You’ve got a song you believe in, but it’s sitting there doing nothing while other tracks keep landing on playlists. You know playlists matter, but no one really explains how to get on a Spotify playlist. This guide breaks it down so your music actually lands in front of your target audience.
What is Playlisting?
Playlisting is how most people are finding new music on Spotify these days. Spotify playlists are just a collection of songs grouped together by mood, genre, activity, or vibe. Some playlists are created by Spotify’s editors, and others are run by independent curators or users who build a following around their taste.
Playlists drive discovery, but streams only matter if you understand how they turn into income, which is where music royalties come into play. But first, let’s explore how you get on a playlist in the first place.
How Playlists Get Made
Before you start pitching your song everywhere, make sure you understand how to get music rights and what you actually own when your track starts getting attention. Then you can focus on how Spotify builds playlists.
The algorithm watches how people interact with your song and then decides where it belongs. Saves matter more than streams, and full listens matter more than skips. If you get repeat plays, Spotify really starts to pay attention.
Spotify playlists fall into three buckets. Editorial playlists are curated by Spotify’s internal team. Algorithmic playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly are built based on listener behavior. User playlists are run by people who care about a sound or a moment.
Your job is to give the Spotify algorithm clear signals. That starts with a complete Spotify for Artists profile, accurate genre tags, and of course, a song actually worth listening to. When listeners save your track, add it to their own playlists, and come back for more, Spotify starts testing your song in new places.
Pitching Songs for Specific Playlists
Spotify gives artists a few real paths to get their music in front of the right audience, but each one works differently and requires a different kind of effort. Once you know where you’re pitching and why, the steps get a lot easier to follow.
Pitching for Editorial Playlists
Spotify editorial playlists are handled by people inside Spotify, and you have to pitch them through Spotify for Artists, which you do before your song is released. Here’s the scoop:
Step #1: Upload your track through your distributor.
Pick your release date first, then upload the track through your distributor so it delivers to Spotify in advance. Spotify only lets you pitch unreleased music, so do not wait until release day.
Schedule the release at least two weeks out if you want breathing room. This gives Spotify time to ingest your audio and gives you time to plan your rollout without scrambling.
Step #2: Claim and log in to Spotify for Artists.
Claim your artist profile on Spotify for Artists if you have not already. Once your distributor delivers the release, it shows up under your upcoming music. That is where the pitch tool lives.
Set up your profile so it looks like you take this seriously. Add a current photo, update your bio, and pin a track if you already have one that represents your sound.
Step #3: Fill out the pitch form with intent.
Open the upcoming release and start the pitch. Spotify asks for genre, subgenre, mood, instruments, language, and culture tags. Do not guess. Pick the tags that match the track you are pitching, not the identity you want someday.
Use the written pitch box to give context that an editor can actually use. Write one short paragraph that explains the vibe, the story, and the moment the song fits. Mention any real traction, such as sold-out shows, radio spins, or press, but keep it tight.
Step #4: Submit at least 7 days before release.
Submit the pitch at least 7 days before release, as that is the minimum window Spotify recommends. Earlier is better. When you pitch early, Spotify also routes your track into algorithmic systems like Release Radar, which helps even if you never land an editorial slot.
After you submit, focus on your release plan. Drive pre-saves, build hype on socials, and send the track to your audience so the first 48 hours show strong engagement.
How to Pitch Personalized Playlists
Personalized playlists are created by users. These curators usually run playlists with a theme like Chicago indie rock, late-night driving, loud girl bands, or post-punk gems. You get on these playlists by doing your homework and submitting a pitch.
Step #1: Identify curator-run playlists that match your sound.
Search Spotify for playlists that sound like your track. Look at the songs and artists on the playlist. If your track would not make sense next to them, move on. Check the playlist profile. A real curator updates the playlist and keeps it active. You want playlists that show recent adds and a clear identity.
Step #2: Find the curator’s contact info.
