Editorial Playlist Pitching
How to pitch your music to editorial playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music for maximum playlist placement.
Editorial Playlist Pitching
Editorial playlists are curated by streaming service employees and tastemakers. Playlist placement drives discovery, streams, and algorithmic visibility. Here's how to pitch effectively.
Spotify Playlist Pitching
Spotify's editorial team curates thousands of playlists across genres, moods, and demographics. The pitching window typically opens 3 weeks before your release and closes 2 weeks before.
Submit through Spotify for Artists (if you have a verified account) or through your distributor's pitching portal. Provide your track's best matching playlists and write a compelling pitch description (250 words max).
In your pitch, explain the track's vibe, production style, and why it fits each specific playlist. Reference the playlist's current artists or recent adds. Avoid generic pitchesâcurators receive hundreds weekly and respond to specificity.
Pitch to 5-10 playlists per track, not 50. Quality pitching to the right playlists outperforms blasting to everything. Research which playlists your audience actually listens to.
Apple Music Playlist Pitching
Apple Music curators focus on quality and artist credibility. Pitching happens through Apple Music for Artists or your distributor.
Apple values pre-release engagement metrics (pre-saves, social buzz) and artist press coverage. If you don't have an existing following, include links to press or media mentions to establish credibility.
Write personalized pitches for each playlist. Explain your sound in 150-200 words and why the track aligns with the playlist's current direction. Curators respond well to artists who understand their playlist's editorial voice.
Apple's pitching window is typically 2-3 weeks before release. Submit earlyâtheir curation process is thorough and deliberate.
Amazon Music Playlist Pitching
Amazon Music's playlists are curated both editorially and by community curators. Pitching happens through your distributor or directly through Amazon Music for Artists.
Amazon weights artist credibility, genre fit, and social metrics. If you're a new artist, emphasize any existing fan base, press, or industry connections.
Pitch to 5-8 playlists matching your genre and style. Describe your track in 100-150 words, focusing on its production, vocals, and sonic appeal. Include links to your Spotify profile or previous work if available.
Algorithmic Playlist Strategy
Don't overlook algorithmic playlists like ReleaseRadar, DiscoverWeekly, and similar. These algorithmically recommend tracks to users.
Algorithmic playlists prioritize pre-save velocity, initial streams, playlist adds (especially saves), and listener engagement. Focus on early momentumâthe first 48 hours after release heavily influence algorithmic pickup.
Encourage fans to pre-save (algorithmic systems track this), share the track on release day, and engage with early comments. Algorithmic systems amplify early engagement.
Pitching Best Practices
Timing: Submit 2-3 weeks before release, not at the last minute.
Specificity: Customize each pitch with playlist names, curator names, and reference tracks already on the playlist.
Honest assessment: Be realistic about playlist fit. A folk track doesn't belong on an EDM playlist, regardless of quality.
Multiple genres: If your track spans multiple genres, pitch to matching playlists in each. A bedroom pop-indie crossover can pitch to both indie and pop playlists.
Artist credibility: Include links to your Spotify profile, recent press, or social following. Curators want to know there's audience interest.
Follow-up sparingly: One follow-up email 3-4 days before the deadline is acceptable. Multiple follow-ups are annoying.
Reality Check
Not every track will land major editorial playlists. Focus on consistent releases and building your catalog. The more you release, the more pitching opportunities you get. Over time, your track record and press coverage will influence playlist decisions.
Algorithmic playlists are just as valuable as editorial playlists. Prioritize making great music that resonates with listenersâthat's what algorithms and curators ultimately respond to.