How To Get On Spotify Editorial Playlists 2024

How To Get On Spotify Editorial Playlists 2024

How do you get on Spotify Editorial Playlist? In this article we will be covering many important aspects of Spotify Editorial Playlists. These tips and tricks can improved your chances of successfully landing a placement on one of these amazing playlists. Hello, my name is Grizzly Beatz and I am a LoFi music producer from Los Angeles, CA. I have been producing beats for well over a decade now and excited to share with the music community some information I have learned regarding editorial playlists. Below is an overview of what we will  be covering to help you get on Spotify editorial playlists.  

• benefits of Spotify editorial playlist placements
• how to prepare your song for the playlist(s)
• how to schedule your release
• how to pitch your song to the editorial curators
• how to improve your chances by positive pre & post release signals

Benefits of Editorial Playlist Placements.

It is no secret that getting on an editorial placement can be a game changer for any musician. I have been fortunate enough to get on several Spotify Editorial placements within a few of each other. My first playlist placements was with Spotify Gold Instrumental Beats in October 2022. The next month in November 2022 I landed a placement in their Late Night Beats Playlist. Then in January of 2023, I landed another Editorial Playlist "LoFi Cafe" playlist. 

These playlist have contributed hundreds of thousands of streams as well as thousands of new monthly listeners and followers. I also noticed that many user generated playlist curators were finding my song on the editorial playlist and adding it to their playlist. I am gaining about 50 new Spotify followers a day and about 3-4K streams a day on average. I was able to achieve this without a record lable, and without knowing anyone over at Spotify. Just by creating quality music, perfecting my pitch and doing what I can to show Spotify to take me seriously. We will cover the steps below. 

How To Prepare Your Song For The Editorial Playlists. 

Its a good idea to create a song specifically for the editorial playlists that you are trying to get placed on. Listen closely to the playlist. What instruments do you hear, what is the mood, the tempo, the length of the track. Also pay attention to the titles and album cover styles. This is what you will want in the back of your mind once you finished your song. Try to make a track that fits the feel of the playlist. Also shorter songs tend to do better, try to keep under the 3 minute mark. Pay attention to how the songs in the playlist end, do they end abruptly or short fade out. I noticed that long fade outs tend to not do well, as listeners may think the song stop playing or internet went out and will skip or restart their Spotify. 
​
​When mixing and mastering your song make sure to check the loudness of the track (Lufs) using a loudness meter plug-in. You want your mastered track to be around -12dB. Spotify will lower to -14dB but it is better to have the track slightly louder than it is to be lower than -14dB and Spotify having to increase the level. 

Spotify Song Title And Artwork.

When choosing a song title, it  helps to choose something that fits the mood of the playlist(s) that you plan to submit to. For example the track that I got added to the LoFi Cafe editorial playlist was titled "Mocha". I believe this helped capture the attention of the curator. I also made sure to take note of the artwork styles being used by others in the playlist. In the LoFi/Chillhop genre popular styles include anime characters or colorful artistic images, so ultimately this was the type of cover I went with for this release. 

Spotify Pro Tip: Release More Singles.

Since with albums you can only submit one song off the album to the editorials, you should focus on releasing tracks as singles. You can release several tracks as singles (spread out with 4 weeks in between releases) and pitch all of them. Then you can release an album with those same songs with a few new ones sprinkled in. This time with the album you can pitch one of the newly added tracks. If you provide the same ISRC numbers for the singles on the album release, the streams from the single release will carry over to the album. 

Collaborate With Other Spotify Artists & Producers.

Did you know that collaborating with other artists and producers that have been featured on Spotify Editorial Playlists before can increase your chances of having the track added to one. To do this you must put the collaborator as a Primary Artists when uploading through your DSP like Distrokid. This way it will appear in both artist's Spotify for Artists app, meaning both will be able to pitch it. The track will also show up on multiple profiles meaning more exposure. When pitching the Editorial Curators can see a list of editorial playlists any of the artists submitting have been featured on in the past. This will increase the chances of them taking you seriously. 

Consider Releasing Through A Label On Spotify. 

Before releasing your song on your own, consider releasing it through record labels that support your genre. I make LoFi beats so I will pitch to several record labels first to see if any will be willing to do a label release. This year I will have releases with labels like Chill Moon Music, Lifted LoFi Records, Widen Island, Retune Project and more. Having a release with a known label can help increase your chances of an editorial playlist placement as well as being discovered by their audience. Note that you will most likely need to split all streaming royalties 50/50 with the label. 

