How to Submit Your Music for Spotify Editorial Playlists Using Spotify for Artists
What is a Spotify Editorial Playlist?
Spotify Editorial Playlists are official, highly coveted playlists curated by Spotify’s global editorial team. They are carefully organized by genre, mood, culture, and release cycle.
Some of the most popular examples include:
- New Music Friday
- Fresh Finds
- Lorem
- All New Pop
- New Music Friday Bangladesh (regional)
- RADAR
Securing a spot on these playlists can dramatically boost your streams, gain you lifelong followers, and elevate your overall profile on the platform.
Who is Eligible to Submit?
To pitch your music to Spotify’s editors, you must meet the following criteria:
- Claimed Artist Profile: You must have active access to your Spotify for Artists account.
- Unreleased Music: The track must be unreleased and already delivered to Spotify by your music distributor.
- Primary Artist: You must be listed as a primary artist on the track.
💡 Pro Tip: Deliver your music to your distributor at least 7 to 14 days before your release date. This ensures Spotify's editorial team has enough time to review your pitch.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pitching Your Song
Once your distributor has delivered your upcoming release to Spotify, follow these steps to pitch:
Step 1: Log In to Spotify for Artists
Go to your Spotify for Artists dashboard on a desktop computer (pitching is easiest on desktop). If you haven't claimed your profile yet, make sure to complete the verification process first.
Step 2: Navigate to Upcoming Releases
From the top menu of your dashboard, go to:
Music ➔ Upcoming
Here, you will see a list of your scheduled, unreleased tracks.
Step 3: Select "Pitch a Song"
Choose the specific song you want to pitch and click "Pitch a Song" next to it. (Note: You can only pitch one song at a time per release cycle).
Step 4: Fill Out the Metadata & Details
Spotify relies on accurate metadata to route your song to the correct editors. Fill out this form with absolute accuracy:
- Genre: Select the primary and sub-genres that best fit your track (e.g., Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Electronic, Folk, Bengali Pop).
- Mood: Choose up to two moods that describe your song (e.g., Happy, Romantic, Chill, Energetic, Sad, Emotional).
- Instruments: Tag the dominant instruments featured in the track (e.g., Guitar, Piano, Synth, Violin, Tabla).
- Language: Select the language of the lyrics (e.g., English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu).
- Culture/Region: If your music represents a specific cultural movement or regional style, select it here to help target local audiences.
Step 5: Write a Compelling Pitch (Tell Your Story)
The "Description" section is your chance to stand out. Editors read these! Avoid generic statements and instead focus on:
- The inspiration and story behind the song.
- Your target audience.
- Your concrete marketing, PR, and promotional plans.
- Upcoming music videos, social media campaigns (TikTok/Instagram), and live shows.
Example of a Strong Pitch:
"This song is a modern Bengali romantic single inspired by timeless melodies and contemporary production. The release is supported by a targeted digital marketing campaign across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. An official music video will premiere on release day, accompanied by influencer collaborations and local press coverage."
Step 6: Review and Submit
Double-check all your information and click Submit. Your song is now in the running for editorial placement!
5 Pro Tips to Increase Your Placement Success
While submission does not guarantee a spot, following these best practices will significantly improve your chances:
1. Pitch Early (The Golden Rule)
Submit your pitch at least 2 weeks prior to the release date. This gives editors the breathing room to listen to your track and place it in appropriate scheduled playlists.
2. Use High-Quality Cover Art
Your artwork is the first visual representation of your brand. Ensure it is:
- Exactly 3000 × 3000 pixels (JPEG or PNG format).
- High resolution and professionally designed.
- Free of intrusive promotional text, logos, or watermarks.
3. Ensure Flawless Metadata
Ensure your distributor has the exact correct spelling of your artist name, featured artists, composers, and ISRC codes. Clean metadata ensures Spotify's algorithm routes your music correctly.
4. Build Off-Platform Momentum
Spotify's editors look at the big picture. Support your release with active marketing:
- Run pre-save campaigns.
- Post teaser clips on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
- Pitch to independent blogs and playlist curators.
5. Never Buy Streams
Avoid "guaranteed playlisting" services or bots. Using artificial streaming services violates Spotify’s terms of service and can result in your music being permanently removed from the platform.
How The SM Records Ltd Can Help
At The SM Records Ltd, we empower independent artists to take control of their music careers. We don't just deliver your music to digital stores; we help you set it up for ultimate success.
Our services include:
- Global Music Distribution (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon, and 150+ more).
- Editorial Pitching Support & Metadata Optimization.
- Copyright Protection & Global Royalty Collection.
- YouTube Content ID & Rights Management.
Let us handle the technicalities so you can focus on making great music.
Final Thoughts
Pitching to Spotify Editorial Playlists is a habit every serious artist should build. Be consistent, release high-quality music, tell an authentic story, and keep building your fanbase.