Spotify for Artists lets you pitch one unreleased song to its editorial team for each release. The pitch is free, but the form is short, so what you put in it matters.
Step 1: Deliver early
Your distributor needs to deliver the release before you can pitch it. Spotify says pitches need to be submitted at least seven days before release day for the song to reach your followers' Release Radar, and earlier gives editors more time. Aim for several weeks.
Step 2: Choose the right song
You can only pitch one song per release. Pick the track that best represents where you are going, not necessarily the one you finished last.
Step 3: Fill in the metadata carefully
Genre, sub-genre, mood, instruments, culture and language fields help editors route your song. Be specific and honest. A wrong genre puts you in front of the wrong editor.
Step 4: Write the description
Use the description to give context editors can't hear: the story behind the song, any confirmed press, live dates, video plans or marketing you have lined up. Keep it short and factual.
Step 5: Line up everything else
An editorial placement is never guaranteed, so the pitch should sit inside a wider plan: your own socials, pre-save links, press and independent curators. Release Radar and your follower count benefit from all of it.
Step 6: Check results after release
Spotify for Artists shows playlist adds and sources of streams. Note which playlists added the song and where listeners came from.
If you'd like help building the rest of the campaign around a pitch, here is an overview of how professional Spotify promotion works without bots or paid placements.