Complete and Claim Your Spotify Profile. 

Head to the Spotify For Artist page (http://artists.spotify.com), log in with your artist account and fill out your profile information as completely as possible. You also want to make sure that you claim and verify your profile. This will get you the blue checkmark by your name on your Spotify profile. 

Tips for creating a great Spotify artist profile: Your profile is an important part of the decision-making process when it comes to inclusion on playlists. Spotify takes pride in their platform as the number one music streaming service, and their playlist curators give preference to artists who offer detailed profiles that include great photos and graphics. Don’t skimp on this area — take the time to write an appealing biography, and be sure to include plenty of photos, logos, and other artwork along with links to your website and social media accounts.

Below are some videos from Spotify For Artists that covers completing your profile, verifying your profile and updating your profile image. 

How To Schedule Your Spotify Release. 

You want to be able to pitch to the editorial curators at least 4 weeks prior to release. Many would say that Friday's are the best day to release new music, but out of the several placements I have had only one was release of a Friday, the others were released on a Tuesday. This might be because there is less competition and better chances you will get listened to. 

So in order to pitch the song needs to be in your Spotify For Artists upcoming releases section at least 4 weeks prior to release. So you need to upload your song through your DSP like Distrokid at least 5 weeks before its release to give it time to get sent over to Spotify For Artists. Distrokid is a great option for releasing your music through as you can release an unlimited amount for only $19 a year. Click here to join Distrokid and save 7%

In Spotify For Artists, click on music, then upcoming. You should see your future release track(s) there. ​

You will be able to pitch to the curators from here. Under the playlist pitch section you will see the option to pitch. We will cover the steps to pitching below. 
​

How To Pitch Your Song To The Spotify Editorial Playlist Curators.

​Now that your song has been uploaded, it’s time to submit the correct track information to Spotify. When you click on the PITCH A SONG button, you’ll be brought to a page that will ask you general information about your track.

Select the Main Genre of your song first, and then choose your Subgenres — categories that are more specific to your music style. Your Subgenre selection is critical, because it’s easier to get on smaller Subgenre editorial playlists than the larger main categories.

The next step in describing your song to Spotify is Music Culture, which relates to any religious or cultural influences on your music. For example, if your song contains Christian lyrics, it will have a higher chance to land on the Top Christian editorial playlist. If none of the culture options apply to your track, select the “None of these” option.

Moods, the next step in song description, lets you highlight the types of emotions you intend to convey with your track. After that is Song Styles, where you’ll indicate whether your track is a live production, an in-studio recording, an acoustic version, or something else. You’ll also choose the Language of your lyrics; whether the song is a cover, remix, or instrumental; and which instruments are featured in the track.

You can also specify your location during the submission process, in order to target local fans and playlists near you. For example, if you are from Ireland and your track is a folk song, you’ll have a good chance to get on editorial Spotify playlist Irish Folk – Ballads.

Finally, the Tell Us More section is where you’ll actually describe your song in order to pitch the track to Spotify’s curators. This section is crucial to demonstrate the quality and care that you placed into creating and recording the song, and will provide the curators with a sense of authenticity and priority during the selection process.

Now, it’s time for the real pitch. You must take care with the way you sell your music, or yourself as an artist, on Spotify. The curators are interested in how the submitted songs will impact themselves, their audience, and Spotify’s overall audience development. Be sure to include impactful details, if you have them, such as if you’ve worked with a well-known producer, collaborated with a recognized artist, or been featured on a popular show (e.g. podcast, YouTube channel, radio, or television). You should also add some keywords that describe which communities you want to influence and help narrow down your genre or style.

Below is an example of a pitch

" “Not A Care" is a chill and jazzy LoFi instrumental perfect for listening to while enjoying a cup of coffee or reading your favorite book. This track has been featured in several viral TikTok videos. It would be perfect for the "Lush LoFi" "LoFi Beats or "LoFi Cafe" playlists. It is scheduled to be featured on several industry blogs such as Word is Bond.  Grizzly Beatz is the youngest son of jazz drummer and composer Alphonse Mouzon, who recorded with Steve Wonder, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Weather Report, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, & more."

