How to Get Your Song on a Spotify Playlist in 2025

As of 2024, Spotify remains the dominant global audio streaming service, boasting over 574 million users, with 226 million of them subscribed to the platform’s premium service. With such a massive user base, getting your music on Spotify is an essential step for any artist. However, cutting through the noise on Spotify playlists and securing coveted playlist placements requires more than just uploading your tracks. It takes strategic planning, smart promotion, and a deep understanding of how Spotify’s playlist ecosystem works.

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In this guide, we break down the most effective strategies for getting your music playlisted on Spotify, including tips on pitching unreleased music to editorial playlists, engaging independent curators, and maximizing algorithmic playlist opportunities. Whether you’re an emerging artist or an industry veteran, these tactics can help amplify your visibility and get your songs in front of millions of listeners.

Let’s get into how to get your song on a spotify playlist.

Pitch Your Music Directly to Spotify Playlists

With Spotify for Artists, you can pitch an upcoming, unreleased song to Spotify's editorial team for playlist consideration. There are two ways you can do this:

On your Spotify for Artists account, navigate to the ‘Home’ tab and select ‘Pitch a Song.’
Navigate to the ‘Music’ tab, and under ‘Upcoming,’ select ‘Pitch a Song.’ This allows you to submit your new song to Spotify's editors before your scheduled release date.

Once you’ve clicked ‘Pitch a Song,’ you’ll be prompted to fill out some of your artist information. This includes your location and song metadata. If your track is selected, you’ll get an email from Spotify. Your pitched song will also be added to your followers’ Release Radar playlists. Once your song is out there for the world to hear, you can access your stats under the ‘Music’ tab on your Spotify for Artist Dashboard. This will give you access to streaming and listener information, the source of your song’s stream, and more. ‍

You can check out Spotify's official tutorial video below for a full, in-depth breakdown of how you can pitch a song to Spotify’s editors.

What Are Spotify's Editorial Playlists?

Spotify’s in-house music experts curate Spotify editorial playlists, and they span a wide variety of genres, moods, and themes. Unlike algorithmic playlists, which rely on user behavior, these playlists are crafted based on trends, quality, and cultural relevance. Getting your music featured on these playlists can greatly boost your streams and overall visibility.

Pitch Your Music to Playlist Curators

Aside from Spotify editorial playlists, many independent playlist curators have developed large followings and manage listener playlists. These curators could be music blogs, industry insiders, or even everyday Spotify users with a large following. These playlist curators often run public playlists that cater to specific genres or themes. You can find playlists by exploring Spotify and tracking down curators’ contact information. Pitching to independent playlist editors can lead to solid playlist placement, helping grow your reach.

Once you’ve accumulated a list of potential playlist contacts, reach out through email or social media with links to your verified Spotify account or your songs. Make sure your social media accounts are linked for more engagement opportunities, as this will increase your chances of being featured in different playlists.

Writing your Pitch

Need help writing your playlist pitch to editors? Venice’s Co-Manager tool is designed to assist you in crafting compelling playlist pitches. Trained on insights from hundreds of successful playlist submissions, Co-Manager guides you through creating a personalized, well-structured pitch that resonates with curators. Co-Manager helps ensure your pitch is professional, targeted, and aligned with industry best practices. Whether you’re reaching out through the streaming platform, email, or social media, Co-Manager provides the support you need to enhance your chances of being considered for playlist placement, helping you grow your audience organically.

Harness the Power of Algorithmic Playlists

While editorial and curated playlists are key targets, algorithmic playlists also play a significant role in gaining exposure on Spotify. Playlists such as Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mix are entirely driven by Spotify's algorithm, which analyzes user behavior to suggest music based on individual preferences. To increase your chances of landing on these playlists, focus on driving up engagement metrics like saves, shares, and repeat listens. Encourage your listeners to interact with your music through Spotify’s built-in features, such as adding your tracks to their personal playlists or sharing them with friends. The more active engagement you can generate, the more likely the algorithm will pick up on the momentum and suggest your music to a wider audience.

