How to Submit to Spotify Playlists: The Ultimate Guide for Independent Artists
For independent musicians, getting your music featured on Spotify playlists can be a game-changer. Playlist placement can significantly boost your streams, grow your fanbase, and increase your visibility in the competitive music landscape. But how exactly do you submit to Spotify playlists effectively? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Spotify playlist submission strategies that actually work.
Whether you're looking to get on Spotify's editorial playlists, connect with third-party curators, or leverage playlist pitching services, we've got you covered with actionable tips and insider knowledge to help your music reach new listeners.
Why Spotify Playlist Placement Matters for Musicians
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.
Increased streaming numbers: A single placement on a popular playlist can generate thousands of streams.
Algorithm boost: More streams and saves from playlists can trigger Spotify's algorithm to recommend your music to even more listeners.
Industry credibility: Playlist placements can catch the attention of labels, booking agents, and other industry professionals.
Revenue generation: More streams translate directly to more royalty payments.
According to recent statistics, over 31% of all listening time on Spotify happens through playlists. That's a massive opportunity you can't afford to miss.
Types of Spotify Playlists You Can Submit To
Not all Spotify playlists are created equal. Understanding the different types will help you target your submission efforts more effectively:
Spotify Editorial Playlists
These are the official playlists created and maintained by Spotify's in-house team of curators. They include genre-specific playlists like "RapCaviar," mood playlists like "Chill Vibes," and activity playlists like "Workout Essentials." These playlists typically have the largest followings and can generate the most streams.
Algorithmic Playlists
These include personalized playlists like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mix. They're automatically generated based on listener behavior and preferences. While you can't directly submit to these, increasing your overall Spotify presence can help you appear in them more frequently.
Independent Curator Playlists
These are playlists created by individuals, blogs, brands, and other third parties. They range from small, niche playlists with a few hundred followers to massive playlists with hundreds of thousands of followers. The barrier to entry is often lower than editorial playlists, making them a great starting point.
User-Generated Playlists
These are playlists created by regular Spotify users. While many have small followings, some user playlists have grown to have thousands or even tens of thousands of followers.
How to Submit to Spotify Editorial Playlists
Getting on Spotify's editorial playlists is often seen as the holy grail for independent artists. Here's how to maximize your chances:
Using Spotify for Artists
The most direct way to submit to Spotify's editorial playlists is through the Spotify for Artists platform:
Create a Spotify for Artists account if you don't already have one. You'll need to claim your artist profile and verify your identity.
Plan your release in advance. You need to submit your track at least 7 days before the release date (but no more than 3 weeks before).
Upload your music through a digital music distributor like DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore.
Access the submission form in your Spotify for Artists dashboard under the "Music" tab and then "Upcoming."
Fill out the submission form thoroughly. Include as much detailed information as possible about your track, including:
Primary genre and subgenre
Moods that describe your track
Instruments featured
Song culture and language
Any additional information that might help curators understand your music
Submit your track and wait for the release date. Spotify doesn't notify artists if they've been selected for playlists, so you'll need to check your Spotify for Artists dashboard after release to see if you've been included.
Tips to Improve Your Editorial Playlist Submission
While there's no guaranteed formula for getting on editorial playlists, these tips can improve your chances:
Build your profile first. Editors are more likely to playlist artists who already have some traction. Focus on growing your monthly listeners and follower count.
Be specific with your metadata. The more accurate and detailed your genre and mood tags are, the better chance you have of reaching the right curator.
Tell your story. Use the submission form to share relevant information about the track, your inspiration, or any notable achievements.
Release regularly. Consistent releases keep you on Spotify's radar and give you more opportunities for playlist consideration.
Promote your releases. Showing Spotify that your music generates engagement right after release can increase your chances of playlist inclusion.
Ensure high-quality production. Editorial playlists feature professionally produced music, so make sure your tracks are well-mixed and mastered.
