How to Submit to Playlists: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists

In today's digital music landscape, playlists have become one of the most powerful tools for artists to gain exposure and grow their fanbase. Whether you're looking to submit to Spotify playlists, Apple Music playlists, or independent curator playlists, understanding the submission process can significantly impact your music career.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about playlist submissions - from preparing your music for submission to crafting the perfect pitch and leveraging playlist placement for long-term success.

Why Playlist Submissions Matter for Musicians

Before diving into the how-to, let's understand why playlist placements are so valuable in today's music industry:

  • Increased Exposure: Playlists put your music in front of new listeners who might never have discovered you otherwise.

  • Streaming Revenue: More streams mean more income, especially when your track lands on popular playlists.

  • Algorithm Boost: Strong performance on playlists can trigger streaming platforms' algorithms to recommend your music to even more listeners.

  • Industry Attention: Labels, booking agents, and other industry professionals often scout trending playlists for new talent.

  • Fan Growth: Playlist listeners who connect with your music can become long-term fans who follow your career.

According to Spotify, over 4 billion playlists exist on their platform alone, with curated playlists accounting for approximately 30% of all listening time. This represents an enormous opportunity for independent artists to reach new audiences.

Preparing Your Music for Playlist Submission

Before you start submitting to playlists, ensure your music and online presence are fully optimized:

Release Your Music Professionally

Your music needs to be officially released on major streaming platforms before most playlist curators will consider it. Work with a reputable digital music distributor to get your music on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms.

Quality distribution ensures your music has proper metadata, is available on all major platforms, and is eligible for official playlist consideration. Some popular distribution options include:

  • DistroKid

  • CD Baby

  • TuneCore

  • AWAL

  • United Masters

Optimize Your Artist Profiles

Playlist curators often check out your artist profiles before adding your music. Make sure you have:

  • Professional Photos: High-quality artist images that represent your brand

  • Complete Bio: An engaging, well-written biography that tells your story

  • Updated Social Links: Working links to your social media accounts

  • Consistent Branding: Visual cohesion across all platforms

Having a professional musician website is also crucial for establishing credibility with playlist curators and providing a central hub for your music career.

Perfect Your Music

This might seem obvious, but it bears repeating: your music needs to be high-quality and playlist-ready:

  • Professional Production: Ensure your tracks are professionally mixed and mastered

  • Strong Opening: The first 30 seconds are crucial for playlist consideration

  • Genre Alignment: Understand what genre your music fits into for targeted submissions

  • Release Timing: Submit fresh releases rather than older tracks

Types of Playlists to Submit To

Not all playlists are created equal. Understanding the different types will help you target your submissions effectively:

Editorial Playlists

These are official playlists created by the streaming platforms themselves (like Spotify's "New Music Friday" or Apple Music's "Today's Hits"). They typically have the largest followings and are curated by in-house teams.

How to submit: For Spotify, use Spotify for Artists' playlist submission tool. For Apple Music, work through your distributor or a third-party service.

Algorithmic Playlists

These playlists are automatically generated based on user listening habits (like Spotify's "Discover Weekly" or "Release Radar"). You can't directly submit to these, but strong performance elsewhere can increase your chances of inclusion.

Independent Curator Playlists

These are playlists created by individuals, blogs, brands, or playlist companies. They range from small niche playlists to massive influential collections with hundreds of thousands of followers.

How to submit: Direct outreach, submission platforms, or through relationships with curators.

User-Generated Playlists

Regular listeners create these playlists for personal use or to share with friends. While individually they may have smaller reach, collectively they can drive significant streams.

How to submit: Social media outreach, fan engagement, and community building.

How to Submit to Spotify Playlists

As the largest music streaming platform, Spotify offers several avenues for playlist submission:

Spotify for Artists Submission Tool

This is the official channel for submitting to Spotify's editorial playlists:

  1. Create and verify your Spotify for Artists account

  2. Upload your music through a distributor at least 7 days before release

  3. Select the unreleased track in your Spotify for Artists dashboard

  4. Fill out the submission form with detailed information about your track

  5. Submit at least 7 days before your release date

Tips for effective Spotify editorial submissions:

  • Be specific about the song's mood, genre, and instruments

  • Mention any cultural relevance or special story behind the track

  • Include information about your marketing plans

  • Submit well in advance of your release date

Independent Spotify Playlist Curators

Beyond editorial playlists, thousands of independent curators manage influential Spotify playlists. Here's how to approach them:

  1. Research: Find playlists that feature music similar to yours

  2. Verify: Ensure the playlist is active with real engagement

  3. Find Contact Info: Look for the curator's email or submission form

  4. Personalize: Craft a customized pitch for each curator

  5. Follow Up: Send a polite follow-up if you don't hear back

Many curators list their contact information in the playlist description or link to submission forms.