Below is a video where Spotify curators talk about what they look for in an artists and their music, what they consider a successful pitch and more. 

For more information on how to pitch to Spotify's editorial curators visit: ​Help - Pitching music to our playlist editors – Spotify for Artists

What Should You Do Pre & Post Your Spotify Release. 

First off if you are not curating your own playlist you need to start now. In these playlists you will want to include your own music but also include popular artists in your genre within them. This will help tell Spotify which artists are similar to you and will help you get your music added to their Artist Radio playlists. 

Along with this curating a playlist(s) can help you not only get your name out there within your genre but also increase your Spotify followers, pre-saves, playlist likes and more. Curators can use playlist submission gates like "DailyPlaylist.com". "Soundplate.com" or on their own website using "Toneden" to grow their following in return. This is a great way to start getting pre-saves on your upcoming release to start sending positive signals to the Spotify algorithm. If you do not want to curate your own playlist you can use Toneden as a submission gate for free downloads or special coupons.  To learn more about the Spotify Algorithm read my How The Spotify Algorithm Works In 2023 article. 

Once the track releases you will want to send as much traffic and listeners to the track. There are several ways of doing this, but below are a few. 

• Facebook & Instagram Ads
• Embed on your website
• Submit to Music blogs in your genre (many embeds send great signals to Spotify)
• Submit to user Spotify playlist (Ko-Fi.com, DailyPlaylist.com, Soundplate.com, etc)
• Post on Reddit Channels (r/Music and r/Spotify)
• Share on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, Facebook
• Email blast to your email list on the day of release

Be patient.

If you do not get added to a Spotify editorial playlist right away do not worry. I have had a track get added 3 weeks after its release, so keep promoting it for a good month after its release. If you don't land a playlist do not get discouraged and give up. It is a numbers game. The more you release and pitch the more of a chance you will land one. 

Highlights And Key Takeaways

1. Benefits of Editorial Playlist Placements: Landing a spot on Spotify editorial playlists can be a game-changer for any musician, leading to increased streams, new monthly listeners, and followers. It can also attract attention from user-generated playlist curators who may add your song to their playlists.
2. Preparing Your Song for Editorial Playlists: Create a song specifically tailored to the playlist you're targeting, paying attention to the playlist's mood, tempo, instrumentation, and track length. Aim for shorter songs under 3 minutes. Ensure a suitable mix and master with the right loudness levels.
3. Song Title and Artwork: Choose a song title that fits the playlist's mood, and consider the artwork styles used in the playlist. Aligning your title and artwork with the playlist's aesthetics can help capture the curator's attention.
4. Release Strategy: Releasing singles instead of albums allows you to pitch multiple tracks to the editorial curators. Release singles with a 4-week gap between them, pitch each one, and then compile them into an album with a few new tracks. This strategy maximizes exposure and carries over the streams from the singles to the album.
5. Collaborate with other Spotify artists: Collaborating with artists and producers who have been featured on Spotify editorial playlists increases your chances of getting added. When uploading, credit the collaborator as a Primary Artist to ensure the track appears on both profiles and can be pitched by both artists.
6. Consider Releasing Through a Label: Releasing your song through a record label that supports your genre can enhance your chances of playlist placements and audience discovery. However, note that you may need to split streaming royalties with the label.
7. Complete and Claim Your Spotify Profile: Fill out your Spotify for Artists profile completely, including a compelling biography, high-quality photos, logos, artwork, and links to your website and social media accounts. A well-curated profile can positively influence playlist curators.
8. Pitching Your Song: When pitching, provide accurate track information, select suitable genres and subgenres, describe the song's mood, style, and cultural influences. Highlight any noteworthy collaborations, features, or appearances. Craft a compelling pitch that demonstrates the quality and uniqueness of your music.
9. Pre and Post-Release Strategies: Curate your own playlists including your own music and popular artists in your genre. This helps Spotify identify similar artists and can lead to placements on Artist Radio playlists. Use playlist submission gates and platforms like Toneden to grow your following and generate pre-saves. Promote your music through social media, email blasts, blog submissions, and paid ads to drive traffic and listeners to your track.
10. Be Patient and Persistent: Getting added to Spotify editorial playlists may not happen immediately. Keep promoting your music even after release and don't get discouraged. It's a numbers game, and the more you release and pitch, the higher your chances of landing a playlist placement.