How to Find and Submit to Independent Curator Playlists
Independent curator playlists offer more accessible opportunities for emerging artists. Here's how to find and submit to them:
Finding Relevant Playlists
Before you can submit, you need to identify playlists that are a good fit for your music:
Search for similar artists. Look up artists in your genre with a similar sound and see what playlists they appear on.
Use Spotify's search function. Search for keywords related to your genre, mood, or style to find relevant playlists.
Explore playlist discovery tools like Chartmetric, PlaylistSupply, or Playlist Radar that can help you find playlists in your niche.
Check music blogs and websites. Many music blogs maintain Spotify playlists featuring artists they cover.
Join music communities on Reddit, Facebook, or Discord where curators and artists share playlist opportunities.
Researching Playlist Curators
Once you've identified potential playlists, do your homework:
Verify the playlist is active. Check when it was last updated. Playlists that haven't been updated in months are unlikely to add new music.
Assess the playlist quality. Look for playlists with genuine engagement rather than those that seem to be using artificial methods to inflate follower counts.
Find the curator's contact information. Look in the playlist description for links to submission forms, email addresses, or social media profiles.
Research the curator's preferences. Listen to the playlist to understand what kind of music they feature and whether your track would be a good fit.
Making an Effective Playlist Submission
When reaching out to playlist curators, follow these best practices:
Personalize your outreach. Address the curator by name and reference specific aspects of their playlist that you appreciate.
Keep it concise. Curators receive many submissions, so be respectful of their time with a brief, well-crafted pitch.
Include streaming links. Make it easy for curators to listen to your music by including Spotify links (not download links or attachments).
Highlight what makes your track playlist-worthy. Briefly explain why your track would be a good addition to their specific playlist.
Include relevant information. Mention any notable achievements, press coverage, or streaming milestones that add credibility.
Follow submission guidelines. If a curator has specific submission requirements, follow them exactly.
Offer value. Mention that you're willing to share the playlist with your followers if your track is added.
Sample Outreach Template
Here's a template you can customize for your playlist submissions:
Subject: [Your Artist Name] - [Track Title] for [Playlist Name]
Hi [Curator's Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I've been following your playlist [Playlist Name] for some time now and really enjoy the [specific quality] of the tracks you curate.
I recently released a new [genre] track called "[Track Title]" that I believe would fit well alongside artists like [mention 2-3 artists already on their playlist]. The song is about [brief description] and features [any notable elements].
You can listen to it here: [Spotify Link]
[Optional: Brief mention of any achievements or press coverage]
If you decide to add it to your playlist, I'd be happy to share it with my [number] followers across my social platforms.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Website/Social Media]
Using Playlist Pitching Services and Submission Tools
If you want to scale your playlist submission efforts, there are various services and tools designed to help:
Playlist Pitching Services
These are companies that submit your music to their network of playlist curators for a fee:
SubmitHub: A popular platform that connects artists with playlist curators, music bloggers, and influencers. You can submit to hundreds of curators for a small fee per submission.
Playlist Push: Specializes in connecting artists with Spotify playlist curators. They offer targeted campaigns based on your genre.
Musosoup: A platform that connects independent artists with bloggers, playlist curators, and radio stations.
Daily Playlists: Allows you to submit your tracks to playlist curators for free, with premium options available.
PlaylistSupply: Provides contact information for playlist curators so you can reach out directly.
Pros and Cons of Paid Services
Pros:
Saves time by handling outreach for you
Provides access to curators you might not find on your own
Often includes feedback from curators
Can scale your submission efforts quickly
Cons:
Can be expensive, especially for emerging artists
No guarantees of placement
Quality and legitimacy of playlists can vary
Some services may work with playlists that use artificial methods to inflate numbers
Avoiding Scams and Low-Quality Services
Unfortunately, the playlist submission space includes some questionable services. Here's how to avoid getting scammed:
Be wary of guarantees. No legitimate service can guarantee placement on specific playlists.
Research the company. Look for reviews from other artists and check their reputation in music communities.
