with these strategies:
Timing Your Submissions
Submit to Spotify Editorial at least 3-4 weeks before release
Reach out to independent curators 1-2 weeks before release
Follow up with curators 1-2 days after release
Avoid major holidays when curators may be less active
Creating Playlist-Friendly Music
While artistic integrity should always come first, consider these elements that make songs more "playlistable":
Strong intros that capture attention in the first 30 seconds
Clear genre alignment for easier categorization
Professional production quality
Songs that maintain consistent energy
Tracks that transition well from other songs
Building Momentum Before Submission
Curators are more likely to add tracks that show early signs of success:
Organize a pre-save campaign
Encourage your existing fans to stream immediately upon release
Create social media buzz before and during release week
Secure a few smaller playlist adds before approaching larger curators
What to Do After Getting Added to Playlists
Your work isn't done once you get added to playlists:
Showing Appreciation to Curators
Thank curators personally
Share their playlists on your social media
Tag them in your promotional posts
Engage with their other content
Leveraging Playlist Placements
Use your playlist success to create more opportunities:
Update your press kit with notable playlist features
Mention playlist adds when submitting to other curators
Track streaming data to identify which playlists drive the most engagement
Use insights to refine your submission strategy for future releases
Maintaining Relationships with Curators
Building long-term relationships with curators is more valuable than one-off placements:
Follow curators on social media
Engage with their content regularly
Share their playlists even when your music isn't featured
Provide value beyond just asking for placements
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting to Playlists
Steer clear of these pitfalls that can hurt your chances:
Submission Errors
Mass-sending identical messages to curators
Submitting to playlists that don't match your genre
Sending incomplete or broken links
Ignoring submission guidelines
Following up too frequently or aggressively
Ethical Considerations
Maintain your integrity in the submission process:
Avoid services promising guaranteed placements for free (they're usually scams)
Don't engage with playlist networks that use bots or fake streams
Never offer payment for placements on allegedly "free" submission platforms
Respect curators who decline your music
Tools to Track Your Playlist Performance
Monitor your success with these free and freemium tools:
Spotify for Artists: Provides data on playlist adds and listener demographics
Spot on Track: Offers limited free tracking of playlist placements
Playlist Supply: Helps discover playlists in your genre
SoundCharts: Provides some free features for playlist monitoring
Success Stories: Independent Artists Who Grew Through Free Playlist Submissions
Many successful artists have built their careers through strategic playlist pitching:
Clairo: Built early momentum through bedroom pop playlists before major label success
Tones and I: "Dance Monkey" gained initial traction through independent playlists
Gerry Cinnamon: Built a massive following without traditional label support through grassroots playlist promotion
These artists demonstrate that with persistence and strategic approaches, free playlist submission can lead to significant career growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Playlist Submissions
How long should I wait to hear back from playlist curators?
Most curators will respond within 1-2 weeks if interested. If you haven't heard back after two weeks, you can send a polite follow-up, but then move on to other opportunities.
How many playlists should I submit to for each release?
Quality matters more than quantity. Focus on 20-30 highly relevant playlists rather than sending mass submissions to hundreds of curators.
Can I submit the same song to multiple playlists?
Absolutely! Submit to as many relevant playlists as possible, but customize each submission when reaching out directly to curators.
Is it better to submit singles or full albums?
Singles typically perform better for playlist submissions. Most curators prefer adding individual tracks rather than multiple songs from the same artist.
How important is my streaming history for playlist consideration?
While some larger playlists consider streaming numbers, many independent curators focus primarily on the quality of the music. Don't let a lack of previous streams discourage you from submitting.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Playlist Strategy
Submitting music to playlists for free requires persistence, research, and relationship-building, but the results can be transformative for your music career. By combining direct submissions through platforms like Spotify for Artists with thoughtful outreach to independent curators, you can create a sustainable strategy that grows your audience without breaking your budget.
Remember that playlist placement is just one aspect of a comprehensive music promotion strategy. Combine it with engaging social media content, live performances, and direct fan interaction for the best results.
The most successful artists view playlist pitching as an ongoing relationship-building process rather than a one-time transaction. By providing value to curators and focusing on the right playlists for your music, you can achieve significant growth while maintaining complete creative and financial independence.
Start small, track your results, and refine your approach with each release. With patience and persistence, free playlist submission can become one of your most powerful tools for music promotion.