In partnership with
Hey Artist,
You’ve probably heard it before:
“Make sure you pitch your song to Spotify editorial playlists.”
But what does that really mean?
How do you actually do it - correctly and effectively?
Today’s newsletter walks you through the entire process of submitting your track to Spotify for Artists' editorial team, what matters most, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Let’s turn your next release into an opportunity for discovery.
🧠 What Is Spotify Editorial?
Spotify’s editorial playlists are curated by real humans, Spotify’s in-house music experts.
These include high-profile playlists like:
Fresh Finds
RapCaviar
New Music Friday
Lorem
mint
Fresh Gospel
…and hundreds more across genres and moods.
These placements can expose your music to hundreds of thousands (even millions) of listeners - and set off the algorithm too.
But to even be considered, you need to submit your track properly and on time.
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✅ The Editorial Submission Timeline
Spotify requires you to submit your song at least 7 days before release day - but 14–21 days is even better.
Why?
Because:
Editors review submissions well in advance
The algorithm starts analyzing your metadata as soon as the track is ingested
Early submissions help secure Release Radar placement too
⚠️ If your song is released before it’s submitted, you miss the editorial window.
So always upload your track to your distributor at least 3–4 weeks ahead.
📝 How to Submit to Spotify Editorial
Once your track is uploaded and scheduled, here’s what to do:
1. Log in to Spotify for Artists
Go to: Spotify for Artist dashboard
You’ll see your upcoming release under the “Music” tab
Click on the “Submit a song” button
2. Fill Out the Editorial Pitch Form
This is the most important step. Here's how to get it right:
✅ Choose the correct genre and subgenre
This helps editors and algorithms place your song correctly
Don’t overthink it - be accurate, not trendy
✅ Select the mood(s) and instruments
Pick moods that match the emotional tone (e.g. “romantic,” “confident,” “melancholy”)
List main instruments used (e.g. guitar, synth, vocals, bass)
✅ Language, culture, and location
Choose the primary language
Select where you’re based (editors often look for local/regional fits)
✅ Add a strong pitch (the description box)
This is where most artists mess up.
Bad pitch:
“This is my new single, I hope you like it.”
Good pitch:
“This track blends afrobeat percussion with lo-fi synths and introspective lyrics. It’s about rebuilding confidence after a toxic relationship. Inspired by artists like Tems and Brent Faiyaz, it’s a moody yet empowering vibe perfect for chill and R&B playlists.”
Tips for your pitch:
Be specific
Mention musical influences
Share what makes the song unique
Keep it professional (don’t beg)
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💡 What to Do After You Submit
Promote your pre-save campaign
Even though you’ve submitted to Spotify, they also watch your early fan activity.
Focus on:
High pre-save numbers
Building buzz on social
Driving engagement on release day
Don’t spam Spotify staff
There’s no way to guarantee placement - and emailing editors directly won’t help.
Instead, focus on:
Consistent quality releases
Clean, accurate metadata
Fan engagement (saves, replays, low skips)
Spotify uses both editorial review and data signals - you control half of that equation.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
Submitting less than 7 days early | Always pitch at least 1 week before release |
Incomplete or vague metadata | Fill out every field honestly and in detail |
Writing a weak or generic pitch | Be clear, emotional, and descriptive in your pitch |
Choosing trendy genres you don’t fit | Stay true to your actual sound |
Relying only on editorial playlists | Promote yourself too - use socials, DMs, and email |
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✅ Final Checklist for Spotify Editorial Submission
Uploaded song to distributor 3+ weeks ahead
Logged into Spotify for Artists
Submitted the pitch form at least 7 days before release
Accurately filled in genre, mood, instruments
Wrote a compelling, clear pitch
Promoted track via pre-save and socials
Planned your release day strategy
🎯 Final Words
Getting on a Spotify editorial playlist isn’t luck - it’s a mix of timing, precision, and presentation.
You can’t control what editors pick.
But you can control how you show up.
Make every submission count.
Bring your best story.
Give Spotify a reason to believe in your song.
Keep building,
Rakib
MovGrowth