So you’ve just released your hit on Spotify. You’re feeling thrilled. You’re eager for more people to listen to your music. Now you’re wondering, “How can I reach an audience?” Don’t worry, my friend. We’ve all been, in that situation before. I’m here to guide you through the world of Spotify playlists.
Cracking the Playlist Code; Sorting Real, from Fake
Lets be honest navigating the world of Spotify playlists can be quite perplexing. You might be pondering;
How do I distinguish between playlists and those filled with bot followers?
What if I receive an invitation to join a playlist with followers? How can I verify its authenticity?
Grab a drink and relax because we’re going to explain it all. We’ll teach you how to identify high quality playlists from ones without requiring you to spend money on tools. Lets delve into it!Lets delve into the world of Spotify playlists before diving into the details. There are three types of playlists you’ll come across on Spotify;
1. Editorial Playlists; The Top Contenders
These playlists are the crème de la crème, curated by Spotify itself and showcasing the artists and tracks globally. Some examples include;
“Todays Top Hits”, with a 34 million followers
” 50 Global” attracting 17.1 million listeners
“RapCaviar” for hip hop enthusiasts with 15.2 million followers
“Viva Latino” heating things up with 13.5 million followers
“Rock Classics” rocking out with 11.9 million fans
“Beast Mode” motivating 10 million gym enthusiasts
“I Love My 90s Hip Hop” taking people on a nostalgic journey with 7.6 million followers
These playlists have serious influence, capable of propelling lesser known tracks to stardom overnight. While Spotify does allow artists to submit their music for consideration it’s akin, to winning the lottery – few indie artists have successfully navigated this process.
So how can you increase your chances of getting your song featured on these playlists?
It’s all, about gaining momentum. You have to attract a number of listeners by utilizing user generated and algorithm based playlists. If you manage to create a buzz you might grab the attention of Spotifys team.
Just a friendly reminder – if someone suggests getting your music featured on editorial or algorithmic playlists in exchange for money be cautious. It’s not trustworthy. Its best to avoid offers.
Algorithm based Playlists; The Brainy Ones
These playlistsre like the geniuses of the Spotify realm. They are automatically curated by Spotifys algorithm using machine learning and data analysis. The algorithm examines a listeners history and preferences to anticipate which songs or artists they might enjoy. It’s akin, to having a DJ who understands your music taste better than you do.
The fascinating aspect of algorithm based playlists is that they evolve with each users listening habits. Unlike playlists curated by humans they can delve into niche or personalized recommendations. Some liked algorithmic playlists include;
Discover Weekly;
Think of it as your personal music exploration avenue. Every Monday you receive 30 tracks tailored to your preferences.
Release Radar;
This weekly music selection helps you stay updated on the releases, from the musicians you follow and enjoy listening to.
Daily Mixes;
These playlists cover a variety of music genres. Are updated daily based on your listening preferences.
You can use One Submit’s unique Spotify ads campaign, they tend to trigger Spotify’s algorithmic playlists and manage to place the artist song on one of these playlists.
User Curated Playlists; The Unexplored Territory
Things get intriguing here. Any Spotify user has the ability to create a playlist the term “user curated.” You may have come across some of these;
Rap Nation
Rock Legends
Lofi Girl
Latin Hits
Viva Latino
Trap Nation
Coffee Chill
Many popular tracks actually kick off their journey on these user created playlists before moving up to the leagues.
Now lets dive deeper. These are the playlists that require scrutiny. Why? Because it’s quite simple for someone to manipulate the follower count and enhance a playlists appeal artificially. Don’t get me wrong – most of these playlists are genuine. Can significantly boost streams, for artists. However it’s crucial to discern between quality and quantity.
Playing Detective with Playlists
Time to channel your detective skills, Sherlock Holmes style.
Lets go over how to tell if a Spotify playlist is great or not so great. Take, for instance the playlist named “Roadtrip Indie Rock & Indie Pop.” The genre isn’t crucial here so don’t focus much on that detail. With, around 20K followers this playlist might seem impressive at glance.. Lets delve deeper. Here’s the drill; Choose a song from the middle of the playlist of opting for one from the 10 or bottom ranks. Ensure that the song was added to the playlist 2 3 weeks to allow time for stream updates. Click on the artists name below the song title – in our case lets look at track number 19 “Who You Are” by Damien McFly. Once you’re, on the artists Spotify page scroll down to find the “Discovered On” section and click on “Show all.” This is where it gets intriguing – if you spot the playlist you’re inspecting in this list it bodes well. The higher its position here the more streams it brings in for the artist.
In our example the “Roadtrip” playlist appears as the option, in the list. This indicates that it’s the effective playlist for increasing streams for this specific song. This suggests that the playlist is credible and has listeners.
If you can’t locate the playlist in the “Discovered On” section there’s no need to worry. Cross reference it with another song from the playlist. Remember, that song should have been part of the playlist for two weeks and ensure that the playlist doesn’t contain an overwhelming number of songs.
If you’re still unable to find it it could be a warning sign. It may indicate that the playlist isn’t attracting listeners and could possibly be a list driven by bots.
Now that you understand how to identify a quality playlist lets discuss how to feature your music on them. You have two options;
1. The Do It Yourself Approach
Once you’ve pinpointed some playlists that align with your music style you can attempt to find contact information, for the curator of those playlists and reach out via email. Be prepared – this process requires an amount of time and patience.
Most of the time you may not receive a response. Playlist curators receive emails daily. May not have the time to reply to each artist. I can relate as I’ve been, in your shoes as an artist myself.
Another option is to utilize a music submission platform. These platforms aid in connecting artists with playlist curators, music blogs, online radio stations, YouTube channels, TikTok influencers and even record labels.
Here’s how it typically works;
You submit your track through the platform.A team of curators evaluates your music.
If a curator likes your sound they may include it in their playlist.
Just keep in mind – for responses ensure your song is top notch. If you’re considering submitting a demo it’s best not to waste your time or money. Make sure your track is polished and ready for the spotlight.
Most platforms allow you to select your genre so that you don’t end up submitting your death metal track to a jazz playlist.. If none of the curators show interest many platforms offer refunds, for your submission fee.
Visit One Submit’s Spotify promotion service, for more information.
“The Playlist Grind; Closing Remarks
Navigating the world of Spotify playlists can be quite the journey. Don’t let it overwhelm you. The key is to stay focused, on creating music. Concentrate on producing tracks that resonate with listeners and playlist opportunities will naturally come your way.
Here are a few last pointers to bear in mind;
Practice patience. Building a fanbase on Spotify requires time and dedication.
Interact with your supporters. Engage with comments and messages. Foster a community around your creations.
Diversify your efforts. While Spotify playlists are beneficial ensure you also promote your music across platforms.
Collaborate with musicians. This can introduce you to audiences and secure spots on playlists.
Stay adaptive. Keep learning. The music landscape is ever evolving. Remain inquisitive and receptive to tactics.
Recall that every successful artist had beginnings. Keep pushing enhancing your craft and showcasing your work. With talent, perseverance and a touch of playlist know how you’ll be on track, to expanding your presence on Spotify.
So go there. Make some noise!”
“. You know, the type of music that everyone loves to add to their playlists.”
