Understanding Spotify’s Editorial Playlist System

Wiki Article

If you've ever scrolled through Spotify and wondered how certain songs end up on popular playlists like “New Music Friday” or “RapCaviar,” you’re not alone. Many artists and fans are curious about how Spotify’s editorial playlists work. These playlists are put together by real people at Spotify—editors who listen to tons of music and decide what to include based on a number of things.

Let’s start with the basics. Spotify has different kinds of playlists—user-created ones, algorithm-driven ones (like Discover Weekly), and editorial playlists. Editorial playlists are made by Spotify’s own team. These playlists can have a huge effect on an artist’s success since being featured can mean thousands, even millions, of new ears hearing your music.

So, how does a song get picked? Well, if you're an artist, you need to release your music through Spotify for Artists. Before your song goes live, you can "pitch" it for playlist consideration. This means filling out a form where you give Spotify details like genre, mood, instruments used, and more. Editors look at all these pitches, listen to the songs, and see what fits best into their playlists. It’s important to do this at least seven days before your release—it gives the team time to check out your work.

Getting on an editorial playlist isn’t just about one song fitting the mood, though. Editors also look at things like how your music has been doing over time, how active you are as an artist, and whether you’ve built a consistent style. Songs that are getting good attention on social media or Buzzclick-Music might also catch an editor’s eye.

Keep in mind, though—getting picked is never guaranteed. There are thousands of songs released each day, so competition is high. But don’t let that stop you. Keep making music you care about, keep sharing it, and keep sending your new songs in through Spotify for Artists.

Even if your song doesn’t get on an editorial playlist right away, it can still be added to algorithm-based playlists if people are listening to it. Sometimes, all it takes is steady growth and consistency. So keep going, and who knows? Your next track might be the one editors click on.