So, you’ve got a new song and would love to see it land on a Spotify editorial playlist. Yep, most dream of that, and it’s… hard. Really hard. But not impossible – it actually does happen a lot, although of course, to bigger artists much more than smaller ones.
First things first… to have at least a chance of that happening, you gotta pitch every release in Spotify for Artists. EVERY. RELEASE. Always. Really!
Why? For starters, it’s the only way onto those coveted editorials – and even if you don’t snag an editor-curated spot, pitching at least 7 days before release guarantees your track will hit all your followers’ Release Radar playlists (which might not happen otherwise). In other words, a simple pitch makes sure every upcoming song gets a baseline of exposure… and a chance.
We mean, why not do it? It’s free, it’s built into your Spotify for Artists (S4A) dashboard, and it can open doors, so, even if lazy to do it… Just do it, as Nike would say.
Before pitching, there are factors you can control – first and foremost, the overall song quality (make it great, polished, professionally sounding if you want to have a go!), the promotion efforts (you can, btw, mention in the pitch), the artwork and canvas (which should look cool and unique, standing out, if possible), and the distributor (some can help you with editorial pitching etc.). But also, factors you can’t control – how many other releases are going out that week (if you know Ed Sheeran’s releasing that week, maybe pick another week just to not be in such a big shadow), an editor’s personal taste, and yeah, a bit of luck.
And then, the pitch itself. During pitching, you may be wondering, What should I write? What exactly makes a perfect Spotify editorial pitch? After all, thousands of artists pitch songs daily, and only a very small % of those tracks end up on an editorial playlist(s), however big or small.
Just like when you pitch curators on SubmitHub, a well-crafted Spotify pitch can actually make a bit of a difference. Editors are human beings; the info you provide helps them understand where your song fits and why it’s worth being placed somewhere, and also, can help you stand out if written clearly, punchily, and… well, well.
Think of your pitch as something that should guide them to the context of your tune that makes it playlist-worthy.
So, we’ve already established you SHOULD NOT skip the pitch! Every release, no matter how big or small, deserves an editorial pitch – to have a shot at an editorial placement, and to land in Release Radar for all your followers (and more), as it’s free exposure you simply do not want to miss out on. (Really, if you fail to pitch, your followers might not even know you released new music!)
Just a couple of years ago, roughly one in five pitched songs got placed on at least one Spotify playlist. It’s definitely fewer these days, as there are up to 120k (or more) songs released daily, and the surge of AI music can push that number even higher… so yes, the odds might seem stiff. But compare that to a zero chance if you don’t pitch at all. 🙂
In short, always pitch – you lose nothing, and you gain Release Radar plus a real shot at editorial glory.
Timing your pitch right is super important. Spotify requires that the song be unreleased and submitted at least 7 days before the release date. So, at minimum, pitch a week in advance – this lead time is what will make sure you get that Release Radar bump and give editors a chance to get to your track.
BUT! The reality is that more time = better: many gurus out there suggest pitching AT LEAST 3-4 weeks before release if you can. Why so early? Spotify’s editorial team starts planning playlists well ahead of Friday’s releases, and an early pitch means your song is in their queue when they’re making decisions. If too many songs are released at the same time as yours, the later you pitch, the lower you’re in that queue, and they might not even get to it.
Having your song ready early (and pitching early) also gives you time to build pre-release buzz – pre-saves, social media teasers, and general awareness. All of that can reflect positively on your song’s momentum when release day arrives. Practically, this means planning your distribution schedule with pitching in mind. Upload your track to your distributor early enough, so it shows up in your Spotify for Artists Upcoming at least a month in advance. More time is even better in this case.
If an editor sees that you already have a whole queue of upcoming releases, they may perceive you as more prepared, more professional, and on a more consistent artistic journey.
As soon as it’s there, in the Upcoming part of your S4A, you can fill out the pitch form. You cannot pitch after a song is released, and can only pitch 1 song at one time, so don’t miss the window! YUP, set a reminder if you have to.
The bottom line: give Spotify’s curators plenty of notice. An early pitch shows you’re organized and serious, and it maximizes your chances of being heard in time.
Pro tip: The Spotify editors often work on a global schedule with Friday as the key day. If your release is not a Friday, still pitch at least a week before that date. And if it is on a Friday, definitely have your pitch in by the previous Friday at the latest. Essentially, “the sooner, the better” is the rule for pitching.
When you go to submit your pitch in Spotify for Artists, you’ll be filling out a short form: selecting genres, moods, etc., and writing a brief description (you get 500 characters of text, which is about 80-100 words).
Here are five key tips to make your pitch stand out:
#1 Pick the right genres and moods.
