How to Use Spotify Discovery Mode to Boost Your Streams

Spotify Discovery Mode offers artists access to a unique feature that can significantly enhance the visibility of their music within the Spotify app. By signaling tracks that are a priority to the Spotify algorithm, artists can increase the likelihood of their songs being featured in algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly, Release Radar, and Daily Mix. While Discovery Mode does not guarantee streams, it can be a powerful music marketing tool for reaching new listeners and growing your fanbase. Now, this tool is accessible through the Venice Platform, giving artists an even more streamlined way to leverage Spotify’s algorithm to their advantage. Here's a detailed guide on how to use Spotify Discovery Mode to maximize your reach, now available on the Venice platform.

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What is Spotify Discovery Mode?

Spotify Discovery Mode  is a groundbreaking music marketing tool designed to help both independent artists and label teams boost the visibility of their tracks. By leveraging this feature through Spotify for Artists, you can signal which songs are essential to you, prompting the Spotify algorithm to prioritize these selected songs in personalized playlists, Spotify Radio, and Autoplay. This can lead to more streams and introduce your music to new listeners, making it an invaluable tool for building a larger audience in a competitive streaming platform.

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How Discovery Mode Operates

Discovery Mode operates at both the artist and track levels, impacting song recommendations and streaming royalties based on listener engagement. When a track is opted into Discovery Mode, it becomes more likely to appear in Discovery Mode contexts, including playlists curated by the algorithm. Spotify analyzes user interactions with these tracks to determine their suitability for further recommendations, considering factors such as genre, song length, tempo, and language. This process does not guarantee placement in playlists but increases the chances of being recommended to potential fans who are likely to enjoy your music.

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Eligibility Criteria for Accessing Discovery Mode

To access Discovery Mode, artists and label teams must meet specific eligibility criteria. This includes having at least 25,000 monthly listeners, being a registered artist on Spotify for Artists, having a verified profile, and being a Venice Pro Member. Eligible tracks for Discovery Mode must be active on the platform and meet Spotify's guidelines. Once these criteria are met, artists can opt into Discovery Mode via the Venice Member portal.

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Spotify's Guidelines:

• It's distributed through Venice
• It's been released on Spotify for at least 30 days
• It's been streamed at least 20 times in Discovery Mode contexts in the last 28 days. Learn more about Discovery Mode contexts
• It met Spotify’s monetization eligibility criteria in the previous month

Getting Started with Discovery Mode

Once you've met the eligibility criteria, the next step is to start using Discovery Mode.
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‍Here's how:

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Step 1: Navigate to the Spotify Discovery Mode: Go to the Marketing page on the Venice Platform and find the Spotify Discovery Mode tab to explore the available Discovery Mode campaign options.‍

Step 2: Select Tracks for Discovery Mode: Choose which tracks you want to opt into Discovery Mode. It's best to start with a few tracks to test how well they perform.‍

Step 3: Plan the Campaign Period: Discovery Mode runs on a month-to-month basis, so plan your campaign period strategically to maximize impact.‍

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Step 4: Monitor Performance: Throughout the campaign, regularly check performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments.Choosing the Right Songs for Discovery Mode

Selecting the right tracks is crucial for the success of your Discovery Mode campaign. Opt for songs that already show some growth or engagement. For example, if a song is gaining traction on social media or fits a current trend, it may be an excellent candidate for Discovery Mode. Additionally, using Discovery Mode to promote older releases around the rollout of a new single or album can supercharge your presence on the platform and attract more listeners.

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How to Use Discovery Mode Contexts to get your Music Heard

Discovery Mode contexts refer to the various ways Spotify uses the algorithm to promote selected songs. This includes personalized playlists, Autoplay, and Spotify Radio. By opting into Discovery Mode, your tracks have a higher chance of being featured in these contexts, reaching hundreds of thousands of potential listeners across different markets. This exposure can lead to a significant increase in streams, especially if the track resonates well with the audience.

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Timing and Virality: The Right Time to Use Discovery Mode

Timing is critical when opting songs into Discovery Mode. If a song is showing growth or going viral on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, it's an excellent time to activate Discovery Mode. Aligning your Discovery Mode campaign with current trends, holidays, or moods can significantly increase discovery mode streams and attract new listeners. For example, if your track has a summery vibe, consider opting it into Discovery Mode during the summer months to embrace relevant moments.

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Enhancing Discovery Mode with Spotify's Marketing Tools

To maximize the impact of Discovery Mode, combine it with other Spotify marketing tools like Canvas, Clips, and pinned tracks. Use Canvas to add engaging visuals to your songs, Clips to share behind-the-scenes content, and pin important tracks to playlists like "This Is..." to highlight your music. Spotify Radio can also be a valuable part of your Discovery Mode strategy, as the algorithm recommends songs to listeners who are likely to enjoy them, potentially boosting your artist's reach.

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Starting Small: Test and Learn

When starting with Discovery Mode, begin with a few tracks to gauge audience response. Use this testing phase to learn which tracks resonate most with your audience and refine your strategy based on performance insights. Analyzing the data from this phase can inform future campaigns, allowing you to strategically select tracks that have the potential to drive more streams and attract new fans.

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Crafting a Strategic Activation Plan

Activate Discovery Mode during key marketing moments such as teaser campaigns, music video releases, or tour announcements. This strategic activation can amplify visibility and engagement, ensuring your songs reach as many streams as possible during high-traffic periods. For instance, if you're releasing a new single, activate Discovery Mode on related tracks to create a ripple effect that boosts overall engagement across your catalog.

