Playlist Promotion Myths: What Works, What Doesn’t, and How to Avoid Scams

If you make music today, you’ve heard the line a million times: “Dude, just get on playlists. That’s how you go viral.” And yeah, spotify playlist promotion can seriously boost your numbers and help you promote your music to totally new people. But playlisting has also become a bit of a wild west. The music industry has evolved, and playlist promotion is now a key part of the broader music industry landscape, offering new opportunities and challenges for artists.

Most of the artists on Spotify are looking for solid playlist placements. Playlist promotion can help artists reach listeners around the world, connecting their music to a global audience.

This guide is here to help you guide the right path towards succesful playlisting. We’re breaking down the biggest myths around spotify playlist promotion, how to actually grow, and how to watch out for the sketchy stuff. Because you deserve real fans, not bots inflating your ego for a minute. Remember, all successful promotion starts with creating great music.

With the right approach to playlist promotion, independent artists can break through industry barriers and find their place in the music industry.

Myth #1: “Big playlist follower count = big results”

This is that classic rookie assumption. You see a playlist with 300k followers and think your track is about to blast into thousands of headphones. But follower count doesn’t equal to real active listeners . Some playlistslists show big follower counts yet get almost no listens since those accounts are outdated, unused, not promoted or bot based fake playlists. A smaller playlist with real fans listening to your specific music genre might do way better than a playlist packed with lifeless profiles.

You can review the "discovered on" section for each artist on a playlist you would like to evaluate.You can read more on how to find the best playlists, and figure out of they are legit or not.

Myth #2: “Any playlist is good playlisting”

You do not want your punk song thrown into a chill lo-fi playlist. That’s not exposure, that’s damage. When the wrong audience hears your song, they skip it instantly. A high skip rate tells Spotify the music isn’t connecting, which screws with your algorithm data and makes it harder for Spotify to recommend your music organically. Reaching the right fans is crucial for effective playlist promotion, as it ensures your music connects with listeners who are genuinely interested in your kind of music. Good and accurate spotify playlist promotion is targeted.

The right listeners = better numbers, better momentum, better career.

A smaller playlist with active listeners within your music genre can outperform a massive playlist full of with wide range of genres, so targeting the right genres is key to effective playlist promotion.If a playlist doesn’t match your vibe, it’s not a win. It’s sabotage.

Myth #3: “Buying streams is just smart hustle”

Nope. Hard no. Buying streams might look good for a week but it will trash your long-term growth. Spotify can detect fake listeners easily. When they suspect bots, they will remove streams, take songs off playlists, reduce your reach, or even delete the track or your artist's profile entirely. Labels and managers can also see the truth just by checking your audience data. If all your streams are coming from random tiny countries directly through playing from your profile… they know what’s up.

Fake streams don’t lead to real fans, they don’t save songs, they don’t show up to shows. They don’t give you any future. Don’t risk your reputation for a vanity number, It just doesn’t make sense to invest in fake streams when your goal is long-term growth.

Myth #4: “One big playlist = overnight success”

Every now and then someone goes viral and the whole industry points at them like it’s some magic formula. But for most artists, playlisting is a discovery tool, not a finish line. Even if you go crazy on streams, that doesn’t mean your fanbase will magically grow at the same pace. A playlist can get people listening. But everything after that, turning listeners into superfans, happens through your music, your content, your visuals, your story, your message, and your consistency.

Spotify playlist submission should be just one part of all your cylinders: Meta ads, TikTok clips, music video hype, Social videos and mentions, live performances, and fan interaction to support each release. A well-planned campaign that combines playlist submissions, social media promotion, and press coverage can maximize your exposure and help you reach new audiences.

Playlists help people find you. You still have to give them a reason to stay. Showcasing your unique brand and artistry through your music, visuals, and performances is essential to convert listeners into loyal fans.

Myth #5: “All curators are shady so avoid them”

Nah. The shady ones just make more noise. There are tons of legitimate indie curators busting their ass to promote their playlists. Curators play an important role in helping indie artists gain exposure and reach new fans by selecting and promoting songs on influential playlists. You just need to separate the real ones from the scammers.

Real playlists show genuine engagement. Real curators have the right audiences, who behave like humans, with saves, repeat listens, and steady growth. Authentic playlist owners are usually harder to contact, because their playlists weren’t created to sell placements.

On the other hand, botted playlists often display an email address right in the description and ask artists to pay for placements.

Myth #6: “You need a label to get into big playlists”

We’re not in the 90's anymore. Independent artists land huge placements all the time. You can submit music to record labels later if that’s your goal, but labels aren’t gatekeepers anymore.

You can pitch to user generated playlists but also you've got a chance to pitch to editorial playlists  through Spotify for Artists, ideally 2–3 weeks before the release, and keep releasing regularly. Timely and strategic submissions are crucial to maximize your chances of playlist placement and visibility. The more active you are, the better your chances.

So how do you pitch your song to the right playlists?

There are two ways to do it, you can either invest money and make it effortless, or invest effort when there’s no money

No budget - Maximum effort

The smartest playlist strategy is built on analyzing the right curators and pitching to them effectively. Search for playlist creators within your genre and create your own spreadsheet database. Most of them are on social media platforms. Contact them politely and suggest your track. Share a music link only, don’t attach an MP3.