Closing. 

I hope these tips help you get on your next Spotify Editorial Playlist Placement. If you found any of these helpful I would appreciate if you comment below and share on social media and help spread the love and help other artists. Also if there are any tips and tricks that I may have left out please let me know in the comments section. Thank you so much for your time and wish you much success in your Spotify journey. 

---

Resources For Spotify Artists

Spotify Playlists Submissions

SoundPlate: https://soundplate.com/
Daily Playlists: ​https://dailyplaylists.com/
SubmitHub: ​https://www.submithub.com/
Ko-Fi: ​https://ko-fi.com/
Playlister Club: ​https://www.songtools.io/
Playlist Push: ​https://playlistpush.com/
Indie Mono: ​https://indiemono.com/music-submit/
Grizzly Beatz: https://www.grizzlybeatz.com/lofi-playlist-submissions

Spotify Growth Tools

Toneden: ​https://www.toneden.io/
Hypeddit: ​https://hypeddit.com/
Feature FM: ​https://feature.fm/

Digital Service Providers (DSP)

DistroKid: https://distrokid.com
TuneCore: https://www.tunecore.com/
CD Baby: https://cdbaby.com/
LANDR: ​https://www.landr.com/

---

FAQ'S

1. What are Spotify Editorial Playlists? Spotify Editorial Playlists are curated collections of songs created by Spotify's in-house team of editors and music experts. These playlists are carefully crafted to showcase the best and most popular tracks across various genres, moods, and themes.
​
2. How are songs selected for Spotify Editorial Playlists? The selection process for Spotify Editorial Playlists involves a combination of data-driven algorithms and human curation. Spotify's editors analyze a wide range of factors such as a song's popularity, streaming trends, cultural relevance, and artistic merit to curate playlists that resonate with listeners.

3. How can artists get their music considered for Spotify Editorial Playlists? Spotify has a submission system called Spotify for Artists, where artists or their representatives can submit their unreleased music for consideration. However, it's important to note that submitting a song does not guarantee placement on an editorial playlist. The final decision rests with Spotify's editorial team.

4. Can I pay to have my music featured on Spotify Editorial Playlists? No, it is not possible to pay for placement on Spotify Editorial Playlists. These playlists are curated based on the merits of the music and the artist's overall appeal. Spotify takes measures to ensure the integrity of the selection process and avoid any pay-to-play scenarios.

5. How often are Spotify Editorial Playlists updated? The frequency of updates varies depending on the specific playlist. Some playlists are updated daily, while others may be updated weekly or monthly. Spotify's editorial team strives to keep the playlists fresh and reflective of the latest music trends.

6. Can I follow Spotify Editorial Playlists? Yes, you can follow Spotify Editorial Playlists just like any other playlist on Spotify. By following these playlists, you'll stay updated with the latest songs added to them, and you'll have easy access to curated music for different moods, genres, and occasions.

7. Do Spotify Editorial Playlists influence an artist's popularity? Being featured on a Spotify Editorial Playlist can significantly impact an artist's exposure and popularity. These playlists have millions of followers, and being included can lead to increased streams, discovery by new listeners, and potentially other opportunities within the music industry.

8. How can I find Spotify Editorial Playlists? You can find Spotify Editorial Playlists by searching for specific genres, moods, or themes in the Spotify app or web player. Additionally, Spotify often promotes these playlists on their Browse and Home sections, making it easier for users to discover and explore curated content.

9. Can I submit my own playlist for consideration as an Editorial Playlist? No, Spotify Editorial Playlists are exclusively curated by Spotify's in-house team of editors. However, you can create your own playlists and share them with others. If your playlist gains popularity and receives a significant number of followers, it might be eligible for promotion in Spotify's algorithmic playlists.

10. Can I provide feedback or suggestions for Spotify Editorial Playlists? Spotify welcomes user feedback and suggestions. While you can't directly influence the content of Spotify Editorial Playlists, you can provide feedback to Spotify through their support channels or social media platforms. Your input may help shape future improvements or features on the platform.

Please note that the information provided here is accurate as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, and Spotify's policies and features may have changed since then. For the most up-to-date information, it's best to refer to Spotify's official website or contact their support team.

---

Related Articles

---

My Spotify 

Updated 3/6/2023