Getting your music featured on popular Spotify playlists can dramatically increase your visibility and exposure to new listeners. Spotify playlist submission is one of the most sought-after goals for emerging artists, as it offers an easy way to grow your fanbase and gain credibility in the music industry. Whether you’re an independent artist or signed to a record label, understanding the process of playlist submission is crucial. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to get your music onto the most popular Spotify playlists.

Understanding Spotify Playlist Submission

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to recognize the significance of playlist placements on Spotify. As one of the largest music streaming platforms globally, Spotify’s playlist curation has become an essential tool for artists to reach their audience. With playlists like RapCaviar, Today’s Top Hits, and Peaceful Piano, Spotify playlists can offer an unprecedented level of exposure. But to get featured, it’s essential to follow the right process for Spotify playlist submission.

The first step in the playlist submission process is ensuring that your music is available on Spotify. You need to distribute your track or album through a music distributor, such as DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby, which then ensures that your music is accessible on Spotify. Once your music is live on the platform, you can then move on to submitting your track for playlist consideration.

Create a Spotify for Artists Account

To submit your music to Spotify playlists, you must have access to Spotify for Artists. This free platform allows you to manage your profile, track your stats, and submit your music directly to Spotify’s editorial team for playlist consideration. If you haven’t already, sign up for a Spotify for Artists account and claim your artist profile. This is crucial because only artists who manage their profiles through Spotify for Artists can submit tracks for playlist consideration.

Once your account is set up, ensure that all your artist details are accurate and up-to-date. This includes having a well-crafted bio, updated cover art, and links to your social media. The more professional and polished your profile looks, the better chance you have at being noticed by curators when you submit your music to Spotify playlists.

Prepare Your Track for Submission

Now that you have access to Spotify for Artists, it’s time to get your track ready for playlist submission. Keep in mind that Spotify’s editorial team reviews submissions to determine whether your music fits the specific playlists they curate. You’ll want to ensure that your track is professionally produced and mastered. It’s also important to ensure that your track is properly tagged with the correct genre and mood descriptors. Spotify’s editorial team looks for tracks that fit the overall vibe and style of their playlists.

When submitting your music, it’s essential to provide some background information about the track. Spotify asks for a description of the song, which you should use to explain the inspiration behind the track, the genre, and any notable collaborations or performances. You can also include information about any upcoming tours or press coverage. A well-crafted submission with all the details will make it easier for curators to understand your music and how it fits into the context of their playlist.

Timing Your Submission

One of the most important factors to consider when submitting to Spotify playlists is the timing of your submission. Spotify recommends submitting your track at least 4 weeks before its release date. This gives the editorial team enough time to review and consider your track for a playlist placement. If you wait until the last minute, there’s a chance your submission might be overlooked.

In addition to submitting your music in advance, timing also refers to understanding the trends in the playlists you’re targeting. For example, if you’re submitting a holiday-themed track, you’ll want to submit it several months in advance, ideally in the summer, so curators have enough time to consider it for seasonal playlists. Similarly, if your track fits into a particular genre or mood (like upbeat pop or chill acoustic), you should make sure your submission aligns with the types of playlists that feature that kind of music.

Building Relationships with Playlist Curators

While submitting your music through Spotify for Artists is a direct way to get your music featured on Spotify playlists, another way to increase your chances of getting featured is by building relationships with playlist curators. Curators are the individuals or teams responsible for putting together playlists on Spotify, and they often look for new tracks that fit their themes. You can reach out to curators directly via social media or email, but it’s important to do so professionally and respectfully.

Networking is also crucial in this process. Many curators are active on social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter, where they share updates on upcoming playlists and provide submission instructions. Follow these curators and engage with their posts to start building a connection. Some curators may also run independent playlists outside of Spotify, which can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door and grow your exposure.

Submit to Independent and User-Curated Playlists

While submitting to Spotify’s editorial playlists is the primary focus for many artists, don’t overlook the importance of independent and user-curated playlists. There are thousands of curators on Spotify who maintain their own playlists, and many of them are open to submissions from emerging artists. Some curators may have playlists with thousands or even millions of followers, and being included in one of these playlists can significantly increase your stream count.

Platforms like SubmitHub, Playlist Push, and Soundplate help artists submit their music to independent curators. These platforms often require a submission fee, but they can be worth the investment, especially if they help you land spots on playlists with a large audience.

Follow Up and Stay Consistent

Once you’ve submitted your track to Spotify playlists, the waiting game begins. It’s crucial to stay patient during this period and continue promoting your music through social media, email newsletters, and other channels. While you may not be immediately selected for Spotify’s most prominent playlists, consistent releases and submissions can help you build a reputation and increase your chances over time.

If your track doesn’t get featured in a Spotify playlist right away, don’t get discouraged. Keep submitting new music, building your presence on social media, and engaging with fans. Persistence is key when it comes to playlist submissions, and with the right approach, you can eventually get the exposure your music deserves.

Conclusion

Spotify playlist submission can seem daunting at first, but by following the proper steps and being proactive, you can significantly improve your chances of landing a spot on one of the platform’s popular playlists. Ensure that your music is properly distributed, submit your tracks via Spotify for Artists, and give yourself enough time before your release date. Build connections with curators, submit to independent playlists, and, most importantly, stay consistent. With patience and perseverance, your music could soon be heard by a much wider audience.