Avoid services that own the playlists. This often indicates a network of low-engagement playlists created solely for profit.
Check for transparency. Legitimate services will be upfront about their process and which playlists they work with.
Start small. Test a service with a small campaign before investing more heavily.
Avoid services that require you to follow playlists. This is against Spotify's terms of service and can get your account flagged.
Building Relationships with Playlist Curators
Beyond one-off submissions, building genuine relationships with playlist curators can lead to long-term support for your music:
Networking Strategies
Engage with curators on social media. Follow them, like and comment on their posts, and share their playlists.
Attend industry events where you might meet playlist curators in person.
Offer value first. Share their playlists, provide thoughtful feedback, or connect them with other artists before asking for anything.
Collaborate on content. Offer to do an interview or guest post for their blog or social media.
Be patient and persistent. Building relationships takes time, so focus on genuine connections rather than immediate results.
Following Up Appropriately
After submitting to a curator:
Wait at least 1-2 weeks before following up.
Keep follow-ups brief and polite. Simply ask if they've had a chance to listen to your submission.
Limit follow-ups to one or two. If you don't hear back after a second follow-up, move on.
Express gratitude whether they add your track or not. Thank them for their time and consideration.
If your track is added, show appreciation by sharing the playlist and engaging with their other content.
Optimizing Your Spotify Profile for Playlist Consideration
Your Spotify profile itself plays a crucial role in playlist placement. Here's how to optimize it:
Creating an Appealing Artist Profile
Use high-quality profile images. Your profile picture and banner should be professional and reflect your brand.
Write a compelling bio. Keep it concise but informative, highlighting your unique style and achievements.
Add your social media links to make it easy for curators to learn more about you.
Create and maintain your own playlists. This shows engagement with the platform and can attract followers.
Keep your discography organized with clear single, EP, and album designations.
Building Your Spotify Presence
Before focusing heavily on playlist submissions, work on building your overall Spotify presence:
Grow your follower count. Encourage your existing fans on other platforms to follow you on Spotify.
Promote your Spotify profile on your musician website and social media channels.
Create "pre-save" campaigns for new releases to generate day-one streams.
Engage with Spotify's features like Canvas (looping visuals) and Storyline to make your profile more dynamic.
Analyze your Spotify for Artists data to understand which of your tracks perform best and why.
Creating Playlist-Friendly Music
While you should always stay true to your artistic vision, certain characteristics make songs more "playlist-friendly":
Musical Elements That Perform Well on Playlists
Strong intros. Songs that grab attention in the first 30 seconds tend to perform better on playlists.
Clear genre alignment. Tracks that clearly fit within established genres are easier for curators to place.
Consistent energy levels. Dramatic shifts in energy can disrupt playlist flow, making curators less likely to include your track.
Appropriate track length. Songs between 2-4 minutes typically perform best on playlists.
High-quality production. Professional mixing and mastering are essential for playlist consideration.
Memorable hooks. Catchy elements increase the likelihood of listeners saving your track.
Release Strategies for Playlist Success
How you release your music can impact your playlist opportunities:
Release singles before albums. Singles are more playlist-friendly and give you multiple opportunities for playlist placement.
Plan a consistent release schedule. Regular releases keep you on curators' radar.
Consider timing. Avoid releasing during major holidays or when many big artists are dropping new music.
Build momentum with pre-release marketing. Generate buzz before your release to show curators there's interest in your music.
Coordinate social media with release dates. Active promotion signals to curators that you're serious about your music career.
Leveraging Data to Improve Your Playlist Strategy
Use analytics to refine your approach to playlist submissions:
Tracking Your Playlist Performance
Monitor your Spotify for Artists dashboard to see which playlists are featuring your music.
Track listener demographics to understand who's engaging with your music.
Analyze save rates and skip rates to gauge how well your music resonates with playlist listeners.
Note which of your tracks perform best on playlists and identify common elements.
Use third-party analytics tools like Chartmetric or Soundcharts for deeper insights.
