For independent artists, submitting a song to Spotify playlists can greatly increase exposure and boost engagement and listeners. With the rise of music-streaming services, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, getting your music included in a popular playlist can be a game-changer for emerging artists. Contrary to popular belief, editorial playlists are not just destined for popular music and what is trending. The playlist submission feature on Spotify for Artists is meant to give everyone a chance- even indie music. Between editorial playlists, algorithmic playlists, and user-generated playlists, there are lots of opportunities to boost your streams. With the right strategy and persistence, you can get your music on Spotify playlists and grow your fanbase. Here is everything you need to know about Spotify playlist submission!
1. How to submit a song to Spotify editorial playlists
1.1 Sign up for Spotify for Artists
The first thing you need to do to submit a song to Spotify editorial playlists is to claim your Spotify for Artists profile. You won’t be able to pitch a Spotify playlist submission if you don’t have access to this platform! All you need to do is go to their website and create an account that will be linked to your Spotify artist profile. You will then have to verify your identity to get access to the Spotify for Artists platform. Once you have access to your dashboard, you will be able to see streaming analytics and demographic data. Most importantly, you’ll be able to pitch your music directly to editorial playlists! In the music section under upcoming releases, you’ll have the option to pitch your unreleased track before it comes out.
1.2 Craft a highly accurate pitch
When pitching your track to the editorial team, it’s important to craft a highly accurate pitch. Spotify curators receive so many pitches every day that it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. You only have 500 characters to convince them to listen to your track, so let’s be catchy, precise and efficient. You want to keep your pitch concise but specific, being clear about the genres and style of the song.
This is where metadata is important: you will need to select details such as which instruments are used and the mood of the track. In your pitch, you can add interesting details about the story or composition to catch the curators attention. To take it a step further, research editorial playlists that you think would be a good fit for your music and let them know in your pitch. What makes your song unique or what makes you stand out as an artist?
1.3 When should you pitch your music to editorial playlists?
Spotify for Artists recommends pitching over 7 days before release. Which means you need to have set up the distribution of your track or album even before so it becomes available in the “Upcoming Releases” of Spotify for Artists. An important thing is that you can’t pitch a track to editorial playlists that’s already been released, even if it gets re-released through an album after being released as a single.
Is your track already released? Don’t worry, you’ll be able to pitch independent playlists (see below)
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2. How to get into Spotify algorithmic playlists
2.1 Generate data
Unlike Spotify editorial playlists, you cannot pitch your song to algorithmic playlists. Spotify playlist submission doesn’t exist for these kinds of playlists. To get into algorithmic playlists, you need to generate data and get noticed by the Spotify algorithm. When lots of people listen to your track, add it to different playlists, or share it outside of Spotify, the algorithm notices. The more streams you have, the more streams you’ll get. It’s like a snowball effect. If your song is generating lots of data, Spotify will be able to then target new audiences of people who may like your music.
For example, you know that section “Fans Also Like” on an artist’s Spotify profile? If a new artist has just released their first single ever, they won’t yet have this section on their page. There hasn’t been enough data collected to figure out similar artists. Once you generate enough data, you’ll hopefully end up in other people’s Discover Weekly playlists who listen to similar artists.
2.2 Ask people to follow you on Spotify
In addition to generating data, it’s important to ask people to follow you on Spotify. Reach out to your community on social media and ask them to subscribe. When people follow your profile, your new releases will automatically show up in their algorithmic playlist Release Radar.
3. How to submit to Spotify user-generated playlists
3.1 Find them online through similar artists
There are many popular Spotify playlists that are user-generated. You don’t need to land an editorial playlist to boost your streams; a user-generated playlist with a big following could be great for your career! To find user-generated playlists that fit with your style of music, do some research online and on Spotify by checking out similar artists. On an artist’s Spotify page, you can see what playlists they have been featured in. Let’s say you make French Indie Pop music. Check out other artists in your genre and see what user-generated playlists they have been featured in! Look up these playlists online and see if they accept open submissions. Don’t hesitate to send an email or reach out to get your track featured!
3.2 Check out playlist curators on Groover
If you want to directly contact playlist curators with a guaranteed response, reach out to them on Groover. Groover is an innovative platform that connects artists directly with music industry professionals for just 2 euros per track. If you don’t get a response within 7 days, you get your money back to send to another influencer of your choosing! On Groover, there are many different industry professionals making curated playlists, providing a source for music lovers to find new music. Getting your track into one of them can help you stand out from the millions of songs available on platform!
3.3 Pitch your song
When you pitch your song to user-generated playlists, you should use the same logic as you do with editorial playlists. Keep in mind, however, that you are not pitching a Spotify playlist submission curator, but rather someone like you or I who curates playlists. Be concise and specific and make sure you include any details that will entice the reader to listen. Make sure to take a personal approach- music industry professionals are used to receiving generic mass emails- and you will increase your chances of getting a response.
3.4 When should you pitch your music to editorial playlists?
We highly recommend pitching your music to independent playlist curators on release day or after. Whether you use Groover for guaranteed response or send them a message directly, the independent playlist curators will thus have directly access to the Spotify URL release, which doesn’t exist before. Otherwise, you take the risk they won’t take into consideration your request since they can’t add the track to their playlist instantly in case they like it. Independent Spotify playlist curators tend to have a quick turnaround to add their tracks to their playlists once they listen to it and appreciate it.
4. How to increase your chances of getting featured in Spotify playlists
4.1 Keep your Spotify algorithm active
One of the best things you can do to increase your chances of getting into Spotify playlists is to keep the algorithm active. The more often you release new music, the more engagement you will have on your profile. Nowadays, more and more artists are using the Waterfall Strategy to release successive singles and keep the momentum of their project going. This strategy also favors the Spotify algorithm, bringing listeners back to your profile more often.
4.2 Making good music
This should be obvious, but making good music is key in getting featured in Spotify playlists. Make sure that you put in the time and effort into recording and producing high quality tracks. Really perfect your signature sound and release music that is authentic and adds something new to the conversation.
4.3 Know your musical style and target playlist curators
When defining your signature style, it’s just as important to be able to talk about the kind of music you make. If you don’t know how to properly pitch your project, you’re going to have a hard time promoting it! Become familiar with the musical landscape of your genre if you aren’t already. Target playlist curators that are looking for something new to share with their listeners. Think about how you discover new music: do you listen to music on radio stations to find new artists? Maybe that radio station has a Spotify playlist where they let you listen to music they’ve been diffusing on the airwaves.
4.4 Pitch your music at the right time
When submitting your own music to editorial playlists on Spotify, the earlier the better. Some sources say that you should pitch to the editorial team at least 4-5 weeks before the release date to raise your chances of landing in a playlist. Of course if your distribution is slow, you may not see your release uploaded on your dashboard this far ahead of time. Make sure you pitch at least one week in advance so that your track will show up in your followers Release Radar playlist. For user-generated playlists, we recommend pitching the track when it is released and just after. Just because you didn’t land in any playlists on release day doesn’t mean you should stop there! Music promotion happens before, during, and after your releases.
4.5 Submit your music through Groover
Are you tired of sending emails to playlist curators and never getting a response? Submit your music directly to playlist curators on Groover and get a response within 7 days. You’ll be able to seek out playlist curators that are right for your project based on genre and location. You’ll also be able to see the statistics of how many submissions they’ve received and the percentage of tracks they accepted. At best, you’ll get into their playlist! And if not, you’ll receive constructive criticism on why your track didn’t quite fit their editorial line. Good luck and happy playlist hunting!
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