How to Pitch and Submit a Song to Spotify Playlists After Release (2024)

Have an upcoming release date? For independent artists, a song placement in Spotify playlists can greatly increase exposure. With the rise of music streaming services, getting your music included in a popular playlist can be a game-changer. Contrary to popular belief, editorial playlists are not just destined for popular music and what is trending. The playlist submission feature on Spotify for Artists is meant to give everyone a chance. Between editorial playlists, algorithmic playlists, and user-generated playlists, there are lots of opportunities to boost your streams. Here is everything you need to know about Spotify playlist submission!

1. Pitch and Submit Songs to Spotify Editorial Playlists

Sign up for Spotify for Artists

The first thing you need to do to submit a songto Spotify editorial playlists is to claim your Spotify for Artists profile. Without access, you won’t be able to make a submission! So, go to their website and create an account that will be linked to your Spotify Artist profile. Then verify your identity to claim the page. The dashboard you land on once this is done is where you’ll find your future streaming analytics. Most importantly, this is where you’ll be pitching your music directly to editorial playlists! In the music section under upcoming releases, you’ll have the option to pitch your unreleased music before it comes out.

Craft a highly accurate pitch

When pitching your track to the editorial team, it’s important to craft a great pitch. You only have 500 characters to convince Spotify’s playlist editors to listen to your track, so be catchy, concise and descriptive. You want to keep your pitch specific, being clear about the genres and style of the song.

In it, add interesting details about the story behind the song. You can also research existing editorial playlists you think would be a good fit for your music and let them know in your pitch. What makes your song unique? What makes you stand out as an artist? Then fill out the form: select options about the track’s mood, which instruments were used, and more.

When should you pitch your music to editorial playlists?

Spotify for Artists recommends pitching an unreleased song more than 7 days before release. This means you need to have set up the distribution of your track or album well before then so it becomes available in the “Upcoming Releases” section of your Spotify for Artists profile. Digital distribution takes a while, so submitting your song 4-6 weeks before release is wise. Remember, you can’t pitch a track to editorial playlists if it’s been released, even if it gets re-released through an album after being out as a single.

Is your track already released? Don’t worry, you’ll be able to pitch independent playlists (see below)

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Groover helped thousands of artists
get into Spotify playlists ⬇️

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2. How To Get into Spotify Algorithmic Playlists

Generate data

Unlike Spotify editorial playlists, you cannot pitch your song to algorithmic playlists. To get into algorithmic playlists, you need to get noticed by the Spotify algorithm. When lots of people listen to your track, add it to different playlists, or share it outside of Spotify, the algorithm notices. The more streams you have, the more streams you’ll get – it’s a snowball effect. If your song is generating lots of data, Spotify will then target new audiences who may like your music and push it to them.

For example, you know that section “Fans Also Like” on an artist’s Spotify profile? If a new artisthas just released their first single ever, they won’t have this section on their page yet. There hasn’t been enough data collected by the platform to figure out similar artists.

Have people follow you on Spotify

In addition to generating data, it’s important to ask people to follow you on Spotify. Reach out to your community on and ask them to follow you anywhere they can, but especially on streaming platforms. When people follow your profile, your new releases will automatically show up in their algorithmic playlist, Release Radar.

3. Pitch to SpotifyUser-Generated Playlists

Find them online through similar artists

There are many popular Spotify playlists that are user-generated. You don’t need to land an editorial playlist to boost your streams; a user-generated playlist with a big following could be great for your career! To find user-generated playlists that fit with your style of music, do some research online and on Spotify by checking out similar artists. On an artist’s Spotify page, you can see what playlists they have been featured in. Let’s say you make Indie Pop music. Check out other artists in your genre and see what user-generated playlists they have been featured in! Look up these playlists online and see if they accept open submissions. Don’t hesitate to send an email or reach out to get your track featured!

Check out playlist curators on Groover

If you want to contact playlist curators directly with a guaranteed response, reach out to them on Groover. Groover is an innovative platform that connects artists directly with music industry professionals for just $2 per track. If you don’t get a response within 7 days, you get your money back to send to another curator of your choosing! There are tons of industry professionals making curated playlists, providing a source for music lovers to find new music. Getting your track into one of them can help you stand out from the millions of songs available on platform!

Pitch your song after release

When you pitch your song to user-generated playlists, you should use the same logic as you do with editorial playlists. Keep in mind, however, that you are not pitching a Spotify playlist submission curator, but rather someone like you and I who makes playlists. Be concise and specific and make sure you include any details that will entice the reader to listen. Make sure to take a personal approach – have them want to help you – and you will increase your chances of getting a response.

When should you pitch your music to independent playlists?

We highly recommend pitching your music to independent playlist curators on release day or after. That way, independent playlist curators will have access to the Spotify URL of the release, which didn’t exist before. You otherwise take the risk of losing their interest if they have to wait to add your song. Independent Spotify playlist curators tend to have a quick turnaround in adding tracks to their playlists once they listen to it and decide they like it. Music promotion happens before, during, and after your releases.

4. Increase Your Chances of Getting Featured in Spotify Playlists

Keep your Spotify active

One of the best things you can do to increase your chances of getting into Spotify playlists is to stay active. The more often you release new music, the more engagement you will have on your profile. Nowadays, more and more artists are using the Waterfall Strategy to release successive singles and keep the momentum of their project going. The Spotify algorithm favors this strategy because it brings listeners back to your profile more often.

Make good music

This should be obvious, but making good music is key in getting featured in Spotify playlists. Make sure that you put in the time and effort into recording and producing high quality tracks. Perfect your signature sound and release music that is authentic and adds something new to the current music landscape. Avoid rushing to pitch a song just because you can; make sure it’s something you’re truly proud of.

Know your musical style and target playlist curators

It’s incredibly important to be able to talk about the kind of music you make. If you don’t know how to properly pitch your project, you’re going to have a hard time promoting it! Become familiar with the musical landscape of your genre if you aren’t already. Target playlist curators that you think are looking for music similar to yours. You should be able to imagine your own music in their playlists already. Editorial playlists on Spotify filter through genres all the time, whereas indie curators will be more open to listening anything if you describe your style in the right way.

Submit your music through Groover after release

Are you tired of sending emails to playlist curators and never getting a response? Submit your music directly to playlist curators on Groover and get a response within 7 days. You’ll be able to seek out playlist curators that are right for your project based on genre and location. You’ll also be able to see the statistics of how many submissions they’ve received and the percentage of tracks they accepted. Best case scenario, you get into their playlist! If not, you’ll receive constructive feedback on why your track didn’t quite fit their editorial line. Good luck and happy playlist hunting!

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Mackenzie Leighton

Mackenzie Leighton is an indie-folk musician and florist originally from the Northeast United States. She has called Paris home since 2017, and her most recent EP "Fleuriste" is now available on all streaming platforms. Catch her at her next show in Paris! Main influences: Julia Jacklin, Devendra Banhart, Andy Shauf, Angel Olsen.