Spotify is one of the few music streaming services that allow direct submissions to get on their editorial playlists. They’ve stated publicly that the only way to get on Spotify editorial playlists—handpicked playlists curated by Spotify’s in-house team—is to pitch through the Spotify for Artists dashboard using the “Upcoming” pitch portal. These Spotify editorial playlists, such as RapCaviar, Today’s Top Hits, and Rock This, are curated by real humans.
Editorial playlists are highly competitive because Spotify gets so many submissions from musicians, labels, and their teams, but also because editors at Spotify like to make their own personal choices. I’ve spent a career pitching music as a Vice President at Sony Music and GM at Fearless Records where the responsibility of getting editorial features with digital music services was my responsibility. The music I’ve released and landed editorial placements for has streamed in the billions.
Is submitting through the “Upcoming” pitch portal really the only way to get on an official Spotify editorial playlist? Are there other strategies that could improve your chances? There are, and this article will give you several tips to help increase your odds. Bookmark it and share it with a friend if you find it helpful.
Does It Matter to Get On Spotify Editorial Playlists?
After more than 15 years, Spotify’s platform has evolved, and the influence of editorial playlists has diminished. As I mentioned in another blog post “Best Ways To Get More Streams on Spotify”, listeners’ own playlists—the ones fans create themselves—are the largest source of streams on Spotify. While Spotify doesn’t publish the exact percentage, it’s estimated at 55%, based on my access to hundreds of Spotify for Artists accounts from artists ranging from several million monthly streams to just a few thousand. If you think about it, you probably listen to most of your music on your own personal playlists.
The second most powerful source of streams is algorithmic play. Spotify states that 33% of artists are discovered through algorithm-driven recommendations. This includes playlists like Radio, Release Radar, and Discover Weekly, as well as homepage recommendations such as “Because You Like” or “Autoplay,” where Spotify automatically plays a recommended track after an album finishes.
Together, user-generated playlists and algorithmic play make up the majority of streams—estimated at 85%. Though the data is not publicly available, editorial playlists likely account for less than 2% of all Spotify streams. They don’t offer as much discovery as many artists believe.
If you’re not getting enough algorithmic play through Radio, Autoplay, or Discover Weekly, you might think editorial playlists are your best chance at exposure. But that’s likely not the case. Many artists focus on the wrong strategies. Instead, it might be time to consider a Band Builder Academy membership to get up-to-date, reliable information on increasing your streams through smarter promotional efforts.
Can You Pay to Get Into Spotify Editorial Playlists?
The simple answer is no. However, some distributors can leverage their relationships to secure editorial placements, and you may pay them a fee for their services. In that case, you’re technically paying for access, but not directly.
Many musicians, labels, and distributors become frustrated with repeated rejections from Spotify’s editorial team. As a result, some fall for services claiming to offer guaranteed playlist placements. These services often advertise networks of millions of listeners or connections with thousands of curators. Some even claim they can get you on official Spotify editorial playlists. Don’t fall for it.
There may have been a time, about five years ago, when paying to be on large user-generated playlists had a positive impact on Spotify’s algorithms. But that strategy no longer works. Spotify made a major algorithmic change in November 2023, rendering playlist promotion largely ineffective. It’s been dead for a while, yet “playlist promotion” still ranks high in Google searches.
Steps for Getting On Spotify Editorial Playlists.
Have a Song Promotion Plan Before You Pitch
If your song is a great fit for a specific Spotify editorial playlist, the next thing curators might want to know is how you plan to promote it. The songs at the top of their playlists usually come from established artists with strong marketing campaigns behind them. While they don’t expect independent artists to have the same resources, an impressive plan can make a strong impact.
Here’s a link to download my free track release plan. Inside Band Builder Academy, I share detailed pitch strategies and explain exactly what to include in your 500-character pitch to Spotify’s editorial team.
Improve Your Branding to Impress Spotify Playlist Curators.
Great music is essential, but strong branding—artwork, photos, and a compelling “About” section—also plays a role in making a good impression. However, don’t overthink this part. Playlist curators are primarily listening, not looking or reading. If your song doesn’t fit a playlist they manage, your branding won’t change that.
