How to pitch Spotify editorial playlists (with examples)
By Sontra Music ·
Spotify's editors read pitches from artists every day. A clear, specific pitch helps them understand your song quickly. Here's how to write one.
Where to submit
You pitch in Spotify for Artists, from the upcoming release in your music list. You can pitch one unreleased song at a time, and the song needs to be delivered by your distributor first.
The 500-character limit
The pitch box takes up to 500 characters, roughly two or three sentences. Every word should tell the editor something useful.
When to submit
At least 7 days before release. Earlier is better: it gives editors more time to listen, and it gets your song into your followers' Release Radar.
What to include
- Genre: be specific. "Melodic tech house" helps more than "electronic".
- Mood: how the song feels and when someone might play it.
- Instruments and sound: what stands out in the production.
- Story: what the song is about or how it came together.
- Marketing plans: ads, content, press or shows around the release.
- Notable facts: collaborators, past support or anything real that sets the release apart.
Spotify for Artists also asks you to tag genre, mood, instruments and style, so the pitch text can focus on what tags can't say.
Example pitch
EXTRA drops a confident, late-night hip-hop track featuring a rolling tech house bassline, crisp hats, and a chopped vocal hook. The song captures the urge to linger as the night ends, born from a long DJ set in Boise when the drop finally lands.
246 characters
It names the genre and mood, describes the sound, and gives a short, specific story. No hype words, no claims it can't back up.
What to avoid
- Vague phrases like "a song everyone will love".
- Asking for a specific playlist.
- Repeating what your tags already say.
Set your expectations
Pitching doesn't guarantee placement. Editors receive far more pitches than they can add. A good pitch gives your song a fair hearing, and the Release Radar benefit applies either way.