Getting your songs on the right Spotify playlist is a very, very underrated way of music promotion. If done right, the music will end up in front of the very audience it was crafted for, something no paid ad can do.
But that perfect result is much easier said than done. So in this article, we’ll talk about how to get on a Spotify playlist. We will go deeper than using the basic promotional tools because this process is more organic than you might think. Let’s get going.
Do Your Research First, Know Your Audience
It all starts with knowing your audience. If you mess this up, things might go off the rails, so pay attention.
Use the “Audience” tab within Spotify for Artists to view key demographics. This section breaks down listener information like age, gender, and top countries or cities. So, if most of your listeners are 18–24 and located in Los Angeles, focus on playlists popular in that area and age group.
Then, explore the “Music” tab. Go through the Songs and Playlists sections to see how and where your tracks are already being played. Check which playlists are driving streams, then analyze their style and audience.
For deeper insights, you can consider tools like Chartmetric. They have a Playlist feature that shows which playlists align with your genre, their follower counts, engagement metrics, audience overlap – all the good stuff. They also have a “Playlist Reach” metric that shows how many people a playlist truly connects with rather than just follower numbers.
When put together, this data can be used to map out listener habits. So, if your songs trend during late-night hours, you can focus on chill or nighttime-themed playlists.
Consider Third-Party Playlist Submission Platforms
If done right, third-party playlist submission platforms can help you a lot. First of all, avoid sites that just promise to chuck your song into a random playlist and charge you money for it. They might be cheap, but not worth it at all, trust me.
A good example of a great playlist submission platform we can vouch for are our friends from Groover. Groover is different from others because it’s more like a connection with playlist curators, influencers – industry professionals, even.
You pay a small fee per submission, and in return, your music submission will be listened to and, perhaps even more importantly, you will also receive specific feedback. This feedback can explain why a curator might pass or what they enjoyed about your music. That is very valuable.
Groover also helps you track your progress. The dashboard shows your submission history, feedback received, whether a curator has added your song to their playlist…
To optimize your submissions, you should tailor your pitch carefully. Playlist curators on Groover appreciate concise messages that explain why your song is a good fit for their playlist. Also, make sure to attach high-quality MP3s or streaming links instead of directing them to vague profiles. You should also target the best options by filtering curators by genre, mood, or audience.
Know How to Make a Good Pitch
No matter who you’re reaching out to, you need to make it personal, and you need to be concise. Just cut to the chase!
Reference the specific playlist you’re targeting, and mention particular tracks you admire. Grab the curator’s attention by praising their creation. It’s not that hard.
But don’t go writing novels out there. Keep your pitch concise. All it takes is a short paragraph to explain who you are, provide a brief context for your song, and explain why it fits the playlist. Avoid generic templates, too. Canned messages are an instant turn-off.
In terms of writing style, we did our fair share of outreach in the music industry over the years. The Tune My Music team agrees that clear, polite language is best, also one that is not too formal. We’re in the music business, we’re not lawyers.
Also, attach all necessary links – your Spotify track, a press kit, high-quality images (don’t go overboard in terms of file size, stick to the JPEG format!) or bios, and social media handles.
Learn How to Reach Out to Playlist Curators
There are many ways to reach out and contact Spotify playlist curators for free. But before reaching out, we recommend that you spend time engaging with their playlists or content. Follow them on Spotify, comment on posts, and share their work when relevant. This builds familiarity and shows genuine interest.
Then, start by finding their contact details. Many curators list their emails or submission preferences in their Spotify profiles or social media bios. If not, try searching for them on platforms like LinkedIn or less formal social channels like Instagram and X.
When you do reach out, respect their preferred communication methods. Do not bombard them with follow-ups if they don’t respond immediately. A thoughtful, relationship-first approach increases the likelihood of success.
How to Get on a Spotify Playlist Through Other Communities
Let’s just clarify that connecting with Spotify playlist curators doesn’t always require direct pitching.
Many of them are active in online communities. They are active music fans and they discover new music. Reddit is the top option (subreddits like r/indieheads or r/wearethemusicmakers), but you shouldn’t neglect Facebook groups dedicated to independent artists. Discord servers are also an excellent choice, and I guess niche music forums are still alive and kicking in some way.
When engaging in these spaces, just be authentic. Being a true music fan goes a long way. Join conversations, share insights, and participate meaningfully rather than spamming.
This can also increase your Spotify streams organically, even if you don’t land on any setlists.
Communities to Explore:
- Reddit’s subreddits
- Facebook groups
- Discord servers
- Forums
Beyond Spotify: Make It Easy for Playlist Curators on Other Streaming Platforms to Access Your Music
Crafting your own playlist is a good way to showcase your music if you have more than one song to show to the curation community, and having that playlist available everywhere is crucial for your music to be heard.
So, although Spotify is a key player in music streaming, curators are on other platforms, too. Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music, etc., can all play a significant role in boosting your visibility.
The Tune My Music team actually has an arsenal of tools to streamline the process by making your tracks accessible across multiple platforms. The point is that curators have easy access to your playlists no matter where they operate.
The Tune My Music Share and Tune My Music Sync features are the best for showing your music everywhere. As the names suggest, these allow you to transfer playlists or tracks seamlessly between streaming services. The Share function is free, and it enables you to generate easily shareable links that work across platforms. That way, playlist curators aren’t limited by your original upload location. The Sync feature, available on the premium plan, continuously updates your playlists across various platforms so you get consistency. It makes your music more discoverable, too.
Track Spotify Editorial Playlists Submission Via Spotify Artist Dashboard
Last but not least, there are also the Spotify editorial playlists, a crucial part to be heard on Spotify.
Spotify’s editorial playlists are awesome. They are curated by Spotify’s team, updated continuously, and can significantly increase streams and boost your credibility if you’re lucky enough to get featured there. Getting listed in one of them can be monumental, and your first step is the Spotify Artist Dashboard.
On the dashboard, you can submit unreleased tracks directly to Spotify’s curators. Be sure to provide detailed information about your song – mood, story, accurate genre tags. A complete, thoughtful submission not only aids curators in understanding your music but also increases your chances of selection.
The Spotify editorial playlists are harder to get into as everyone is trying to be listed there, so to get too much hope on this, that’s why going for independent playlist curators might be a safer path, and with Groover’s help, it’s almost guaranteed.
Summary on How to Get on a Spotify Playlist
The bottom line is that getting on a Spotify playlist takes a well-rounded approach. Don’t just spam around, think from the perspective of the person you are writing to and always think of the listener, focus on the audience.
By aiming for the listener’s needs, you will find the right niche and the right community. Don’t hesitate to try tools like Groover and Tune My Music in your journey. Stay safe and enjoy the music!
