How to Submit Playlists to Spotify: The Complete Guide for Artists and Curators
In today's digital music landscape, Spotify playlists have become one of the most powerful tools for music discovery and promotion. Whether you're an independent artist looking to get your music featured or a curator wanting to share your musical taste with the world, understanding how to submit playlists to Spotify is essential knowledge. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating, submitting, and promoting playlists on Spotify's platform.
With over 489 million active users and more than 4 billion playlists, Spotify offers incredible opportunities for music promotion and discovery. A single playlist placement can generate thousands of streams and help artists reach new audiences. For curators, creating popular playlists can establish you as a tastemaker in the music industry.
Understanding Spotify Playlists: The Different Types
Before diving into submission strategies, it's important to understand the different types of playlists on Spotify:
1. Editorial Playlists
Created and managed by Spotify's in-house team of curators, these official playlists like "New Music Friday," "RapCaviar," and "Viva Latino" are among the most followed and influential on the platform. Getting featured on editorial playlists can significantly boost an artist's visibility.
2. Algorithmic Playlists
These are personalized playlists generated by Spotify's algorithm based on user listening habits. Examples include Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mix playlists. These playlists are automatically created and cannot be directly submitted to.
3. User-Generated Playlists
Created by Spotify users, including fans, influencers, bloggers, and independent curators. While some have only a few followers, others have built massive audiences of thousands or even millions of followers.
4. Artist Playlists
Playlists created by artists on their official Spotify profiles. These can include their own music, inspirations, collaborations, or themed collections.
How to Submit Music to Spotify Editorial Playlists
Getting your music on Spotify's editorial playlists is often considered the holy grail for emerging artists. Here's how to maximize your chances:
Using Spotify for Artists
The primary way to submit music for editorial playlist consideration is through the Spotify for Artists platform:
Create a Spotify for Artists account: If you haven't already, claim your artist profile at artists.spotify.com.
Submit unreleased music: You can submit one unreleased track per release for editorial consideration through the "Music" tab in your dashboard.
Submit at least 7 days before release: Spotify recommends submitting tracks at least one week before the release date to give their editors enough time to review.
Provide detailed information: Fill out all the information about your track, including genre, mood, instruments, and a compelling story about the release.
Remember that Spotify receives thousands of submissions daily, so there's no guarantee your track will be selected. However, even if you don't make it onto an editorial playlist, your music will still be considered for algorithmic playlists like Release Radar.
Tips to Improve Your Editorial Playlist Submission
To increase your chances of getting selected:
Plan ahead: Submit your music well in advance of your release date.
Be strategic with your pitch: Highlight what makes your track unique and why it would fit specific playlists.
Build your profile: Editors are more likely to consider artists who are active on the platform and show growth in their listener base.
Keep your artist profile updated: Add a high-quality profile picture, compelling bio, and upcoming shows.
Promote your music: Generate initial streams and engagement through your own marketing efforts.
For independent artists looking to distribute their music to Spotify and other platforms, check out this guide on independent music distribution options for indie artists.
Creating Your Own Spotify Playlists
Whether you're an artist wanting to showcase your music alongside complementary tracks or a curator looking to build a following, creating compelling playlists is an art form. Here's how to create playlists that stand out:
Steps to Create a Playlist on Spotify
Open Spotify and log into your account.
Click "Create Playlist" in the left sidebar (desktop) or tap the "+" icon (mobile).
Name your playlist with something catchy and descriptive.
Add a description that explains the playlist's theme and includes relevant keywords.
Upload a custom cover image (3000 x 3000 pixels is recommended).
Add tracks by searching for songs and clicking "Add to Playlist."
Arrange the track order to create a cohesive listening experience.
Set visibility settings (public or private).
Best Practices for Playlist Creation
To create playlists that attract followers:
Focus on a specific theme: Whether it's a genre, mood, activity, or era, having a clear theme makes your playlist more discoverable and useful.
Update regularly: Keep your playlists fresh by adding new tracks periodically.
Consider flow and transitions: Pay attention to how tracks transition from one to another for a seamless listening experience.
Include a mix of popular and lesser-known tracks: This balance helps attract listeners while introducing them to new music.
Keep it a reasonable length: 1-3 hours of music (approximately 20-60 tracks) is generally ideal.
Use keywords in your title and description: This helps your playlist appear in search results.
How to Submit Your Playlist to Spotify Playlist Submission Platforms
While Spotify doesn't have an official platform for submitting user-generated playlists, several third-party services help connect playlist curators with listeners and artists:
Popular Playlist Submission Platforms
SubmitHub: Connects artists with playlist curators, blogs, and influencers.
Playlist Push: Helps artists get their music on popular playlists.
Daily Playlists: A community where curators can list their playlists and artists can submit music.
Soundplate: Offers a playlist submission system for both artists and curators.