Pitch Your Song Through Spotify for Artists’ Upcoming Section
Spotify provides a direct way to pitch your music for Spotify editorial playlists. This should always be your first step, even if your distributor or label is also pitching on your behalf. Make this a standard part of your release workflow, and remember: you can only pitch one unreleased song at a time. If you release an entire album or EP at once, you lose the ability to pitch multiple songs individually.
I cover this in-depth in Band Builder Academy, but here’s a simple workflow:
- Distribute your song to Spotify at least 3-4 weeks before its intended release date.
- Your song won’t appear in Spotify for Artists immediately; it typically takes about five days for your distributor to deliver it.
- You can only pitch “new” and “unreleased” songs—one at a time.
- Before you pitch, prepare the following:
- Three genres that describe your music (Spotify will ask for this).
- A list of relevant editorial playlists your song fits into. (and make sure your song is a realistic fit)
- A short description (1-2 sentences) highlighting the song’s mood, themes, or cultural tie-ins.
- Key promotional plans, including social media campaigns and notable collaborations.
- It helps to name drop relevant artists that your producers worked with or that you have played concerts with.
By pitching at least five business days before release, your song will be included in “Release Radar”—a free algorithmic boost.
If you do not have a Spotify For Artists account you can Claim Your Spotify for Artists Profile: Verify your artist profile at artists.spotify.com.
Get a Priority Pitch Through Your Music Distributor
If you develop a strong marketing plan for your priority release, you may be eligible for a priority pitch through your distributor. Distributors like DistroKid, Ditto, and CD Baby have the ability to pitch songs for Spotify editorial playlists, as well as for Apple, Amazon, YouTube, and other music services.
Obtaining a priority pitch from your distributor requires developing a good relationship with their staff. Start with their customer support and ask them if you can share your awesome marketing plan with them. They should direct you to their steps to submit for a priority pitch to all music services.
How to Find Contacts for Spotify Playlist Curators?
The best way to pitch your new song is through the “Upcoming” section on Spotify for Artists. Don’t waste time searching for curators’ direct contact information—you’ll only run into scammy services promising access for a fee. It doesn’t work that way. Spotify’s editorial team does not communicate with musicians, their teams, or third-party “pitching services” outside of the official submission portal.
The only other legitimate way to reach Spotify’s playlist curators (indirectly) is through your music distributor, as some have relationships with streaming platforms.
And don’t overlook Amazon! Unlike Spotify, Amazon Music allows direct submissions from artists—so take advantage of that opportunity.
Using Artist Managers, Publishers, Labels, and Distributors to Get Spotify Editorial Playlists.
By now, you understand that the Spotify for Artists “Upcoming” pitch portal isn’t the only way to land an official Spotify playlist. However, either your distributor or the Upcoming pitch portal is required to secure a spot on an editorial playlist.
Working with artist managers, publishers, labels, and distributors can improve your chances. These professionals may have connections with editorial playlist curators or their supervisors. If they believe in your music and trust that you’ll make them look good, they might advocate for you to their Spotify contacts.
That said, even if your manager has a direct line to someone at Spotify, you still need to be listed on a distributor’s “priority grid” (the best option) or at least submitted through the Spotify for Artists “Upcoming” portal. Otherwise, when curators search for your artist name or song, it won’t show up in the system for your release date.
One more thing—your manager, label, and distributor are also being evaluated. Their reputation matters, so make sure your release strategy is competitive and actually drives real listener engagement on Spotify when your song drops.
DISCUSS
While landing a spot on a Spotify editorial playlist is an exciting milestone, it’s not the ultimate key to success. The majority of streams come from user-generated and algorithmic playlists, so focusing on long-term engagement is far more beneficial than chasing editorial approval.
By implementing a smart promotional plan, crafting a compelling pitch, and ensuring your branding is on point, you increase your chances of getting noticed. However, the real goal should be sustained growth through algorithmic recommendations and user engagement.
If you’re serious about expanding your reach on Spotify, focus on strategies that generate long-term listener interaction. Editorial playlists are just one piece of the puzzle—an important one, but not as critical as you imagine.
Don’t forget to download my free track release plan, and feel free to ask questions in the comments!
- How to Get On Spotify Editorial Playlists - April 7, 2025
- How To Create an Artist Playlist on Spotify - November 28, 2024
- Singles Vs. Albums - November 12, 2024