Boost Your Reach with Spotify’s Discovery Mode via Venice

One of the most effective ways to enhance playlist visibility is through Spotify's Discovery Mode, now available via the Venice platform. Discovery Mode allows artists to prioritize specific tracks within Spotify’s algorithm, making them more likely to be featured in algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly and Radio. By signing up with Venice, you can access Discovery Mode and optimize your tracks for increased reach on Spotify. This powerful tool helps you strategically promote key songs, giving you the advantage of Spotify’s algorithm-driven discovery process.

Grow Your Spotify Following

Your Spotify account is more than just a page — it's a hub for fan interaction. Independent artists who grow their Spotify user base will have a higher chance of being added to algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly or Release Radar. By regularly engaging with your followers and promoting your artist playlists or public playlists on your social channels, you can organically build momentum.

Featuring your own personalized editorial playlists that mix your favorite songs with your own tracks and other music can also lead to increased streams. Additionally, having a strong follower base could increase your chances of becoming a featured artist in weekly playlists or smaller playlists.

Curate and Promote Your Own Playlists

Creating your own playlist is a strategic way to showcase your sound and build a following. By curating a blend of your own tracks and new music from others, you can craft a playlist that resonates with a broader audience. Promotion is key — share your playlist on your social media accounts, and consider linking to it in your music video plans. Use platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to drive more listeners to your public playlists. This strategy can also increase your chances of being featured on other playlists run by curators or even landing on bigger playlists that feature multiple artists.

Stay Consistent with Releases

Consistency is key in maintaining momentum and staying on the radar of both Spotify’s editorial team and independent curators. Regularly releasing new music keeps your profile active, and each release presents another opportunity to pitch for playlist consideration. Make sure to plan a strategic release schedule, and consider dropping singles in advance of a full album or EP to keep your audience engaged over time. Additionally, each new release increases your chances of being featured in Spotify's Release Radar, which automatically sends new music from artists to their followers. A steady stream of music helps keep your presence alive on Spotify and can lead to more frequent playlist placements as your profile and listener base grow.

Optimize Your Music for Playlisting

Before pitching to Spotify editorial playlists, it’s essential to ensure your track is polished and optimized for playlist consideration. This includes crafting a sound that fits current music trends, having polished social media links, and a clear plan for how to promote the release. Work with industry experts to refine your sound and gain insights into how the editorial process works. Consider the overall presentation of your track — from artwork to production — and how it stacks up against other independent artists trying to get their song featured on Spotify.

Perfecting your artist profile and ensuring that your artist page is up-to-date with your favorite songs, links to other streaming services, and optimized visuals will help your chances of securing a spot in popular playlists.

Maximize the Impact of Your Spotify Bio and Profile

Your Spotify profile is a key part of your artist brand and plays a crucial role in determining whether curators and listeners engage with your music. A well-crafted bio, along with high-quality visuals and regularly updated content, can significantly impact your chances of playlist placement. Curators often look at artist profiles to assess professionalism, consistency, and overall appeal. Make sure your bio highlights important milestones, recent releases, and any notable press coverage. This gives playlist curators more context about your music and your trajectory as an artist.

In addition to your bio, ensure that your profile is visually compelling. Invest in high-quality artist images, album artwork, and engaging Spotify Canvas videos for your tracks. These elements create a cohesive and professional look that can increase your appeal to both listeners and playlist curators. Additionally, regularly updating your profile with new content, such as your Artist Pick or featured playlists, signals to Spotify that you are an active artist, which can help your chances of being included in various playlists.

The Importance of Timing in Playlist Submissions

Timing is a critical factor in getting your music playlisted on Spotify. Submitting your track too late or too early can significantly affect your chances of securing playlist placement. Spotify recommends submitting your unreleased music at least one week before its scheduled release date. This allows enough time for Spotify’s editorial team to review the song and determine if it fits their playlists. If you submit too close to your release date, your track may get overlooked due to the sheer volume of submissions. Planning your release schedule strategically ensures that your music has the best chance of being heard by the right curators at the right time.

Not only should you consider the timing of your submission, but also the timing of your overall release strategy. Aligning your release with relevant events, holidays, or trending moments can enhance your song’s chances of fitting into themed or seasonal playlists. For example, releasing a summer anthem just before the start of the season increases the likelihood of landing on a summer-themed playlist. By being mindful of timing, you can position your track more effectively for playlist consideration.