Playlist Submission Platforms

Several platforms connect artists with playlist curators. Some popular options include:

These services typically charge fees, so research carefully before investing.

How to Submit to Apple Music Playlists

Apple Music is the second-largest streaming platform and offers valuable playlist opportunities:

Apple Music for Artists

Unlike Spotify, Apple Music doesn't have a direct submission tool for editorial playlists. However:

  1. Claim your Apple Music for Artists profile

  2. Ensure your music is distributed to Apple Music

  3. Use your distributor to highlight priority releases

Some distributors like CD Baby, AWAL, and The Orchard have direct relationships with Apple Music and can pitch tracks on your behalf.

Independent Apple Music Curators

The process for finding and pitching to Apple Music playlist curators is similar to Spotify:

  • Search for playlists in your genre on Apple Music

  • Look for curator information in playlist descriptions

  • Follow curators on social media and engage with their content

  • Send personalized pitches with Apple Music links to your music

Submitting to Other Streaming Platforms

While Spotify and Apple Music dominate the conversation, don't overlook other platforms:

Amazon Music

Submit through your distributor and use Amazon Music for Artists to monitor performance. Some distributors have direct pitching relationships with Amazon Music.

YouTube Music

Optimize your YouTube channel, use appropriate tags, and engage with playlist creators on the platform. YouTube's algorithm heavily favors engagement metrics.

Deezer

Use Deezer for Creators to manage your profile and monitor analytics. Some playlist submission services include Deezer in their offerings.

TIDAL

TIDAL doesn't offer direct submission tools, but maintaining a complete artist profile and working through your distributor can help with playlist consideration.

Crafting the Perfect Playlist Submission Pitch

Your submission pitch can make or break your playlist opportunities. Here's how to create an effective one:

Elements of a Successful Pitch

  • Personalization: Address the curator by name and reference their specific playlist

  • Brevity: Keep your email concise (150-200 words maximum)

  • Relevance: Explain why your track fits their playlist specifically

  • Streaming Links: Include direct links to your song on relevant platforms

  • Press Kit: Offer additional information for interested curators

  • Call to Action: Clearly state what you're asking for

Sample Pitch Template

Here's a template you can adapt for your submissions:

Subject: [Your Track Name] - Perfect for [Playlist Name]

Hi [Curator's Name],

I've been enjoying your playlist [Playlist Name] for some time now - [mention a specific track or aspect you genuinely appreciate].

I recently released a new [genre] track called "[Track Name]" that I believe would fit perfectly alongside [mention 2-3 artists on their playlist]. The song features [brief description of sound/vibe] and has been compared to [relevant artist comparisons].

Stream it here: [Spotify Link] / [Apple Music Link]

If you enjoy the track, I'd be honored to have it considered for [Playlist Name]. I'm happy to share it with my followers [mention your social media following if significant].

Thank you for your time and consideration,

[Your Name]
[Your Website/Social Media]

[Contact Info]

Pitch Don'ts

Avoid these common pitfalls in your submissions:

  • Mass emails with no personalization

  • Demanding or entitled language

  • Sending downloads instead of streaming links

  • Submitting music that clearly doesn't fit the playlist

  • Excessive follow-ups (once is enough)

  • Offering payment (this can violate platform terms)

Playlist Submission Services: Pros and Cons

Many artists consider using paid submission services. Here's what to consider:

Advantages of Submission Services

  • Access: Connect with curators you might not reach otherwise

  • Efficiency: Submit to multiple playlists simultaneously

  • Feedback: Some services provide curator feedback on your music

  • Analytics: Track submission performance and results

Disadvantages and Risks

  • Cost: Fees can add up quickly with no guaranteed results

  • Quality Concerns: Some services connect to low-quality or bot-driven playlists

  • Platform Violations: Some practices may violate streaming platform terms

  • Impersonal Approach: Mass submissions may be less effective than targeted pitches

If you decide to use a submission service, research thoroughly, check reviews, and start with a small investment to test results.

Building Relationships with Playlist Curators

Long-term success with playlists often comes down to building genuine relationships:

Networking Strategies

  • Social Engagement: Follow curators on social media and meaningfully engage with their content

  • Support Their Work: Share their playlists and show genuine appreciation

  • Industry Events: Attend music conferences and networking events where curators might be present

  • Collaboration: Offer value beyond just your music (interviews, content, etc.)

