How to Get Your Music on Playlists for Free (Step-by-Step Guide)

Kristine Decena
Aug 30
3 min read

In music, exposure is power.

No matter how good your song is, if nobody hears it, it stays in the shadows.

Getting placed on playlists is one of the most effective ways to grow an audience, build momentum, and create income from your craft. Think of playlists like modern radio stations. They introduce new listeners to artists, and sometimes one placement can change an entire career.

History shows us that power often comes down to visibility. Just as generals in war rely on scouts to spread their influence, musicians today must rely on digital scouts—curators, algorithms, and fans who decide what tracks deserve attention.

Why Playlists Matter

Massive Reach – One good placement can put your track in front of thousands, even millions of listeners.
Algorithm Boost – Songs that perform well on playlists are often recommended more by the platform’s discovery features.
Career Growth – Increased streams can lead to more revenue, industry attention, and live show opportunities.

Case Study: Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road first gained traction through playlist circulation before dominating the charts. Without those early placements, it may never have reached the public eye.

Types of Playlists

Editorial Playlists – Curated by the platform’s internal team. These are highly competitive but very powerful.
User-Curated Playlists – Managed by influencers, DJs, bloggers, or regular fans with strong followings.
Algorithmic Playlists – Personalized based on listener habits (examples: release radar, discover mixes).

Strategies to Get Placed

1. Submit Officially Through the Platform

Many streaming services allow you to pitch unreleased songs directly through their artist portals.
Submitting early (at least a few weeks before release) increases your chance of being considered for editorial playlists.

Example: Independent rapper Russ consistently uploaded songs with proper metadata and early submissions, which led to organic playlist support.

2. Build Relationships with Curators

Research curators in your genre—many have email contacts or social profiles.
Be professional, polite, and clear when reaching out. Send a short introduction, your track link, and why it fits their playlist.
Avoid spamming. Think long-term relationships, not one-off wins.

3. Focus on User Playlists First

Smaller, independent playlists may seem less glamorous, but stacking many mid-size placements can rival one large editorial slot.
Start niche—target playlists that match your sound (lofi, trap, workout, etc.).

Case Study: Clairo’s early songs were championed on smaller indie playlists before growing into global recognition.

4. Boost Your Own Momentum

Promote your music on social media, TikTok, and Instagram to show curators your song already has traction.
Encourage fans to add your track to their personal playlists.
A song that performs well outside the platform often attracts playlist attention.

5. Perfect the Presentation

Cover art should look professional and eye-catching.
Metadata (artist name, song title, genre tags) must be accurate.
A sloppy presentation signals “amateur,” which turns curators away.

The Power of Patience and Consistency

Success doesn’t happen overnight. Many artists grind for years before catching their first break. Like Robert Greene writes, “Power is a game of patience.” Each playlist you land builds momentum for the next.

Outro

Getting on playlists is not about luck—it’s about strategy, presentation, and persistence. Every stream is a step toward building influence.

If you need help submitting music to playlists or other career-boosting opportunities, reach out to us. The right move today could change your entire journey tomorrow.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Our recently upgraded Pro Plan is the perfect option for independent artist playlist submissions and attracting record labels while seeing a return on your investment. Here's how it works...