ToneDen: Provides marketing tools including playlist submission options.
Steps to Submit Your Playlist to These Platforms
Create a compelling playlist following the best practices outlined above.
Build an initial following by sharing with friends, social media, and other networks.
Register on playlist submission platforms as a curator.
Complete your curator profile with information about your musical preferences and submission criteria.
Submit your playlist with a detailed description of your curation style and audience.
Maintain consistent activity by regularly updating your playlist and reviewing submissions.
Promoting Your Spotify Playlist
Creating a great playlist is just the first step. To gain followers and increase your playlist's influence, you need a solid promotion strategy:
Social Media Promotion
Leverage social platforms to grow your playlist following:
Share on Instagram: Create visually appealing stories and posts featuring your playlist cover and a link.
Promote on Twitter: Share tracks from your playlist regularly with the Spotify link.
Utilize Facebook Groups: Join music communities and share your playlist where appropriate.
Create content on TikTok: Short videos featuring songs from your playlist can drive significant traffic.
Share on Reddit: Find relevant subreddits where playlist sharing is welcome.
Collaboration Strategies
Expand your reach through strategic partnerships:
Collaborate with artists: Feature emerging artists and encourage them to share the playlist with their fans.
Partner with other curators: Create collaborative playlists to tap into each other's audiences.
Connect with music blogs: Reach out to blogs that might be interested in featuring your playlist.
Work with influencers: Find social media influencers in your playlist's niche who might share your collection.
Using Spotify Codes and Embedding
Spotify offers tools to make sharing playlists easier:
Spotify Codes: Generate a unique scannable code for your playlist that can be added to physical materials or digital content.
Embedding: Add your playlist directly to websites or blogs using Spotify's embed feature.
Direct links: Create short, memorable links to your playlist using services like Bitly.
Having a dedicated website for your music can significantly enhance your promotional efforts. Learn about the best platforms to build your online presence as a musician.
Submitting Music to User-Generated Playlists
Getting your music on popular user-generated playlists can be just as valuable as editorial placements. Here's how to approach playlist curators effectively:
Finding Relevant Playlist Curators
Identify playlists that match your music:
Use Spotify search: Search for playlists using keywords related to your genre, mood, or style.
Explore platforms like Chartmetric: These tools help identify playlists where similar artists appear.
Check out Playlists.net: Browse user-created playlists by genre and theme.
Research on social media: Many curators promote their playlists on Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms.
Look at your competitors: See which playlists feature artists similar to you.
Crafting an Effective Pitch
When reaching out to playlist curators:
Personalize your message: Show that you're familiar with their playlist and curation style.
Keep it concise: Respect their time with a brief, direct pitch.
Explain why your track fits: Specifically mention how your music complements their playlist.
Include streaming links: Make it easy for them to listen to your music.
Offer value: Mention that you'll share their playlist if they add your track.
Follow up respectfully: If you don't hear back, one follow-up message is acceptable.
Spotify Playlist Submission Tools and Services
Several tools can help streamline your playlist submission process:
Playlist Pitching Services
Consider these services to reach more curators:
Groover: Connects artists with curators, guaranteeing feedback.
MusoSoup: Ethical music promotion platform connecting artists with playlisters and bloggers.
Music Gateway: Offers playlist pitching as part of their promotion services.
Repost Network: Provides playlist pitching and promotion services.
Analytics Tools
Track your playlist performance with these tools:
Chartmetric: Provides detailed analytics on playlist adds and performance.
Soundcharts: Monitors playlist placements and overall streaming performance.
Spotify for Artists: Offers insights into which playlists are driving streams for your music.
Playlist Supply: Helps find relevant playlists and track submissions.
Spotify Playlist Monetization
For curators with significant followings, there are ways to monetize your playlists:
Ethical Monetization Approaches
Brand partnerships: Collaborate with brands that align with your playlist's theme.
Sponsored placements: Accept payment for featuring tracks, but maintain transparency and quality standards.
Playlist curation services: Offer your expertise to create custom playlists for businesses or events.
Cross-promotion: Partner with artists or labels for mutual promotion.
Affiliate marketing: Promote music-related products or services that complement your playlists.
Ethical Considerations and Spotify's Policies
When monetizing playlists, keep these guidelines in mind:
Maintain transparency: Always disclose paid placements to maintain trust with your audience.
Prioritize quality: Never compromise your curation standards for payment.
Follow Spotify's terms: Be aware that selling placements can potentially violate Spotify's terms of service.
Focus on value: Ensure your playlist continues to provide value to listeners, regardless of monetization.
Build authentic relationships: Work with artists and brands that genuinely fit your playlist's aesthetic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting to Spotify Playlists
Avoid these pitfalls to improve your chances of successful playlist placements:
Submission Errors
Mass emailing curators: Generic, copy-paste messages are easily spotted and ignored.