Adjusting Your Strategy Based on Results
Use the data you collect to optimize your approach:
Focus on playlist types that work for you. If you're finding success with mood-based playlists, prioritize those in future submissions.
Refine your targeting. Use listener demographic data to identify the most relevant playlists for your audience.
Adjust your music if patterns emerge. If tracks with certain characteristics consistently perform better, consider those elements in future productions.
Double down on successful relationships. Nurture connections with curators who have supported your music in the past.
Reallocate resources. Invest more in submission strategies that show results and less in those that don't.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting to Spotify Playlists
Learn from these frequent pitfalls:
Mass-emailing curators with generic messages. Personalization is key.
Submitting to irrelevant playlists. Quality targeting beats quantity of submissions.
Neglecting to follow submission guidelines. Each curator may have specific requirements.
Being too pushy or demanding. Remember that curators are doing you a favor, not the other way around.
Submitting unfinished or poorly produced music. First impressions matter.
Paying for guaranteed placements. This often violates Spotify's terms and can lead to low-quality placements.
Focusing solely on follower count. A smaller, engaged playlist can be more valuable than a large, inactive one.
Giving up too quickly. Playlist success often requires persistence and patience.
Success Stories: Artists Who Built Their Careers Through Playlist Placement
For inspiration, consider these artists who leveraged Spotify playlists to launch their careers:
Lauv gained massive exposure when his track "I Like Me Better" was added to several major Spotify playlists, eventually leading to over a billion streams.
Tones and I saw her hit "Dance Monkey" explode after playlist placements, becoming one of the most streamed songs in Spotify history.
Clairo built her following through bedroom pop playlists before signing to a major label.
Jeremy Zucker gained traction through chill playlists that aligned perfectly with his sound.
girl in red found her audience through LGBTQ+ and indie playlists, building a dedicated fanbase.
What these success stories have in common is consistency, quality music, and strategic playlist targeting that aligned with their unique sound.
Beyond Spotify: Expanding Your Playlist Strategy to Other Platforms
While Spotify is the largest streaming platform, don't overlook other services:
Other Streaming Platforms to Consider
Apple Music has a growing playlist ecosystem and its own submission process through Apple Music for Artists.
Amazon Music offers playlist opportunities through their "Breakthrough" program.
YouTube Music features both algorithmic and curated playlists.
Deezer has editorial playlists with significant followings in certain markets.
Tidal offers high-quality audio and playlists that often feature independent artists.
Cross-Platform Promotion Strategies
Maximize your impact across platforms:
Create a consistent release strategy across all streaming services.
Customize your approach for each platform's unique features and audience.
Leverage playlist success on one platform to pitch to similar playlists on others.
Promote all your streaming profiles equally to build a diverse listener base.
Consider platform-exclusive content to drive followers to specific services.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Playlist Strategy
Successful playlist submission isn't about quick wins—it's about building a sustainable approach that grows with your career:
Focus on creating great music first. No submission strategy can compensate for music that doesn't connect with listeners.
Build genuine relationships with curators and fans rather than viewing them as merely transactional.
Be patient and persistent. Playlist success rarely happens overnight.
Diversify your approach by combining direct submissions, networking, and selective use of submission services.
Use playlist placement as one part of a broader music marketing strategy that includes social media, live performances, and other promotional efforts.
Stay authentic to your artistic vision while being strategic about how you present your music.
Remember that playlist placement is a means to an end—building a sustainable career and connecting with genuine fans who love your music. By approaching playlist submission with professionalism, persistence, and a focus on quality, you'll maximize your chances of success in the streaming ecosystem.
With the strategies outlined in this guide, you're well-equipped to navigate the world of Spotify playlists and use them as a powerful tool to grow your music career. Start implementing these approaches today, and you'll be on your way to reaching new listeners and expanding your audience through the power of playlists.
Need more help with your music career? Check out our guides on building a free musician website and choosing the best independent music distribution service to further enhance your online presence and reach.