How to Submit Your Music to Spotify Playlists?

Spotify has over 600 million dynamic users worldwide! This makes it one of the biggest playback platforms for music suggestions and discovery. Hence, you need to know how to submit music to Spotify Playlists as an artist.

A well-placed Spotify playlist can reveal your track to new listeners and increase your streams. These metrics are useful for building a loyal fanbase. In this article, you will discover how to submit your unreleased and released songs to a Spotify playlist.

You need a well-planned spotify marketing strategy when you upload a new song to Spotify. Don’t wait for your tracks to be heard or discovered by accident without pushing them.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the three types of Spotify playlists before you start submitting your music.
• Set up your Spotify for Artists account and submit your track at least 7 days before release.
• Send a personalized pitch to user-generated playlist curators for better chances.
• Avoid common submission mistakes like incomplete metadata and last-minute pitching.

Types of Spotify playlists

Explore the different types of playlists available on Spotify below.

1. Editorial playlists

Spotify’s editorial teams are in charge of editorial playlists. They review and pick high-quality music for specific audiences and moods.

Popular examples include RapCaviar, New Music Friday, and Today’s Top Hits. Landing a placement on these popular playlists can expose your song to millions of listeners and boost Spotify streams almost overnight. This can generate significant streams almost overnight.

2. Algorithmic playlists

Algorithmic playlists are usually generated by Spotify’s algorithm based on listeners’ behavior. It depends heavily on listeners’ habits and music tastes. Examples include Release Radar, Discover Weekly, and Daily Mix.

You cannot directly submit your track for consideration. However, Spotify may feature your music when users regularly listen, save, share, and engage with your content.

3. User-generated playlists

Every day, Spotify users or playlist curators can create user-generated playlists (UGP). Some influencers and music enthusiasts can also generate such playlists. UGPs vary greatly in size, genres, and audience reach.

Getting featured on several relevant playlists can promote your playlist music to attract more followers. It can also increase your chances of being picked up by algorithmic playlists over time.

What you need before submitting your music to Spotify

You must tick all the checkers below to successfully submit your music to Spotify.

1. A Spotify for Artists account

As an artist, you can pitch your music directly to Spotify’s editorial teams through your Spotify for Artists account. You can claim and manage your profile through artists.spotify.com on both web and mobile.

You cannot submit your tracks for editorial reviews without a verified Spotify for Artists account. This means you cannot access the playlist submission feature as well.

2. Your track is ready before release

Spotify only accepts unreleased music for editorial playlists consideration. You cannot submit a live track for editorial reviews.

Schedule your release date in advance and prepare everything before the release date. For example, if your release date is July 30, submit your song several days or even a week earlier.

3. Your music details and metadata

Spotify will request your music details and its context to accept your track. This includes your track genres, instruments, language, and recording location. You must also submit your promotional details.

Accurate and complete metadata helps Spotify’s editorial teams better understand your sound. This enables your song to match related Spotify playlists. It exposes it to an interested listener.

How to submit music to Spotify editorial playlists

Follow the steps below to submit your music to Spotify editorial playlists.

Step 1: Log in to your Spotify for Artists account on your desktop browser. Navigate to your profile. Begin the playlist submission process.

Step 2: Scroll to your Music tab and select Upcoming to view your unreleased songs that are eligible for submission.

Step 3: Choose the track you want to pitch from your upcoming release. Only unreleased songs qualify for consideration.

Step 4: Provide your music information. Include its genres, mood, story, and your promotional plans. This will help the editors to evaluate your song.

Step 5: Cross-check all details for accuracy. Click submit to pitch your songs. Wait for the editorial feedback.

How to submit music to user-generated playlists

User-generated playlists are excellent opportunities for you as an independent artist to expand your reach and build momentum.

1. Find playlists that match your sound

Search Spotify for playlists featuring artists in a similar genre, sound, or style as yours. Browse collections and pay attention to playlists that regularly add new music.

Match your track with the right audience to greatly improve your chances of securing placement. For example, if you create indie pop, target playlists featuring artists like Clairo or Dayglow.

2. Track down the curator contact

Many playlist curators include contact information in their playlist descriptions. Some include their social media profiles or personal websites. You can also use Google to search the playlist name and locate the creator.

Some curators provide dedicated submission forms. This allows artists to submit their music directly and efficiently through a structured process.

3. Send a personalized pitch

A personalized pitch is much more effective than a copied template. Briefly introduce yourself and describe your song. Explain why it would match the curated playlist.

Mention any relevant story or unique element behind your track. Curators receive many submissions daily. Hence, concise and authentic messages are more likely to get picked, so that you can grow on spotify.

4. Follow up politely

Most playlist curators manage submissions alongside other personal responsibilities. Hence, responses can take time. If you don`t get feedback after one week, send a short and respectful follow-up message. 

Use a single follow-up professionally. Such a genuine interest will help you connect with curators without appearing overly persistent or desperate.

Mistakes to avoid when submitting to Spotify playlists

Even strong music can miss playlist opportunities when you fall into the pothole of these simple submission mistakes.

• Avoid submitting after your track goes live: Spotify only accepts unreleased tracks for editorial consideration. Once your music is released or is live, that opportunity disappears completely.
• Avoid leaving your metadata incomplete: Incomplete metadata makes it harder for editorial teams to understand your music and properly match it to related playlists.
• Avoid writing a generic pitch description: A generic pitch lacks personality and context. Explain your story, sound, and audience to create a stronger interest.
• Avoid Submitting too close to release day: Submitting near your release date gives editors limited review time. Plan ahead to maximize consideration opportunities.
• Avoid Pitching to the wrong genre playlists: Targeting unrelated genres wastes effort. Focus on playlists where your music naturally fits listeners’ expectations and tastes.
• Avoid giving up after your first rejection: Playlist placement is competitive. Release consistently good songs, improve your marketing approach, and grow your network over time.

Conclusion

Get your music onto the right Spotify playlist with adequate preparation, strategy, and persistence. Start by setting up your Spotify for Artists account. Prepare your track before its release date. Use the official pitch tool to target editorial playlists.

Build genuine relationships with playlist curators managing user-generated playlists. Avoid common mistakes such as incomplete submission or last-minute pitching. No method fully guarantees placement. However, consistent effort, strong music promotion and quality releases can help you get famous on Spotify and significantly improve your results. Start submitting your music today! 

FAQ

1. How do I submit music to Spotify playlist curators?

Research and find the contact details of playlist curators. Then pitch your music with a concise and personalized message.

2. How many songs can I pitch to Spotify at once?

One. Spotify typically allows artists to pitch one unreleased track per release for editorial playlists consideration at a time.

3. What happens if Spotify rejects my playlist pitch?

Your rejected song can still appear in algorithmic playlists and user-generated playlists through strong engagement.

4. How do I write a good Spotify playlist pitch?

Explain your track, its genres, story, and audience clearly. Make your pitch authentic, relevant, and concise.