Try to build relationships with curators who actually care about the culture. When your track gets added somewhere, promote that playlist on your social channels so other playlists will want to support you too. The more community energy you generate, the more Spotify’s algorithm will notice that there’s momentum around your track.

Because these curators are receiving a lot of requests every day, the downside to this method is that the response rate will likely be low, and you'll probably end up with only a few placements.

With music Promotion budget - Minimum effort

Not everyone has the time or energy to personally reach out to hundreds of curators. That’s where a reliable online music promotion service can help out a lot, as long as they do things the right way.

A good Spotify music promotion service, cares about longevity. The right service will help get your music in front of a wider audience through targeted playlist promotion and distribution. They want your track to affect your future, not just this week’s numbers. One Submit is one Spotify playlist promotion platform that helps you submit your music to vetted Spotify curators, music blogs, YouTube channels, playlists, even labels — all on one dashboard.

Keep in mind, solid tracks are key. Over time, these strategies help artists build a sustainable music career, supporting long-term growth and recognition in the industry.

Measuring Success: What Really Matters?

In music, people often focus on streams or how many followers you have. Placement on Spotify playlists can also be a valuable metric, as being featured on curated or editorial playlists can boost your exposure, but it should not be the only measure of success. Yet true achievement isn’t just stats flashing online. What matters more is making a lasting path - where your songs stand out, your style grows naturally, while listeners stick around because they feel something real.

Check stats from Spotify or TikTok to see how things are going, yet ignore quick wins when judging success. Build true fans by making songs people remember while pushing releases that feel like you.

Claiming your artist profile is crucial to measure your success and get access to promotional features and unlocks the platform’s ability to enhance your visibility, follow statistics, fans location and engagment and much more.

Long-Term Strategy: The Secret Sauce

Your playlist success should connect to a bigger rollout plan. Think of each single as part of a story you’re telling. Drop teasers. Show behind the scenes. Build hype before release day. Then, once the track drops, push your spotify promotion and keep talking to the people listening.

Real fans > random streams

Streams feel nice. We all love seeing numbers go up. But the artists who last are the ones who focus on the humans behind the numbers. Fans who save your track, follow your socials, buy your merch, and brag to their friends about discovering you — those are the people who build your career with you. They might also buy your merch, further supporting your growth and brand.

Playlists help you find those fans. But the emotional connection comes from the artist, not the playlist.

Working with Industry Professionals: When and How

Working alongside people in the scene - like playlist editors, labels, or radio hosts - might help your music go further. Yet when you reach out matters just as much as who you contact. Once you’re set to send tracks to a curator, double-check that your sound lines up with theirs. Hitting the right match boosts chances of landing on big Spotify lists, getting your tunes heard by listeners who’re already into that style.

For example, when approaching a playlist editor, research their previous selections and tailor your pitch to show how your track fits their brand. This approach can lead to better results and stronger industry connections.

If you’re planning to link up with music companies, hit pause - go through each bit of the deal. Check that it matches your vision for your craft and where you wanna head. Yeah, they could offer support and connections; even so, the key thing is landing a setup that lifts your art without changing your vibe.

Radio stations or media pushes might expand your audience - if they match your vibe. Connect with folks who get your sound and fans. Choose collaborators carefully; go in with a clear plan. That way, your promo efforts truly help your music grow.

What about other streaming services?

Other streaming platforms like Apple music or Deezer are also important for artists.

Altough playlisting is more effective on Spotify, it's important to set up your artist profile page on other streaming services, so you can manage your artist's profile and learn about your statistics.

Here are the artist's profile links for:

Apple: https://artists.apple.com

Deezer: https://artists.tidal.com

Tidal: https://artists.tidal.com/login

Media Outlets for Independent Artists: Expanding Your Reach Beyond Playlists

Releasing tracks on playlists? That’s only part of the game. Blogs, radio spots, or TikTok influencers can boost your reach while giving you real street cred. Submit your songs to music blogs or magazine publications. These efforts help get your music heard by new listeners who may become long-term fans.

A mention on a well-known music site or airplay on a trusted radio show pulls listeners toward your profiles, grows your fanbase online, while setting you apart from the noise. Yet these channels let you share your journey, your unique tone, even who you are - so fans feel closer to what you do. When you add press efforts into how you spread your music, you shape something stronger than just chart stats - it reaches actual people who care about sound.

Final Thoughts

Playlisting isn’t a cheat code. It’s a useful tool, and like any tool, you need to know how to use it without accidentally breaking everything you’re trying to build. Ignore the shortcuts, forget fake streams and forget the idea of overnight fame.

The artists who win are the ones who release consistently, tell a compelling story, and connect with real monthly listeners.

So keep grinding. Keep improving. Keep dropping music. Use playlists as part of your music promotion plan, not the entire strategy, Because the end goal isn’t just streams, The end goal is fans who love you.

As artists promote their music, it's important to collaborate with other musicians, show organizers, and industry professionals. Explore your niche and share new music regularly, whether it's pop or another genre. Your songs could even become the soundtrack to someone's life or a viral moment. Stay inspired it's the key to long-term success.

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