How to Submit to Spotify Playlists for Free: The Complete Guide
Getting your music featured on Spotify playlists can be a game-changer for independent artists. With over 489 million active users worldwide, Spotify offers unprecedented exposure opportunities that can launch careers and build dedicated fan bases. But how do you submit to Spotify playlists for free when you're an independent artist with limited resources?
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about submitting your music to Spotify playlists without spending a dime. From official Spotify channels to third-party curators, we'll cover all the legitimate free methods to get your music heard by new audiences.
Whether you're a bedroom producer or an established indie artist, these strategies will help you navigate the playlist submission process and increase your chances of getting those coveted playlist placements.
Why Spotify Playlist Placements Matter
Before diving into submission strategies, let's understand why Spotify playlists are so valuable:
Exposure to new listeners: Playlists introduce your music to people who might never have discovered you otherwise.
Streaming revenue: More streams mean more royalties, even if the per-stream rate is modest.
Algorithm boost: Getting on playlists can trigger Spotify's algorithm to recommend your music to similar listeners.
Industry credibility: Playlist placements serve as social proof that your music is worth attention.
Fan growth: Listeners who discover you through playlists may become long-term fans.
With these benefits in mind, let's explore how to submit your music to Spotify playlists without spending money.
Official Free Methods to Submit to Spotify Playlists
1. Spotify for Artists: Pitch to Editorial Playlists
The most direct and official way to submit to Spotify playlists for free is through the Spotify for Artists platform. This powerful tool allows you to pitch unreleased music directly to Spotify's editorial team for playlist consideration.
Here's how to use this feature:
Create a Spotify for Artists account: If you haven't already, claim your artist profile at artists.spotify.com.
Upload your music: Your tracks need to be distributed to Spotify before you can pitch them. You can use services like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore to get your music on Spotify. Many offer affordable distribution options for independent artists. For more information on distribution options, check out this guide on independent music distribution options for indie artists.
Submit your track: Once your music is scheduled for release (but not yet live), you'll see a "Pitch a Song" option in your Spotify for Artists dashboard.
Fill out the pitch form: Provide detailed information about your track, including:
Genre and subgenre
Mood
Instruments featured
Song culture/language
Any additional information that helps editors understand your music
Submit at least 7 days before release: This gives editors time to review your submission.
Pro Tips for Spotify Editorial Submissions:
Be specific and honest when describing your music.
Submit well in advance of your release date (ideally 2-4 weeks).
Ensure your track metadata is complete and accurate.
Don't resubmit the same track multiple times.
Focus on your best work – quality over quantity.
While there's no guarantee of placement, this direct line to Spotify's editorial team is completely free and should be your first stop when looking to get playlisted.
2. Spotify Radio Algorithm
While not a direct submission method, Spotify's algorithm creates personalized radio stations based on user listening habits. When your song performs well with its initial listeners, the algorithm may include it in these auto-generated playlists.
To optimize for algorithmic playlists:
Encourage fans to save your tracks to their libraries.
Ask listeners to follow you on Spotify.
Promote your music to generate initial streams.
Create your own playlists featuring your music alongside similar artists.
The more engagement your music receives, the more likely Spotify's algorithm will recommend it to new listeners.
Finding and Submitting to Independent Curators for Free
1. SubmitHub (Free Tier)
SubmitHub connects artists with playlist curators, blogs, and influencers. While they offer a premium service, they also have a free submission option:
You get a limited number of free submissions per day.
Curators must respond within 48 hours.
You'll receive feedback on your submission.
The free tier has a lower response rate than premium submissions, but it's still a legitimate way to reach curators without spending money.
2. Direct Outreach to Playlist Curators
Many independent playlist curators are open to direct submissions. Here's how to find and approach them:
Find relevant playlists: Search Spotify for playlists in your genre that feature independent artists similar to you.
Identify the curator: Look for the username of the playlist creator.
Find contact information: Many curators include contact details in the playlist description or link to their social media profiles.
Craft a personalized message: When reaching out, be respectful, specific about why your music fits their playlist, and keep your message concise.
