In most cases, yes. Even when you don't expect editorial selection, pitching guarantees your track appears in your followers' Release Radar. That alone justifies the 10 minutes of effort.
But there are situations where pitching may not be the best use of your time or where your track isn't ready for editorial consideration.
Why You Should Usually Pitch
The Release Radar Guarantee
Pitching at least 7 days before release ensures your chosen track appears in your followers' Release Radar. This happens regardless of whether editors select your track for editorial playlists.
Release Radar exposure reaches up to 3-5% of your followers weekly, generates algorithmic data that can trigger broader recommendations, and costs nothing beyond the time to submit.
Skipping the pitch means losing control over which track followers see and potentially missing Release Radar entirely.
Low Effort, Non-Zero Chance
A pitch takes 10-15 minutes to prepare. Editorial selection odds may be low (below 5% for most independents), but they're not zero.
The expected value math: 10 minutes of effort for a small chance at significant exposure. Unless you're releasing dozens of tracks monthly, the time investment is worth it.
Building Editorial History
Consistent pitching builds a history in Spotify's systems. While there's no public evidence that past pitches affect future consideration, maintaining an active profile as a releasing artist signals engagement with the platform.
When to Consider Skipping
Truly Niche or Experimental Content
If your release is deliberately non-commercial (ambient soundscapes, noise experiments, spoken word), editorial playlists may not be relevant. Your audience finds this content through other channels.
Consider skipping if:
- The track has no realistic playlist fit
- Your existing audience already expects and seeks this content
- The time would be better spent on targeted outreach to niche communities
Rush Releases With Less Than 7 Days
If you can't meet the 7-day minimum, you can't pitch Spotify anyway. For rush releases:
- Pitch Amazon Music (allows post-release up to 14 days)
- Focus promotion on other channels
- Accept that this release skips editorial
Catalog Optimization Releases
If you're re-releasing old material, compilations, or catalog cleanup:
- These often don't fit editorial "new release" positioning
- Time may be better spent on marketing the flagship releases
- Some distributors don't even enable pitching for re-releases
Strategic Pitch Selection
When releasing multiple tracks (EP, album), you can only pitch one. Be strategic:
Pick the Most Playlist-Ready Track
Not your favorite, not the most "artistic," but the one most likely to succeed in a playlist context:
- Strong hook within 30 seconds
- Accessible sound
- Clear genre fit
- Appropriate length (3-4 minutes typically optimal)
Consider Long-Term Strategy
If you're building to an album, you might:
- Pitch each pre-release single individually
- Hold back your strongest playlist candidate for album release
- Use pitching data to inform which sounds resonate
Avoid Wasting Your One Shot
On albums, your un-pitched tracks get no editorial consideration. Don't pitch a track just because it's your favorite if a different track has better playlist potential.
The "Every Release" Framework
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 7+ days before release, realistic playlist fit | Pitch - Release Radar alone is worth the effort |
| Can write a credible pitch description | Pitch - Low effort, non-zero chance |
| Rush release with less than 7 days | Skip Spotify - Pitch Amazon post-release instead |
| Deliberately anti-commercial content | Consider skipping - Audience finds it through other channels |
| Catalog/compilation releases | Consider skipping - These rarely fit editorial positioning |
| Releasing faster than you can pitch thoughtfully | Be selective - Focus on your strongest releases |