Spotify Playlist Submission: The Complete Process
For Artists
Spotify playlist submission works differently depending on the playlist type. For editorial playlists, you pitch through Spotify for Artists before release day. For user-generated playlists, you submit directly to curators through their preferred channels. For third-party platforms like SubmitHub or Groover, you pay a small fee for a curator's guaranteed listen. Each path has different rules, timelines, and expectations.
Getting on a playlist is one of the most asked-about topics in music. But most artists treat playlist submission as a single task when it is actually three different processes with three different gatekeepers. Conflating them leads to wasted pitches, wasted money, and frustration.
This guide covers the submission process for each playlist type: what to send, who to send it to, and when. For the strategy behind pitching (what curators want, how to follow up, how to time your campaign), see the companion playlist pitching guide. For the Spotify for Artists pitch tool specifically, see the S4A playlist pitching walkthrough.
The Spotify for Artists Analytics Guide covers how to track the results once your song lands.
Submitting to Spotify Editorial Playlists
Editorial playlists are curated by Spotify's in-house team. New Music Friday, RapCaviar, Pollen, and hundreds of genre and mood playlists fall into this category. You cannot email an editor. You cannot pay for placement. The only path is the pitch tool inside Spotify for Artists.
The timeline
Upload your release to your distributor at least 3-4 weeks before release day. Once the release appears in your Spotify for Artists dashboard (usually 1-7 days after upload), the pitch option becomes available. You need that gap between upload and release to pitch before the song goes live.
For a detailed breakdown of the optimal timeline, see the submission timeline guide.
What the pitch form asks
The pitch form has a few required fields and one free-text field that determines most of your success.
Genre and subgenre. Pick the most specific options available. "Pop" is too broad. "Indie Pop" or "Bedroom Pop" gives the editor a clearer picture of which playlist your song fits.
Mood and style descriptors. Spotify provides a list. Select the ones that match your song's feel, not the ones you think sound cool. Editors use these tags to slot songs into mood-based playlists.
Instruments and production style. Be accurate. If the song is guitar-driven with minimal production, say that. If it is heavily produced with synths and programmed drums, say that. These details help editors match your song to the right context.
The free-text field. This is where your pitch lives or dies. You get about 500 characters. Use them to describe what the song sounds like, what it is about, and any context that makes the release noteworthy (a music video dropping, a tour announcement, press coverage). Do not use this space to list your career accomplishments or explain why you deserve a placement.
What a strong pitch looks like
Weak Pitch | Strong Pitch |
|---|---|
"This is my best song yet. I've been working hard and I know it will connect with listeners." | "Lo-fi R&B with pitched-down vocals over a jazz piano sample. Lyrics about the specific loneliness of moving to a new city alone. Similar energy to early Frank Ocean demos. Music video directed by [name] dropping release week." |
"Pop banger, perfect for any playlist." | "Upbeat synth-pop with a disco bassline and falsetto chorus. Written during a summer road trip. Fits playlists like Feelin' Good or Indie Pop." |
The first column talks about the artist. The second column talks about the song. Editors are selecting songs for playlists, not evaluating careers.
After you submit
Most pitches are not selected. Spotify receives hundreds of thousands of submissions per week. A rejection means the song did not fit the current editorial plan. It does not mean the song is bad. Keep pitching every release. Editors notice artists who consistently submit well-crafted pitches.
Even if your pitch is not selected for editorial placement, submitting ensures your release is delivered to your followers' Release Radar. The pitch process feeds the algorithmic system regardless of the editorial outcome.
Submitting to User-Generated Playlists
User-generated playlists range from a friend's 12-follower workout mix to an independent curator's 500,000-follower genre playlist. The submission process is less formal but requires more research.
Finding the right curators
Look for playlists that match your genre, mood, and audience size. A 5,000-follower niche playlist where your song fits perfectly will generate better engagement metrics than a 200,000-follower playlist where your song is out of place. Skips from mismatched listeners hurt your algorithmic profile.
Resources for finding curators: check the independent playlist curators guide and the user playlist submission strategy. Many curators list submission info in their playlist descriptions or social media bios.
How to submit
Most independent curators accept submissions through one of three channels:
Direct messages on social media. Find the curator's Instagram or Twitter. Send a short, specific message with a link to the song.
Email. Some curators list an email address in their playlist description. Use it.
Submission forms. Larger curators sometimes run Google Forms or dedicated submission pages.
Keep your message short. Include the song title, a one-sentence description of the sound, and why it fits their specific playlist. Do not send a generic blast to 200 curators. Targeted submissions to 10-20 playlists that match your sound convert at a much higher rate and protect your reputation.
Submitting Through Third-Party Platforms
Platforms like SubmitHub, Groover, and Musosoup sit between artists and curators. You pay a small fee ($1-$3 per submission) for a curator's guaranteed listen and written feedback. Placement is never guaranteed. Curators decline most submissions.
What these platforms offer
Access to a curated database of playlist curators, blogs, and influencers
Guaranteed response within a set timeframe (usually 48-72 hours)
Written feedback explaining why a curator accepted or declined
Filtering by genre, playlist size, and platform
What they do not offer
Guaranteed placement. Any service that promises a specific number of streams or guaranteed spots on playlists is either running bots or lying. Both cost you money and can damage your Spotify profile.
How to get the most from paid submissions
Target curators whose playlists match your genre closely. Read their recent adds to see if your sound fits. Write a pitch that describes the song, not your career. Submit 10-15 targeted pitches rather than blasting 50 random curators. Track which curators add your songs and maintain those relationships for future releases.
The Submission Checklist
Before you submit to any playlist type, confirm:
Your Spotify for Artists profile is complete (bio, photo, header, Artist Pick).
Your release is uploaded to your distributor at least 3-4 weeks before release day (for editorial pitches).
Your pitch describes the song's sound, mood, and context, not your career.
You have researched the playlist or curator to confirm genre fit.
Your social media and website are active and up to date (curators check).
You have a plan for what happens after placement (profile optimization, social follow-up, email capture).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many playlists should I submit to per release?
For editorial: one pitch through Spotify for Artists. For user-generated and third-party: 10-20 well-targeted playlists is more effective than 100 random submissions.
Can I submit the same song to multiple playlist types at the same time?
Yes. Editorial submission through Spotify for Artists, direct outreach to independent curators, and third-party platform submissions can all run simultaneously. They are separate processes with separate gatekeepers.
How soon before release day should I start submitting?
Editorial pitches: 3-4 weeks before release. Independent curators: 1-2 weeks before or on release day. Third-party platforms: 1 week before release for best results.
Read Next:
Coordinate Your Playlist Campaign
Playlist submission is one piece of a release plan that includes promotion, follow-up, and conversion. Orphiq helps you build the full timeline so your pitch is part of a strategy, not an isolated task.