Example outreach message:
Hi [Curator Name],
I've been following your playlist [Playlist Name] for some time and love how you showcase emerging [genre] artists like [example artist]. I recently released a track called "[Track Name]" that I believe would fit perfectly between [artist] and [artist] on your list.
Here's the Spotify link: [link]
I'd be honored if you'd consider it for your playlist. Either way, I'll continue enjoying your excellent curation.
Thanks for your time,
[Your Name]
3. Reddit and Music Communities
Several subreddits and online communities welcome music submissions and can connect you with playlist curators:
Always read and follow community rules before posting. Many have specific submission formats or dedicated threads for sharing music.
4. SoundPlate
SoundPlate offers free submissions to their curated Spotify playlists. Their submission process is straightforward:
Visit their website and navigate to "Submit Music"
Choose the appropriate genre playlist
Fill out the submission form with your track details
While they can't guarantee placement, they review all submissions and don't charge for the service.
Creating Your Own Spotify Playlists
One often overlooked strategy is creating and promoting your own playlists. This approach gives you complete control and helps you build relationships with other artists:
1. Themed Playlists Featuring Your Music
Create playlists centered around themes, moods, or genres that include your music alongside established artists. For example:
"Emerging Indie Folk Voices of 2023"
"Perfect Late Night Study Beats"
"Summer Road Trip Anthems"
Place your tracks strategically among similar, more well-known songs. This creates context for new listeners and increases the chances they'll enjoy your music.
2. Collaborative Playlists
Reach out to other independent artists in your genre to create collaborative playlists:
Create a playlist and make it collaborative.
Invite similar artists to add their tracks.
Establish guidelines (e.g., each artist can add 2-3 tracks).
Have everyone promote the playlist to their followers.
This multiplies your reach as each contributor promotes the playlist to their audience.
3. Local Scene Playlists
Create playlists showcasing artists from your local music scene. This builds community and often results in reciprocal support:
"Best of [Your City] Indie Scene"
"[Your Genre] Artists from [Your Region]"
Local music publications, venues, and radio stations might help promote these playlists, expanding your reach.
Maximizing Your Chances of Playlist Acceptance
Whether you're submitting to official Spotify playlists or independent curators, these strategies will improve your chances of getting accepted:
1. Perfect Your Spotify Profile
Before submitting anywhere, ensure your Spotify profile is complete and professional:
High-quality profile picture: Use a clear, professional image that represents your brand.
Compelling bio: Write an engaging, error-free biography that tells your story.
Social links: Connect all your social media accounts.
Updated discography: Make sure all your releases are properly categorized.
Artist playlist section: Create and feature your own playlists.
A professional profile signals to curators that you take your music career seriously. Having a strong online presence is crucial - consider creating a dedicated website for your music using one of these free platforms to build your online presence as a musician.
2. Focus on Track Quality
This might seem obvious, but it bears repeating: the single most important factor in playlist placement is the quality of your music.
Invest in professional (or professional-sounding) production.
Ensure your mix and master are competitive with commercial releases.
Get objective feedback before releasing.
Consider releasing fewer, better tracks rather than more frequent, lower-quality releases.
3. Build Momentum Before Submitting
Curators are more likely to add tracks that already show some traction:
Promote your release to your existing fans first.
Ask friends and family to stream (and save) your track legitimately.
Run small social media campaigns to generate initial streams.
Time your submissions after you've generated some organic activity.
A track with 500 legitimate streams looks more promising to a curator than one with 5 streams.
4. Research Before Submitting
Don't submit blindly to every playlist you find. Instead:
Listen to playlists before submitting to understand their style.
Check if they feature artists at your career stage.
Note the production quality of included tracks.
Identify which of your songs best matches each playlist's vibe.
Targeted submissions to relevant playlists yield much better results than mass submissions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
When submitting to Spotify playlists for free, be aware of these common mistakes:
1. Paid Services Disguised as "Free" Opportunities
Be wary of services that promise guaranteed playlist placement for "free" but then:
Require you to pay for "expedited review"
Ask for payment to "maintain" your placement
Charge for "premium" features necessary for success
Legitimate free submission opportunities won't bait-and-switch you with hidden fees.
