HOW TO GET ON SPOTIFY'S BIGGEST PLAYLISTS

ARTICLE - 12/01/2026

Here’s the deal: if your music is on Spotify, you absolutely NEED to be using Spotify for Artists.

If you haven’t already, sign up today and link your artist profile to Spotify for Artists—it’s a must!

Just like Amazon Music for Artists, Spotify for Artists provides a suite of powerful tools to help you promote and refine your music strategy. But the real game-changer? Direct playlist pitching.

You can access Spotify for Artists on both the app and desktop, and there are two ways to pitch your tracks for playlists in 2026:

1. Once you’re signed in, go to the ‘Home’ tab on your dashboard and select ‘Pitch a song to our editors.’

2. Alternatively, navigate to the ‘Music’ tab, select ‘Upcoming,’ and then click ‘Pitch a song.’

From here, you’ll get to choose the specific track you want to pitch. Spotify will then prompt you to provide detailed information about your release. Accuracy here is crucial—filling out all fields thoughtfully will improve your chances of being selected!

Don’t forget to include relevant metadata and share the creative influences behind your track. The more specific you are, the better curators will understand your music.

Before submitting, double-check everything to ensure it’s correct, then click ‘Submit.’ Once your pitch is submitted, Spotify will email you at the address linked to your Spotify for Artists account to confirm if your track has been accepted for playlisting.

Here are a few important tips to keep in mind:

You can only pitch unreleased music. Once your tracks are uploaded and accepted by Spotify (which may take a few days), they’ll appear in your Spotify for Artists ‘Upcoming Releases.’

No pitching for compilations or tracks where you’re a featured artist. You can only pitch songs where you’re the lead artist, so plan accordingly.

Timing is key—upload your music with plenty of lead time. The latest you should be pitching is at least 7 days before release, but ideally, submit your tracks several weeks in advance to maximize your chances of being heard.

Spotify’s curators review thousands of submissions daily, so the earlier you pitch, the better your odds. Also, you can only submit one track per release. If you’re releasing an album or EP, choose the song that’s most likely to stand out for playlists.

For independently curated playlists (those not created by Spotify), you’ll need to do a bit of research. Thousands of popular independent playlists exist, run by curators ranging from media outlets to everyday Spotify users. Spend time searching for playlists that match your style, take note of who owns them, and track down their contact details via Google or use a genuine Spotify Playlist Pitching service.

To stay organized, create a spreadsheet of your target playlist contacts. Once you have the details, reach out with polite, concise emails including prominent links to your Spotify tracks. Make it as easy as possible for curators to listen to your music.

Don’t forget about Spotify’s algorithm-driven playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar. These playlists are personalized for each user and can generate significant streams if you leverage them effectively.

To appear on someone’s Release Radar playlist, just get them to follow you on Spotify. Every time you release new music, it will automatically show up in their Release Radar.

Spotify UK’s director of artists and management has noted that Release Radar generates more streams than Spotify's editorial playlists, making it a crucial tool for exposure.

Discover Weekly works differently. It’s built using algorithms that analyze listening habits to recommend songs users haven’t heard yet. While you can’t pitch directly to Discover Weekly, driving engagement on your tracks can help the algorithm pick you up.

Spotify values artists who bring listeners to their platform. Share your Spotify links everywhere—on social media, your website, and beyond. The more traffic you drive, the more likely Spotify’s algorithms will favor your tracks.

Growing your followers is also essential. Playlist curators are more likely to take you seriously if you have a solid following. Encourage friends, family, and fans to follow you on Spotify, and promote your account consistently across all channels.

Remember, any new music you release will automatically be sent to your followers’ Release Radar playlists. So, the bigger your audience, the greater your reach!