How to Find Spotify Editorial Playlists by Genre (and Target Them)
How to Find Spotify Editorial Playlists by Genre
To find Spotify editorial playlists in your genre, open your genre's page in Spotify Search and look for playlists with the official Spotify byline. Then check the "Discovered On" section of artists who sound like you. Write down the editorial playlists that keep showing up. Those are the ones your pitch should be written for.
Spotify says it has "thousands of editorial playlists", and nobody outside Spotify maintains a complete, official list. Lists you find online go stale fast. A better approach is to build a short, up-to-date target list yourself, specific to your sound. Here's how.
Key Takeaways
- Editorial playlists carry the Spotify byline and are curated by Spotify's genre, lifestyle and culture specialists (Spotify for Artists).
- Playlists marked "Made for [username]" are personalized (algorithmic), not editorial, even if editors chose the song pool.
- You can't pitch a specific playlist. You pitch one unreleased song through Spotify for Artists, and editors decide where it fits (pitching rules).
- Finding the right playlists helps you describe your song accurately in the pitch's genre, mood and culture fields.
- Pitch at least 7 days before release. Once a song is live, it can't be pitched.
How do I tell if a Spotify playlist is editorial?
Check the byline under the playlist title: editorial playlists show Spotify as the creator. Spotify separates three playlist types:
| Type | How to recognize it | Can you pitch? |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial | Spotify byline; curated by Spotify editors | Yes, via Spotify for Artists (unreleased songs only) |
| Personalized | "Made for [username]" (plus DJ, Smart Shuffle, Blends) | No direct pitch; Release Radar uses your pitched song |
| Listener | Created by a user, brand or curator profile | Contact the curator; never pay for placement |
Be careful with copycats. Third-party playlists sometimes use names that sound official. If the creator isn't Spotify, it isn't editorial.
Where do I find editorial playlists for my genre?
There are three reliable places: genre pages in Search, Spotify's own profile, and comparable artists' "Discovered On" sections.
Method 1: Genre pages in Search
- Open Spotify and tap Search.
- Choose your genre or mood tile (for example Hip-Hop, Rock, Electronic, or a mood like Chill).
- Go through the playlist shelves. Note each one with the Spotify byline, its description, and the artists in its top 20 tracks.
These pages are personalized and vary by country, so check from your target market if you can.
Method 2: Search by sub-genre keywords
Search for specific terms, such as "dark pop," "phonk," "cinematic," or "alt R&B", and filter results to Playlists. Editorial playlists often cover narrow scenes. Add the ones with the Spotify byline to your list.
Method 3: Reverse-engineer from comparable artists
This is the most useful method. Find 5–10 artists at a similar career stage (not superstars) with a sound close to yours:
- Open each artist's profile and scroll to Discovered On, which lists playlists where listeners found them.
- Mark the playlists with the Spotify byline.
- Note any that appear for several comparable artists.
Editorial playlists that keep reappearing across your comparison group are your realistic targets.
How do I build a target list?
Keep a simple spreadsheet and update it every release cycle.
| Column | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Playlist name + link | Check that it's still active |
| Byline (Spotify?) | Confirms it's editorial |
| Description wording | Reuse the editors' vocabulary when describing your song |
| 3 representative artists | For "sounds like" references in your pitch and ads |
| Tempo/energy notes | Shows whether your song really fits |
| Seen on comparable artists? (count) | Tells you which targets are realistic |
Ten to fifteen well-matched playlists is plenty. The point isn't to send a list to Spotify, because the pitch form doesn't let you pick playlists. The point is to describe your song in the same terms editors already use.
How do I pitch once I've found the playlists?
Submit one unreleased song in Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release, and describe it using what you learned from your target list. From Spotify's pitching rules:
- Log in at artists.spotify.com and go to Music → Upcoming.
- Choose the song and fill out the form completely. Spotify says "more detail gives your song a better chance."
- Pick genre, mood and culture tags that honestly match the playlists you found.
- In the description, mention the scene, the story behind the song, and your marketing plans.
Rules to know:
- One song per pitch. Once that song goes live, you can pitch another.
- Compilations and songs where you're a featured artist can't be pitched.
- You can edit the pitch until release day, but Spotify says there's no guarantee editors will see the changes.
- Editors may choose a different song from the release than the one you pitched.
- Music videos have their own pitch process (rolling out gradually) for eligible official videos.
A pitched song also goes to your followers' Release Radar. If you have a This Is playlist, you can pin the song there for up to 28 days. Our playlisting guide covers writing the pitch itself.
How do I know if I got added?
Check Music → Playlists in Spotify for Artists once the song is live. Spotify doesn't guarantee placement. If you're not picked, Spotify says the song "may still get discovered later" as your fanbase grows.
Common mistakes when targeting editorial playlists
- Aiming only at the biggest flagship playlists in your genre
- Choosing genre tags for the playlist you want rather than how the song actually sounds
- Trusting "editorial playlist curator contact" lists sold online, since editorial playlists are pitched only through Spotify for Artists
- Paying anyone who claims they can get you on Spotify editorial playlists
- Pitching after release, when the song is no longer eligible
FAQ
Is there an official list of all Spotify editorial playlists?
Spotify doesn't publish one. It says it has thousands of editorial playlists, and they vary by market. Use Search genre pages and "Discovered On" to build a current list.
Can I email a Spotify editor directly?
Spotify's official route for independent artists is the pitch form in Spotify for Artists. Be very skeptical of anyone selling editor contacts.
Can I choose which editorial playlist my song goes on?
No. You describe the song and editors decide where it fits, if it fits anywhere.
Are "Made for You" playlists editorial?
No. Playlists marked "Made for [username]" are personalized. Some use editor-chosen pools, but each listener's version is assembled by algorithms.
Can I pitch an old song?
No. Once a song is live it's no longer eligible. Only upcoming, unreleased songs can be pitched.
Related Guides
- How to Get Playlisted on Spotify
- How to Get Your Music on Spotify
- How to Promote Your Music Release: 4-Week Plan
- Free Music Release Day Checklist
Made by an independent artist. This guide is created by Anarxhy, an alternative artist releasing music independently. Stream Anarxhy's music on Spotify, Apple Music, and all platforms.