During the submission, Spotify will have you tag the song’s genre, subgenre, and up to a few moods or styles. Be accurate and VERY selective here. Don’t just check every box that kinda fits – and avoid bizarre genre combos that only confuse (e.g., calling one song “hip-hop, indie singer-songwriter, experimental electronic” all at once is probably not helpful for the editor, who will, with most probability, have no clue where to place this). Instead, choose the genre or genres that best represent your track, and one or two moods that really nail the vibe.
Pro tip: If you’re on the fence, lean toward fewer, more precise tags rather than a scattershot approach.
Keep in mind that these tags help route your song to the right editorial team – so specificity counts more than you’d think. Even Spotify’s guidelines note that a specific pitch is more effective than a broad one.
#2 Mention a few specific Spotify playlists in your pitch.
This is a pro move that can really set your pitch apart: name-drop the Spotify editorial playlists that make the most sense for your song. Before you pitch, do a little homework – look at the official playlists in your genre (not just the huge ones, but rather, more niche, local, sub-genre-themed) and find a couple that fit the sound of your track. Mentioning actually fitting lists and being humble about their size (if you’re not a global star) shows the editors you know your niche and helps them understand where your music belongs, what vibe your song is going for.
Pro tip: Focus on smaller or mid-sized editorial playlists that truly match your sound, not the biggest ones. Writing “this would be a great fit for Rap Caviar” (Spotify’s biggest rap playlist) isn’t very convincing and might come off as naive. Instead, naming a more niche playlist (country/genre-specific), e.g., Mzansi Raps (a smaller South African rap editorial) might actually be… real (if you’re making that kind of music).
! One thing to avoid is coming off as presumptuous or begging. Don’t write “Please put me on X playlist, I know it belongs there!” 😅. Instead, suggest it in a professional way: you’re showing that if the song were on that playlist, it would totally make sense.
#3 Describe your song’s story, sound, and vibe in 1-2 snappy lines.
The heart of your pitch is a short paragraph that tells the editor what they’re about to hear and – this is important – why it’s special. You want to hook, surprise them, not say something vague that could be applied to every other song in that genre. Don’t forget, editors sift through thousands of submissions, and if the opening of your pitch is bland or generic, they literally will scroll past.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a Shakespeare-level writer; you just need to convey the essence of your song in a clear, non-generic way. A great approach is to start with an emotional or visual image that captures the mood or theme of the track. Just compare something like “A summer romance that ended badly, but still was… worth it.” with “This is an upbeat track with catchy melodies,” (which could describe a million songs and doesn’t make an editor feel anything).
Aim to convey what the song feels like, not the description of what it is. Is it a heartbreak anthem? A party jam? A reflective bedroom pop tune for rainy days? Set the scene. Paint the picture. After that (= the hook), you can add 1 more sentence with a bit of story or context. This could be the inspiration or message behind the song (“written in celebration of the 1-year anniversary with the love of my life I’ve met weeks later” or “born out of nights jamming in our garage during lockdown”) – something personal, unique that gives the track meaning.
Editors are human – so a genuine, HUMAN little backstory can make your pitch memorable.
The backstory can be completed, or replaced, by an interesting creative detail (like “recorded on a 1970s tape machine” or “features traditional Nordic percussion to honor my heritage”), you can mention that too, but briefly.
The key is to define your song in a way that no one else could copy-paste for their song. Avoid clichés and general descriptors. Focus on what makes your track stand out ONLY. By the end of this 1-2 line description, the editor should have a vivid sense of your song’s vibe and a hint of the story behind it.
#4 Explain where it fits and why (the “for fans of” and scene context).
After describing the song, it’s smart to spend a line on where it belongs in the musical landscape. One way is to drop a “For fans of...” mention: name 1-3 well-known similar artists that are in the same ballpark, sound-wise. This gives a frame of reference (e.g., “for fans of Taylor Swift and Kacey Musgraves” instantly tells “pop-country vibe”). Just be honest – only compare to artists that truly match your style, because exaggeration can backfire and hurt your (and the pitch’s) credibility.
Another way to frame this is referencing your genre community or micro-genre. Use the keywords that insiders use. For instance, maybe your track is hyperpop – mentioning related niches like “PC Music” or “bubblegum bass” shows you speak the genre’s language.
This is also a great way to subtly reinforce the playlist mentioning from tip #2 = naming playlists and describing why your song belongs there. It connects the dots for the editor.
#5 Share your promo plans to show you’re serious.
Wrap up your pitch with a brief note about how you’ll promote the release. This part only needs one sentence, if that – but it can make a difference. Why? Spotify’s editors like to see that an artist is actively working to get their music heard, not just relying 100% on an editorial playlist to make them “famous”.