Click the curator profile. Look for an email in their bio or a link to a submission form. If you cannot find contact info, search the curator’s name on Instagram or TikTok. Many curators post submission instructions in their bio links.
Step #3: Write a short, personal pitch.
Start with one sentence that proves you listened to their playlist. Mention a specific song or artist from their list that connects to your track. Then share your Spotify track link. Include your artist name, the song title, and a one-sentence vibe description that matches their playlist theme.
Step #4: Track responses and follow up once.
Keep a simple tracker with the playlist name, curator handle, date sent, and response. Give it a week, then follow up once with a polite note and the link again. If they do not respond, move on. Curators get flooded. Your job is to pitch professionally and keep pushing.
How to Pitch Listener/Independent Playlists
Listener playlists are created by everyday fans, DJs, bloggers, and micro-curators. The trick for these pitches is relationships.
Step #1: Build relationships before pitching.
Follow the curator. Listen to their playlists. Comment on their posts. Share one of their playlists in your story and tag them. Show up like a real supporter, not a drive-by marketer. This builds trust. When you later pitch your track, your name looks familiar.
Step #2: Submit through playlist platforms
Some curators use playlist submission platforms. Use these when they are clearly part of the curator process, not a paywall. Submit only to playlists that match your genre and vibe. Avoid services that promise guaranteed placements because real curators do not sell slots like that.
Step #3: Share playlist adds with your audience
When a playlist adds your song, share it. Post the playlist link and thank the curator. Tell your fans to save the playlist and play it. This helps the curator, and it sends Spotify strong signals around your track. When listeners save your song from a playlist, Spotify treats it like proof and starts testing your music in more places.
What Not to Do When Pitching Spotify Playlists
There’s a lot of bad advice floating around about playlisting. Some of it sounds tempting when you want fast results, but most of it will hurt you long before it helps you.
Buying placements
If someone promises to place your song on a playlist for a fee, walk away. Real playlists do not sell slots. Editors do not charge. Legit curators do not invoice artists for ads. Paying for placement puts your music in the wrong hands and sends the wrong signals to Spotify.
Pay for play warnings
Pay-for-play schemes usually lead to low-quality streams from listeners who do not care about your music. Those plays turn into skips, and skips tell Spotify your song does not belong. Even worse, these services often recycle the same accounts across hundreds of artists, which flags your track fast.
Fake streams and long-term damage
Fake streams might boost numbers for a moment, but the damage sticks around. Spotify can remove songs, freeze royalties, or shut down your artist profile altogether. Once that happens, it is hard to recover trust. Real growth takes longer, but it keeps your catalog healthy and your account safe.
How to Get on Spotify Playlist: Frequently Asked Questions
How many Spotify plays does it take to make $1,000?
It usually takes between 250,000 and 330,000 Spotify streams to make $1,000. Spotify pays artists roughly $0.003 to $0.004 per stream, depending on region, listener subscription type, and distributor fees. Playlist placements help increase reach, but income grows fastest when streams come from real listeners who stick around.
How do I get on Spotify as an artist?
To get on Spotify as an artist, upload your music through a digital distributor like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby. Once your music is live, claim your profile through Spotify for Artists. This gives you access to your artist page, audience data, and the playlist pitching tool for future releases.
Do Spotify playlists actually help artists grow?
Yes, Spotify playlists help artists reach new listeners when the placement fits the song. The biggest value comes from saves, follows, and repeat plays, not just raw stream counts. When listeners engage with your track, Spotify’s algorithm pushes it into more playlists and recommendations.
Can you pitch a song to Spotify after it’s released?
You cannot pitch a released song to Spotify editorial playlists. Editorial pitching only works for unreleased tracks. After release, your song can still land on algorithmic and user playlists if listeners engage with it and share it.
Submit Your Demo to Hardstop Records
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the dos and don’ts of the artist’s world, we’re here for you. We work with artists whose demos have a point of view and are ready to build real momentum. If you’re serious about growing your audience and putting your music in the right places, send us what you’re working on.