In partnership with
Hey Artist,
Getting your track placed on the right playlist can change the game. It increases exposure, unlocks algorithmic support, and drives real growth.
But in 2026, not every opportunity is what it seems.
From Telegram DMs to sketchy Instagram offers, fake playlist curators are everywhere and if you’re not careful, you might waste money, hurt your Spotify profile, or damage your momentum.
This letter is your guide to avoiding scams, spotting real opportunities, and building growth that actually lasts.
🚨 Why Fake Playlists Hurt More Than Help
Many fake curators offer “guaranteed placements” for a small fee. They usually say things like:
“Loved your song. Let me add it to my playlist with 80k followers for just $40.”
Sounds great, right?
But here’s what really happens:
The playlist is full of fake followers (bots).
There’s no actual engagement - no saves, no shares.
The song gets skipped often, which tells Spotify it’s not worth recommending.
Your track gets buried by the algorithm instead of pushed.
It’s not just a waste of money - it could slow down your growth.
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💡 Real Playlists vs. Fake Ones: Key Differences
Here are some practical ways to separate authentic playlists from scams:
✅ 1. Playlist Theme Makes Sense
A real playlist usually sticks to a genre, mood, or vibe. If you see lo-fi next to trap next to country, it’s probably a bot playlist.
✅ 2. Followers vs. Listeners
Check the ratio using tools like Chartmetric. A playlist with 40k followers and only 20 monthly listeners? 🚩 Red flag.
✅ 3. Curator Has a Presence
Most legit curators have a public profile - Instagram, Twitter, website, or at least a Spotify bio. If you can’t trace them, think twice.
✅ 4. Engagement is Organic
Look at other tracks on the playlist. Do they have natural-looking play counts and listener trends? Or weird, flat numbers across the board?
✅ 5. Upfront Money Without a Pitch Process
If someone asks for money before even reviewing your song, that’s not a curator - that’s a marketer selling slot space.
🧠 What Real Growth Looks Like
You don’t need 10 fake playlists.
You need:
1 strong placement in a genre-specific playlist
Organic listener engagement (saves, replays, shares)
Gradual traction that Spotify can read as authentic
A strategy that aligns with your music’s identity
This is how you build long-term success.
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🔎 Tools to Help You Spot Scams and Find Real Curators
If you want to work smarter, try these trusted tools:
PlaylistSupply: Curated database of real playlists and contacts
Is It A Good Playlist?: Analyze playlists based on save rate, skip rate, and source of streams
Chartmetric: Deep dive into curator history, listener data, and growth
SubmitHub / Groover: Connect with curators who provide feedback and trackable results
These tools help you stop guessing and start choosing with confidence.
❌ Risks of Using Scam Playlists
Beyond wasting your money, these placements can:
Tank your algorithmic trust score
Reduce your Release Radar and Discover Weekly potential
Leave you with zero fan retention
Harm your Spotify for Artists performance metrics
Get you flagged or penalized if the activity is detected as suspicious
Remember: the goal is loyal fans, not just inflated numbers.
✅ How to Respond to Curators Professionally
When someone reaches out, respond like a pro:
“Thanks for reaching out. Can you share your playlist link, listener stats, and how you select tracks?”
A real curator will answer. A fake one will disappear.
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📬 Final Word
Scam playlists are everywhere - but they’re not your path to growth.
Build your strategy around:
Real listeners
Real data
Real results
Avoid shortcuts that damage your long-term progress.
You’ve already put time into your music.
Now protect that investment with smart choices.
See you in the next issue,
Rakib
MovGrowth