Playlists are the biggest source of new listeners on Spotify, and getting in is free if you know which playlists exist and when to submit. Here is how editorial, algorithmic and curator playlists work, the pitching flow step by step, and the timing rule that roughly doubles your chances.
Three kinds of playlists
| Type | Who builds it | How to get in |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial (New Music Friday, genre and mood lists) | Spotify editors | pitch through Spotify for Artists before release |
| Algorithmic (Release Radar, Discover Weekly, Radio) | the algorithm | automatic — driven by saves, listeners and completion |
| User and curator playlists | listeners, blogs, labels | direct submissions to curators, never paid placement |
Editorial pitching: how it works
One pitched track is automatically placed in every follower’s Release Radar on release day — the guaranteed payoff of pitching even if editors pass. Plan the date with the best day and time to release music.
- Claim your profile in Spotify for Artists — there is no pitch form without it; see how to get verified.
- Deliver the release to your distributor early: it has to show up as "upcoming" in your dashboard, usually 1–3 days after submission.
- In Upcoming, click Pitch a song: one track per release, genre, moods, instruments, language, cities and a description of up to 500 characters.
- Submit at least 7 days before release — the form closes on release day. Pitching services report that tracks submitted 14 or more days early get considered roughly twice as often.
What to write in the pitch
Editors see hundreds of submissions and read the first two lines. Be concrete: what the song is about, why now, what surrounds it — a video, shows, creator support, numbers from previous releases. Skip "unique sound" and "you have to hear this". Pick one genre and two or three moods that match real Spotify playlists.
Algorithmic playlists: what moves them
- Saves and playlist adds in the first days — the strongest signal.
- Completion rate: if listeners skip at 20 seconds, the algorithm stops showing the track.
- Followers: Release Radar is built from them, so put the follow button in stories and on your smart link.
- Plays from other people’s playlists and radio — the algorithm learns which tracks you sit next to.
Curator playlists and what not to buy
Independent curators accept tracks directly on social media and through submission services. Paying for a review is normal; paying for a guaranteed placement is not. Spotify detects playlists with bot streams and removes tracks from them — sometimes from the catalog — so "100,000 streams for $50" is a shortcut to a takedown.
Red flags: thousands of followers with no activity, dozens of genres mixed together, an anonymous curator. Green flags: a narrow genre, regular updates, tracks with real numbers.
Pre-release checklist
- Profile claimed, photo and bio filled in.
- Release delivered 3–4 weeks out, pitch submitted 2+ weeks out.
- Artwork that survives shrinking to a playlist thumbnail — ready-made options in the catalog.
- Canvas and a Stories snippet ready for release day — see Spotify Canvas: size and how to make one.
- Followers told the date: their Release Radar fires automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Spotify pitching cost?
Nothing. The Spotify for Artists form is free, and there is no paid way into editorial playlists.
Can I pitch a track that is already out?
Not to editors — the form closes on release day. Algorithmic playlists keep considering the track after release.
How many tracks per release can I pitch?
One. For an album, choose the focus track.
When do editors reply?
They don’t: if the track is picked, you see the playlist in your stats on release day or in the following days.
Ready to release your track?
Single — $45, album — $135. We work with Zvonko Digital and deliver the release to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, TikTok and 150+ platforms. Sent in 1–2 days after all materials are provided.