If there’s a marketing or promo plan behind the song, mention it concisely. For example: “OMV (= official music video) dropping on release day, press push + TikTok campaign & Meta ads budget,” or “We’re supporting the release with a 15-date tour and lots of behind-the-scenes content on Instagram.” Anything along promo lines signals that you have momentum. So, if you have a cool music video, an upcoming tour, press coverage, playlisting campaign (hello, SubmitHub ;) ) or ads running, tell the editors – it shows them this release has some push behind it and that you’re growing and bringing listeners to the platform. It’s a bit like saying, “I’m doing my part, so a playlist look would be a win-win.”
Pro tip: keep it humble and factual. No need to oversell or make promises you can’t keep. A simple statement of your plans is enough.
That’s it! These points are the big five ingredients of a strong Spotify pitch:
Mix those together in about 3-5 sentences (500 characters max!), and you’ll have a pitch that gives your song the best possible shot.
It might help to see what all that looks like in practice. Here’s a quick template you can use as a starting point – but please personalize it! The best pitches feel natural and unique to the artist. Consider this Spotify editorial pitch template a fill-in-the-blanks guide, then tweak it to sound like you.
More detailed:
Hook/Emotion: [Your opening line that captures the song’s vibe]. (Think of a mood or a striking image).
Examples:
“If heartbreak had dancing shoes, this is what the soundtrack would sound like,” “Imagine Bon Iver producing a track on a beach at sunset…”
→ Story/Personal angle: [One sentence on the song’s meaning or backstory]. (Why you wrote it or what it’s about or an interesting fact.)
Examples:
“Wrote this after moving to a new city, full of excitement and loneliness,”
“Inspired by my Filipino heritage, I fused traditional harp into a pop ballad.”
→ For fans of / sound-alike: [Name 2-3 artists or influences or micro-niches].
Examples:
“For fans of Lorde, Clairo, and intimate electro-pop.”
“This is exactly like Taylor Swift would sound if she were into girls, not boys.”
→ Playlist fit: [Mention 1-2 Spotify editorial playlists, small to medium-sized, that suit the song, and why].
Examples:
“Would fit perfectly on scorned on neon cowgirl.”
“Inspired by Slayyyter and Robyn, this feels like a great fit for night pop.”
→ Promo plan: [Highlight your planned promotion and/or upcoming events].
Examples:
“Got a live performance video coming out and a hometown release show booked.”
“We have a huge ad budget ready, and plan a full press push for this one.”
“We’re running TikTok ads and already seeing fans make dance videos to our previous releases."
Feel free to combine points that make sense together, and also to rearrange the order (sometimes the “for fans of” can be combined with the hook: “An indie folk confession of my relationship’s sins for fans of Phoebe Bridgers...”). Changing, adding your own flair, your branding/way of speaking, or something unexpected (know someone who tried a poem instead of a pitch, and got on 8 smaller editorials with the song) is not only allowed – actually can be the difference-maker! The main thing is that, ideally, all the pitch template's elements should appear in some form.
💡 Just keep it concise – notice how each part is just one sentence; otherwise, your text won’t fit the 500 characters allowed. You simply can’t include every single detail about your song or career, so choose the most impactful ones. One strong hook, one unique story point, a couple of relevant names – that’s plenty. But make it sound like you. It’s okay to be conversational. If you follow the template but fill in your own specifics, your own words (no “delving into” and “blending ethereal soundscapes” from the ChatGPT language), you’ll naturally end up with a pitch that doesn’t feel copy-pasted.
Pro tip: one trick is to write a couple of different versions and ask a friend (or bandmate) which one sounds cooler. You’d be surprised how a tiny phrasing change can make a pitch more standout.
Putting together a great Spotify editorial pitch (or any other, including a SubmitHub quick pitch, for that matter) is part art, part strategy.
So, let’s recap: always pitch every upcoming release (yes, every single one!) through Spotify for Artists, and do it as early as possible. Use the pitch to show what makes you and your music special – spark an emotion, pinpoint the genre, and highlight your plans to get it heard, don’t just describe blandly... put YOU and your artistic personality in the pitch.
A great pitch won’t guarantee you a slot, but it will ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. Even if your song doesn’t get picked, take heart: you’re in the game, you’re making the editors at least notice you’re putting music out, you'll get it on Release Radar, and you can try again with your next release (and the one after it, and the next one, and so on). Spotify actually encourages artists to keep submitting new music with no penalty for past non-placements, and it can take many releases to break through… so think of each pitch as building name recognition with the Spotify curators.
Good luck 🤞