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Building a Long-Term Strategy with Discovery Mode

Discovery Mode should be viewed as part of a holistic marketing strategy. Integrate it with off-platform efforts like social media campaigns, email marketing, and live events to amplify its reach. By coordinating Discovery Mode with other promotional activities, you create a more comprehensive approach to building lifelong fans and sustaining long-term growth. Remember, Discovery Mode makes your music more discoverable, but it’s your overall strategy that will turn new listeners into dedicated fans.

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Venice Team Strategy for Utilizing Discovery Mode

We highly recommend using Discovery Mode to promote your new track or upcoming releases. It can greatly expand your audience by showing your music to more listeners based on their tastes.

Want to see how our team uses Discovery Mode and the Marquee feature?

Check out the case study on Venice artist, thuy, in partnership with Spotify for Artists featuring the Venice Team.

Benefits of Using Discovery Mode

Using Discovery Mode offers several benefits, including increased visibility and the potential for long-term fanbase growth. According to Spotify, artists who use Discovery Mode see an average increase of +50% in saves, +44% in user playlist adds, and +37% in follows during the first month. Furthermore, 58% of all first-time artist discoveries from tracks in Discovery Mode come from listeners outside the artist’s home country. This global reach can significantly expand your audience and connect you with new fans across different markets.

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Setting Realistic Expectations

While Discovery Mode can be a valuable tool, it is essential to have realistic expectations. It does not guarantee success or a specific number of streams. The effectiveness of Discovery Mode largely depends on factors such as the quality of the music, timing, and audience engagement. It should be used as part of a broader marketing strategy rather than the sole promotional tool for your music.

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Monitoring and Adjustments

Regularly monitoring performance metrics is crucial for optimizing your Discovery Mode campaign. If a track isn't resonating within Discovery Mode, consider removing it to avoid negative impacts on algorithm recommendations. Adjust your strategy based on the performance insights, such as audience retention rates, saves, and playlist adds, to ensure you’re making informed decisions that align with your goals.

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Integrating Discovery Mode into Overall Marketing Strategy

View Discovery Mode as a complement to your existing marketing efforts. Coordinate its use with activities like social media promotions, email newsletters, and live performances to create a unified marketing approach. By integrating Discovery Mode with other strategies, you can drive more streams and enhance your music's visibility across multiple platforms, leading to more listeners discovering your music. Reminder, Venice's Co-Manager tool can help you build a strategy to get the most out of Discovery Mode.

How Discovery Mode Works with the Spotify Algorithm

Discovery Mode leverages the Spotify algorithm to prioritize selected songs in personalized playlists. When a user listens to a song in Discovery Mode, the algorithm considers various factors, including genre, tempo, and language, to decide whether to continue recommending the song. Additionally, it analyzes user interactions such as saves, skips, and playlist adds to determine the song's priority within Discovery Mode contexts. This data-driven approach enables artists to reach listeners who are most likely to engage with their music, maximizing the potential for audience growth.

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Combining Discovery Mode with Spotify Radio

Spotify Radio is another feature that can enhance your Discovery Mode strategy. The algorithm recommends songs to listeners based on their listening habits, creating a personalized radio experience. By including your tracks in Discovery Mode, they are more likely to be featured in Spotify Radio, increasing visibility and engagement with listeners who enjoy similar music styles.

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Using Discovery Mode for Old and New Releases

Think creatively about how to use Discovery Mode in your marketing strategy. For example, you can use it to revive older tracks or create thematic playlists that align with current trends or moods. These creative approaches can help you maintain a dynamic presence on Spotify and continuously attract new listeners.

Discovery Mode can be especially effective for new releases. When launching a new song or album, opt into Discovery Mode to give it an initial boost and increase its chances of being featured in playlists and radio. This early momentum can help your new release gain traction on the platform and reach a broader audience.

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Upfront Budget and Cost Considerations

One of the advantages of Discovery Mode is that it does not require an upfront cost, making it an accessible option for independent artists. However, it's essential to consider how the reduced streaming royalties factor into your overall budget and long-term strategy. The trade-off for higher visibility may be worthwhile if it results in a significant increase in streams and new fans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I access Discovery Mode?
A: To access Discovery Mode, artists and label teams must meet the eligibility criteria and opt-in their tracks through the Venice Platform.

• It's distributed through Venice
• It's been released on Spotify for at least 30 days
• It's been streamed at least 20 times in Discovery Mode contexts in the last 28 days. Learn more about Discovery Mode contexts
• It met Spotify’s monetization eligibility criteria in the previous month

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Q: How does Discovery Mode work?
A: Discovery Mode uses the Spotify algorithm to prioritize selected songs in personalized playlists and analyzes user interactions to determine whether to continue recommending the song.

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Q: What are the benefits of using Discovery Mode?
A: The benefits include increased visibility, long-term fanbase growth, and access to new listeners, potentially resulting in more streams and followers.

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Q: Is Discovery Mode a guarantee of success?
A: No, Discovery Mode is not a guarantee of success, and artists should have realistic expectations about the results. It is a tool to enhance your overall marketing strategy.

Conclusion

Spotify Discovery Mode is a powerful tool for artists and label teams to increase the visibility of their music and drive longer-term fanbase growth. By understanding how Discovery Mode works and having realistic expectations, artists can make the most of this groundbreaking music marketing tool. Its ability to prioritize selected songs in personalized playlists and analyze user interaction makes it an essential tool for any artist looking to succeed in the competitive music environment. Now that Discovery Mode is available through the Venice Platform, artists have an even more accessible way to enhance their reach and connect with listeners. Explore Discovery Mode on the Venice Music platform today to amplify your reach and let the results speak for themselves. Click here to become a Pro Member and get access to Discovery Mode.