2. Artificial Streaming Services
Never use services that offer to artificially inflate your streams through bots or click farms. This violates Spotify's terms of service and can result in:
Your music being removed from the platform
Your artist account being terminated
Permanent blacklisting from Spotify
Build your streaming numbers legitimately, even if it takes longer.
3. Spamming Curators
Repeatedly messaging the same curators or sending mass, impersonal pitches can damage your reputation. The playlist curation community is smaller than you might think, and word spreads about artists who don't respect curators' time.
4. Neglecting Follow-Up
If a curator adds your track, don't disappear. Show appreciation by:
Thanking them personally
Sharing their playlist with your followers
Engaging with their content on social media
Building relationships with curators can lead to ongoing support for future releases.
Free Tools to Support Your Playlist Submission Strategy
These free tools can help optimize your playlist submission efforts:
1. Spotify for Artists App
Beyond the pitch tool mentioned earlier, the Spotify for Artists app provides valuable insights:
Track which playlists are featuring your music
Monitor listener demographics
Analyze song performance
Identify your most engaged listeners by location
Use these insights to refine your submission strategy over time.
2. Chartmetric (Free Tier)
Chartmetric offers a limited free tier that helps you:
Discover playlists in your genre
Track playlist adds and removes
Monitor your Spotify ranking
The free version provides enough functionality to support basic playlist research.
3. Social Media Management Tools
Free versions of tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Later can help you promote your music and playlists consistently across platforms, increasing your visibility to potential curators.
Success Stories: Artists Who Grew Through Free Playlist Submissions
Many successful independent artists built their careers through strategic playlist placements without big budgets:
Case Study: Bedroom Pop Artists
Artists like Girl in Red, Clairo, and Beabadoobee initially grew their audiences through playlist placements they secured through free submissions and organic growth. Their strategies typically included:
Consistent releases with distinctive styles
Active engagement in online music communities
Strategic use of Spotify for Artists pitch tool
Building relationships with independent curators
These artists proved that major label budgets aren't necessary to build substantial streaming audiences.
Indie Success Through Algorithmic Playlists
Many artists have found that getting onto smaller, human-curated playlists first led to algorithmic playlist placements later. This "snowball effect" occurs when:
Your track gets added to several independent playlists
Listeners engage positively with your music (saving, sharing, etc.)
Spotify's algorithm notices this engagement
Your track gets recommended to similar listeners
Eventually, it may land on algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly or Release Radar
This path to success is accessible to any artist making quality music, regardless of budget.
Measuring Your Playlist Submission Success
How do you know if your free submission strategy is working? Track these metrics:
1. Playlist Additions
Monitor which playlists add your music and track:
Number of playlists featuring your tracks
Total followers across all playlists
Types of playlists (editorial, algorithmic, independent curator)
Average duration your tracks stay on playlists
2. Streaming Metrics
Beyond raw stream counts, pay attention to:
Save ratio: The percentage of listeners who save your track after streaming
Skip rate: How often listeners skip your track before it finishes
Completion rate: The percentage of listeners who finish your track
Listener-to-follower conversion: How many new listeners become followers
These engagement metrics often matter more than total streams for long-term growth.
3. Source of Streams
Spotify for Artists shows where your streams are coming from:
Listener's own playlists
Your artist profile
Algorithmic recommendations
Editorial playlists
User-generated playlists
A healthy distribution across these sources indicates sustainable growth rather than temporary playlist spikes.
Conclusion: Patience and Persistence Pay Off
Submitting to Spotify playlists for free requires more effort than paying for playlist placement services, but it builds a more sustainable foundation for your music career. The organic growth that comes from legitimate playlist placements tends to create more engaged listeners who are likely to become true fans.
Remember these key takeaways:
Always start with the official Spotify for Artists pitch tool
Build relationships with independent curators through respectful, personalized outreach
Create and promote your own playlists to showcase your music
Focus on quality over quantity in both your music and submissions
Track your results and refine your approach over time
With consistency, quality music, and strategic submissions, you can build a significant presence on Spotify playlists without spending money on promotion. The free path may take longer, but it often leads to more meaningful and sustainable growth for your music career.
Start implementing these strategies today, and remember that every successful artist began with those crucial first playlist placements. Your music deserves to be heard, and with these free submission strategies, you can connect with the listeners who will appreciate it most.