Long-Term Relationship Building

The most successful artists develop ongoing relationships with curators:

  • Keep curators updated on new releases (but don't spam)

  • Express gratitude when your music is added

  • Share playlist features with your audience

  • Provide exclusive content or early access when appropriate

Maximizing the Impact of Playlist Placements

Once you've secured playlist placements, leverage them for maximum benefit:

Promoting Your Playlist Features

  • Social Media: Share your playlist placements across all platforms

  • Stories/Highlights: Create dedicated content for each significant placement

  • Website: Feature playlist logos or embed playlists on your site

  • Newsletter: Share playlist successes with your email subscribers

  • Press Kit: Add notable placements to your bio and press materials

Converting Playlist Listeners to Fans

Playlist placement is just the beginning. Convert those listeners to long-term fans:

  • Ensure your artist profile is complete with follow buttons prominent

  • Have a content strategy ready for new listeners who discover you

  • Consider releasing follow-up music while you have playlist momentum

  • Use streaming analytics to target marketing to regions where playlist listeners are engaging

Common Playlist Submission Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others' mistakes to improve your submission success rate:

Timing Errors

  • Submitting too close to release date

  • Pitching old tracks instead of new releases

  • Sending follow-ups too quickly or too frequently

Targeting Mistakes

  • Submitting to playlists that don't match your genre

  • Focusing only on the biggest playlists

  • Ignoring niche or smaller playlists that might be more receptive

Presentation Problems

  • Sending broken or incorrect links

  • Pitches with spelling or grammar errors

  • Overly long or unfocused submission emails

  • Missing crucial information about your release

Creating Your Own Playlists as an Artist

Don't just submit to playlists - create your own as part of your strategy:

Benefits of Artist-Curated Playlists

  • Showcase your musical influences and taste

  • Create additional content for your followers

  • Build relationships with other artists by featuring their music

  • Establish yourself as a tastemaker in your genre

  • Create reciprocal playlist opportunities

Playlist Creation Strategies

Effective approaches to artist playlists include:

  • Influences Playlist: Share the music that inspires your sound

  • Tour Playlists: Feature your tour mates and songs that represent your tour

  • Mood Playlists: Create themed collections that include your music in context

  • Collaborative Playlists: Invite other artists to contribute to a shared playlist

Measuring Playlist Submission Success

Track your results to refine your approach over time:

Key Performance Indicators

  • Stream Growth: Increase in daily/weekly streams

  • Follower Growth: New followers gained during playlist features

  • Save Rate: Percentage of listeners who save your track

  • Discovery Rate: Percentage of new listeners

  • Playlist Adds: Number of user playlists that add your track

Analytics Tools

Use these resources to track your playlist performance:

  • Spotify for Artists dashboard

  • Apple Music for Artists

  • Third-party analytics like Chartmetric or Soundcharts

  • Your distributor's reporting tools

The Future of Playlist Submissions

The playlist landscape continues to evolve. Stay ahead with these emerging trends:

Emerging Trends

  • AI Curation: Artificial intelligence is playing a larger role in playlist creation

  • Blockchain Integration: Some platforms are exploring blockchain for transparent playlist placement

  • Interactive Playlists: User-influenced and dynamic playlists that change based on listening patterns

  • Cross-Platform Integration: Playlists that work across multiple streaming services

Adapting Your Strategy

To stay effective with playlist submissions:

  • Regularly review and update your submission approach

  • Experiment with different pitch styles and formats

  • Stay informed about platform changes and new features

  • Build a diverse playlist strategy across multiple platforms

Conclusion: Your Playlist Submission Action Plan

Successful playlist submission requires preparation, persistence, and strategic thinking. Here's your action plan:

  1. Prepare: Ensure your music and profiles are professionally presented

  2. Research: Identify playlists that genuinely fit your music

  3. Submit: Use platform tools, direct outreach, and selective services

  4. Follow Up: Send one polite follow-up if needed

  5. Leverage: Maximize the impact of any placements you receive

  6. Analyze: Track results and refine your approach

  7. Relationship Build: Focus on long-term connections with curators

Remember that playlist submission is just one part of a comprehensive music marketing strategy. Combine it with live performances, social media engagement, and other promotional efforts for the best results.

By approaching playlist submissions strategically and professionally, you'll maximize your chances of success and build valuable relationships that can benefit your music career for years to come.

Ready to take your music career to the next level? Start by ensuring you have a professional musician website and proper music distribution in place before launching your playlist submission campaign.

‹ submit music to spotify playlists

apple music playlist submission ›