1. Why playlist placement matters
For an independent artist, Spotify playlists are one of the most powerful tools for organic growth. A single placement on a mid-sized playlist (5,000–50,000 followers) can deliver thousands of streams, trigger Spotify's algorithm, and land your track in Discover Weekly or Radio playlists for listeners who've never heard of you.
Unlike social media, playlist streams have staying power. A track added to an active playlist can keep generating streams for months — sometimes years — without any additional promotion on your part.
The challenge is that most artists don't know how to reach playlist curators or what to say when they do. That's exactly what this guide covers.
2. Types of Spotify playlists
Before you start pitching, you need to understand the three types of playlists on Spotify:
Editorial playlists
Curated by Spotify's internal team. These are the big ones — Today's Top Hits, RapCaviar, Mint. You can't reach out to Spotify editors directly, but you can pitch your upcoming releases through Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release. There's no guarantee of placement, but it's always worth doing.
Algorithmic playlists
Generated automatically for each user — Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mixes. These are driven by Spotify's algorithm based on listening behavior. Getting onto independent curator playlists with engaged audiences is one of the best ways to trigger algorithmic recommendations.
Independent curator playlists
Run by real people — bloggers, music enthusiasts, labels, and other artists. These are the ones you can pitch directly. There are hundreds of thousands of independent curator playlists on Spotify, covering every genre and mood imaginable. This is where PlaylistLookup comes in.
💡 Pro tip
Focus most of your energy on independent curator playlists. They're the ones you can actually reach, and a strong track record with independent playlists makes algorithmic and editorial placements more likely.
3. How to find playlist curators
There are several ways to find curators who might be interested in your music:
Use a curator database
The fastest method. Tools like PlaylistLookup give you direct access to thousands of curator contact details — email addresses and Instagram handles — filtered by genre, follower count, and contact availability. Instead of spending hours manually searching Spotify, you can find relevant curators in minutes.
Search Spotify directly
Search for your genre on Spotify and browse playlists. Click on a playlist, then click the curator's name. If their profile links to a website or social account, you may find contact information there. This is time-consuming but free.
Find curators on Instagram
Many curators are active on Instagram and openly accept submissions via DM.
Search hashtags like #spotifyplaylist,
#[yourgenre]playlist,
or #playlistcurator. Check their bio for submission info.
Use SubmitHub
A paid submission platform where curators have agreed to listen and respond. Credits cost money but you get guaranteed feedback. Good for learning what resonates, though the playlists tend to be smaller than what you'll find in independent curator databases.
4. How to evaluate a playlist before pitching
Not every playlist is worth your time. Before pitching, check these things:
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Is it active? Check when tracks were added. A playlist that hasn't been updated in 6+ months probably has a curator who's moved on.
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Does your music actually fit? Listen to 3–5 tracks. If your sound is noticeably different from what's already on the playlist, don't pitch it.
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Are the followers real? A playlist with 10,000 followers but tracks averaging 200 streams has either bought followers or an unengaged audience. Look for playlists where stream counts reflect the follower base.
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Does the curator have contact info? If there's no email, Instagram, or website linked, there's no way to reach them. Move on.
5. How to write a pitch that gets results
Most artists send terrible pitches — generic, copy-pasted, all about themselves. Here's how to stand out:
Keep it short
Your entire pitch should fit in 5–8 sentences. If they need to scroll to find your link, you've already lost them.
Mention a specific playlist
"I think [Track Name] would fit well in your [Playlist Name] playlist" is infinitely better than "I'd love to be featured on your playlists." It shows you've done your homework.
Lead with the music
Put your Spotify link in the first or second sentence. Don't make them read three paragraphs before they can listen.
Give context, not a biography
One sentence about your sound and one sentence about your background is enough. Curators don't need your life story — they need to know whether the track fits their playlist.
Example pitch (email)
Subject: Submission – [Track Name] ([Genre])
Hi [Name],
I came across your [Playlist Name] playlist and think my latest track would be a good fit: [Spotify link]
"[Track Name]" is a [genre] track with [brief description — e.g. "jazzy chords and a laid-back groove"]. I'm an independent artist based in [City] and this is my [e.g. third] release.
Thanks for your time — keep up the great curation.
[Your name]
Example pitch (Instagram DM)
Hey [Name], love your [Playlist Name] playlist. I have a new [genre] track that I think fits — [Spotify link]. Would love your thoughts. 🙏
6. Pre-submission checklist
Before you send a single pitch, make sure these are in order:
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Your track is live on Spotify. Most curators can only add tracks that are already published.
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Your Spotify profile is complete. Artist photo, bio, and links all filled in. An empty profile hurts your credibility.
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Your track is properly mastered. Curators listen critically. A quiet or poorly mixed track won't get added regardless of the song quality.
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You've pitched Spotify for Artists. If the track is unreleased, submit it through Spotify's own pitch tool first.
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You have a shortlist of targeted playlists. Aim for 15–30 playlists per release that genuinely fit your sound.
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Your pitch is personalized per curator. At minimum, change the playlist name and curator name for each message.
7. Following up and tracking results
Most curators won't respond — that's normal. A 10–15% response rate is considered good. Here's how to manage the process:
Follow up once
If you haven't heard back after 10–14 days, one short follow-up is acceptable. Something like "just checking in on my earlier submission" is enough. Never follow up more than once.
Track everything in a spreadsheet
Keep a simple log: curator name, playlist, follower count, date pitched, response, outcome. Over time you'll learn which genres and playlist sizes respond best to your music.
Check Spotify for Artists
If a curator adds your track, it'll show up in your stream stats. Check the "Listeners" tab regularly after you pitch — you'll often find placements you didn't know about.
Re-pitch on your next release
Curators who added your track before are your warmest contacts. When your next single drops, message them first with a personal note referencing the previous placement.
Ready to start pitching?
Find playlist curators in your genre with verified contact info — email addresses and Instagram handles included.
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8. Frequently asked questions
How many playlists should I pitch per release?
Aim for 15–30 well-targeted playlists per release. Quality over quantity — a personalised pitch to 20 relevant playlists will outperform a generic blast to 200.
Should I pitch before or after my release date?
Both. Submit through Spotify for Artists 7+ days before release. Start pitching independent curators 1–2 weeks before release so your track is live by the time they listen.
Is it worth paying for playlist placements?
No. Paying for placements on playlists with fake or inactive listeners violates Spotify's terms of service and won't help your algorithm. Stick to organic outreach or legitimate platforms like SubmitHub.
What should I do if a curator says no?
Thank them briefly and move on. Never argue or ask for an explanation. A polite response keeps the door open for future releases.
How long does it take to hear back from curators?
Anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks. Many curators won't respond at all but may still add your track. Check your Spotify for Artists stats regularly.
Can I submit the same track to multiple curators at once?
Yes — there's no exclusivity in independent playlist pitching. Pitch as many relevant curators as you want simultaneously.