Leverage Data Analytics for Strategic Growth

One often overlooked aspect of securing playlist placement is understanding and utilizing your data analytics. Through Spotify for Artists, you can gain access to a wealth of information, including who your listeners are, where they are located, and what songs resonate with them the most. By leveraging this data, you can tailor your pitch to playlists that align with your audience, giving you a strategic edge. For example, if you notice a spike in listeners from a specific region or demographic, consider pitching to playlist curators that cater to that audience

Additionally, understanding how your listeners interact with your music will allow you to refine your future releases and promotional efforts, making it more likely that your songs will get noticed by playlist curators.

Build Relationships with Fans and Listeners

Your fans and listeners are your strongest asset when it comes to playlisting. Building genuine relationships with your audience can lead to organic playlist placements. Fans who love your music will naturally want to add your tracks to their personal playlists, which increases your chances of being picked up by the algorithm. Utilize tools like Spotify Canvas, Artist Pick, and social media platforms to communicate directly with your listeners and create moments that they want to share. By fostering a dedicated fanbase, you not only create a community around your music but also increase the likelihood that fans will advocate for your songs by sharing them on their own playlists, further boosting your chances of playlist placement.

Collaborate with Other Artists and Cross-Promote

Collaboration is a powerful tool for growing your reach and increasing your chances of getting playlisted. By working with other artists, especially those who have similar or complementary audiences, you can tap into their fanbase and increase your exposure. Collaborative playlists that feature one song from both you and the artists you work with can further enhance your visibility on Spotify. Cross-promoting these playlists on social media platforms not only benefits your collaborators but also helps build a stronger community of listeners around your music. The more active and engaged your network is, the more likely curators and Spotify algorithms will take notice, leading to greater opportunities for playlist placement.

Engage with Playlist Communities

Playlist communities on social media platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook offer unique opportunities to connect with other artists and playlist curators. These communities often discuss strategies for playlisting, share playlists, and offer feedback on songs. By engaging with these groups, you can identify key indie curators who are looking for new music to add to their playlists. Participation in these communities also allows you to form relationships that may lead to playlist placements or collaborative playlist projects. In addition, you can gain valuable insights from other artists about what has worked for them in terms of pitching and promotion.

Joining playlist communities also exposes your music to a wider audience. Many curators within these groups are constantly on the lookout for fresh tracks to add to their playlists, particularly if they focus on niche genres or emerging talent. Engaging in meaningful conversations, sharing your experiences, and even providing feedback to others can lead to organic playlist placements and valuable connections that can benefit your career in the long run.

Create Collaborative Campaigns with Influencers

In today’s digital landscape, influencers wield considerable power when it comes to promoting music. Collaborating with influencers who have a significant following on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube can give your track the push it needs to gain visibility and land on playlists. Influencers often create their own playlists or have connections to curators, making them valuable partners in your playlisting strategy. By collaborating with influencers who align with your brand and musical style, you can reach a broader audience and potentially boost your chances of getting featured on both independent and algorithmic playlists.

The Path to Spotify Playlist Success

Securing a spot on Spotify playlists in 2024 requires a strategic approach that combines creative promotion, data-driven decisions, and consistent audience engagement. Understanding how to get your song on a playlist involves not only pitching your track through tools like Spotify for Artists but also building relationships with curators and consistently engaging with your audience to show momentum. By using Spotify for Artists to pitch your music, targeting the right curators, and curating your own or independently curated playlists, you can increase your visibility on the platform. Additionally, leveraging data analytics and collaborating with other artists will help expand your reach and strengthen your chances of securing Spotify editorial playlist placements. With persistence and the right strategy, you can elevate your music and reach millions of listeners worldwide.

By signing up with Venice, you gain access to a platform designed to streamline your releases and enhance your playlist pitching strategy. With tools like Co-Manager, Venice makes it easier to craft personalized pitches for Spotify editors and independent curators, drawing from insights gathered from hundreds of successful submissions. Additionally, Venice gives you access to Spotify’s Discovery Mode, helping you boost key tracks within Spotify’s algorithm to maximize exposure. Start releasing with Venice today to expand your reach, amplify your visibility, and increase your chances of securing playlist placements that can help your music reach millions of listeners worldwide.