Submitting to irrelevant playlists: Your folk song doesn't belong on an electronic dance playlist.
Ignoring submission guidelines: Many curators have specific requirements for submissions.
Submitting low-quality recordings: Ensure your music is professionally produced before pitching.
Sending too many tracks: Focus on your strongest, most playlist-friendly track.
Being impatient: Harassing curators with multiple follow-ups will hurt your chances.
Playlist Creation Mistakes
Inconsistent themes: Playlists that jump between drastically different genres confuse listeners.
Poor playlist descriptions: Vague or keyword-stuffed descriptions don't attract followers.
Low-quality cover art: Unprofessional visuals reduce click-through rates.
Infrequent updates: Abandoned playlists lose followers quickly.
Including too many of your own tracks: For artists, overfilling a playlist with your own music can seem self-serving.
Success Stories: Artists Who Leveraged Spotify Playlists
Many artists have built their careers through strategic playlist placements:
Case Studies
Lauv: Built his career largely through playlist placements, with his track "I Like Me Better" appearing on numerous influential playlists before becoming a global hit.
Tones and I: "Dance Monkey" gained initial traction through independent playlists before being picked up by Spotify's editorial team.
Clairo: Her bedroom pop hit "Pretty Girl" went viral after being featured on influential indie playlists.
Jeremy Zucker: Built a substantial following through consistent playlist placements before signing a major label deal.
girl in red: Developed a dedicated fan base through playlist features that highlighted her unique sound and authentic lyrics.
Lessons from Successful Artists
Key takeaways from these success stories:
Consistency matters: Release music regularly to maintain playlist presence.
Quality over quantity: Focus on creating exceptional tracks rather than numerous mediocre ones.
Build relationships: Engage with curators and fans to create a supportive community.
Be patient: Playlist success often builds gradually over time.
Leverage momentum: When a track gains traction, capitalize with strategic promotion.
The Future of Spotify Playlists
As Spotify continues to evolve, the playlist landscape is changing:
Emerging Trends
Enhanced playlist experiences: Spotify is introducing more interactive elements to playlists, including canvas videos and storylines.
AI-powered curation: Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in playlist creation and recommendations.
Collaborative playlists: Group playlist creation is becoming more sophisticated and social.
Playlist monetization: More formalized systems for compensating influential curators may emerge.
Integration with other platforms: Cross-platform playlist sharing and promotion is becoming more seamless.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
To remain competitive in the evolving playlist ecosystem:
Embrace new features: Utilize Spotify's latest tools and capabilities as they're released.
Focus on community: Build genuine connections with listeners and fellow curators.
Diversify your approach: Don't rely solely on playlists for music promotion.
Stay informed: Keep up with changes to Spotify's algorithms and features.
Maintain authenticity: As the space becomes more commercialized, authentic curation will stand out.
Conclusion: Maximizing Your Spotify Playlist Strategy
Whether you're an artist looking to get your music featured or a curator building influential playlists, success on Spotify requires a strategic approach, persistence, and authenticity. By understanding the platform's ecosystem, creating quality content, and building genuine relationships, you can effectively leverage playlists to grow your audience and influence.
Remember that playlist success rarely happens overnight. The most successful artists and curators on Spotify have built their presence through consistent effort, quality content, and strategic promotion. By applying the strategies outlined in this guide and staying adaptable as the platform evolves, you can maximize your chances of playlist success.
Start by focusing on creating or submitting to playlists that align with your musical identity, build relationships with curators and listeners who appreciate your style, and continuously refine your approach based on results. With patience and persistence, Spotify playlists can become a powerful tool in your music career or curation journey.
FAQs About Submitting Playlists to Spotify
How do I submit my song to Spotify playlists?
You can submit unreleased music to Spotify's editorial team through Spotify for Artists. For user-generated playlists, you'll need to research relevant curators and pitch them directly or use playlist submission platforms like SubmitHub or Playlist Push.
Can anyone create a playlist on Spotify?
Yes, any Spotify user can create playlists. Simply click "Create Playlist" in the left sidebar on desktop or the "+" icon on mobile, then add tracks and customize your playlist with a title, description, and cover image.
How do I get my playlist featured on Spotify?
Spotify doesn't have an official submission process for user-created playlists to be featured. The best approach is to create high-quality, regularly updated playlists with a clear theme, promote them across your networks, and grow your follower count organically.
Is it free to submit music to Spotify playlists?
Submitting to Spotify's editorial playlists through Spotify for Artists is free. However, many third-party playlist submission services and some independent curators charge fees for considering your music.
How long does it take to hear back after submitting to Spotify playlists?
For editorial submissions through Spotify for Artists, you typically won't receive direct feedback. If selected, your track will appear in playlists after release. For independent curators, response times vary widely from days to weeks, and many may not respond if they don't select your track.