Playlist pitching is the process of submitting unreleased music to streaming platform editorial teams for consideration on curated playlists. When successful, it results in your track being added to playlists like New Music Friday, RapCaviar, or genre-specific editorial collections.
How It Works
The basic process:
- Upload your track to your distributor for delivery to streaming platforms
- Access the pitching tool (Spotify for Artists, Amazon Music for Artists, etc.)
- Select a focus track from your upcoming release
- Complete the pitch form with genre tags, mood descriptors, and a description
- Submit before release (timing requirements vary by platform)
- Wait for outcome (no feedback is provided on decisions)
Editorial teams review submissions and decide whether to add tracks to their playlists. Most submissions are not selected.
Which Platforms Offer Pitching
| Platform | Pitching Access | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Direct (free) | Spotify for Artists |
| Amazon Music | Direct (free) | Amazon Music for Artists app |
| Apple Music | Via distributor | Distributor submits on your behalf |
| Deezer | Via distributor/label | Provider accounts only |
Spotify and Amazon offer direct artist access. Apple and Deezer route through intermediaries.
Why Playlist Pitching Matters
Discovery
Playlists drive a significant portion of streaming discovery. Editorial placement exposes your music to listeners who don't already follow you.
What Pitching Is Not
It's Not Guaranteed Placement
Submitting a pitch doesn't mean you'll be added. Acceptance rates for independent artists are low (estimated below 5% for flagship playlists).
It's Not Pay-to-Play
Official platform pitching is free. Services that charge for "guaranteed" editorial placement are scams or terms-of-service violations.
It's Not the Only Path
Many successful tracks never receive editorial pitching. Algorithmic recommendations, organic growth, and paid promotion can build audiences without editorial support.
Key Terms
Editorial playlist: A playlist curated by humans employed by the streaming platform. Examples: New Music Friday, RapCaviar, Lorem.
Algorithmic playlist: A playlist generated automatically for each listener based on their listening behavior. Examples: Discover Weekly, Release Radar, Daily Mixes.
User-generated playlist: A playlist created by a listener. Can range from personal collections to influential curated playlists.
Focus track: The one track you select to represent your release in the pitch. For singles, it's the single. For albums/EPs, you choose.
Release Radar: Spotify's personalized new release playlist for each listener, featuring new music from artists they follow.
The Pitching Ecosystem
Playlist pitching is one part of a broader release strategy:
Release Planning
↓
Distribution Upload
↓
Playlist Pitching ← (You are here)
↓
Release
↓
Promotion (Ads, PR, Social)
↓
Algorithmic Growth
↓
Audience Development
Pitching happens before release. Its effects compound with other promotional activities during and after release.
Getting Started
To pitch on Spotify (the most accessible platform):
- Claim your artist profile at artists.spotify.com
- Upload a release through your distributor
- Wait for the track to appear in "Upcoming"
- Submit your pitch 4-6 weeks before release (7 days minimum)
For detailed guidance on writing effective pitches, see .