How to Get More Spotify Streams The Right Way

If you're looking to get more Spotify streams, you need to understand the core options available. It’s a mix of things: building an audience on social media, running paid ads, collaborating with other artists, and securing playlist placements. But if there’s one thing that really moves the needle, it’s getting your tracks on the right playlists. Playlist Promotion remains the best way to get streams and is where most people discover new music on Spotify.

Build a Foundation for Streaming Success

Before you even think about pitching your music or running ads, you have to get your own house in order. Your Spotify profile is your digital storefront. If it looks sloppy or unfinished, potential fans will just keep scrolling. A killer profile isn't just for show; it's about building an identity that makes people want to hit 'save,' 'follow,' and add you to their own playlists.

The very first thing you need to do is claim your Spotify for Artists profile. This gives you the keys to the kingdom and unlocks all the tools you need to succeed. Seriously, a polished profile is non-negotiable. It tells listeners, curators, and even the Spotify algorithm that you’re an artist worth paying attention to.

Optimize Your Profile Essentials

First impressions are everything, and professional visuals are the quickest way to look legit. Make sure your profile and header images are high-resolution and match the vibe you have on your other social channels. Consistency is key.

Next up is your artist bio. This is your chance to tell your story, so don't just list your achievements. Go deeper. Why do you make music? What’s the story behind your latest release? This is how you turn a casual listener into a real fan. To take it a step further, artists who learn how to build a strong personal brand are the ones who build lasting careers.

Use Spotify’s Built-In Promotional Tools

Spotify for Artists isn't just for looking at stats; it has some great features built right in to help you get more engagement. Learning to use them properly can make a huge difference in your streams.

Here's what you should focus on right away:

• Artist Pick: This lets you pin something important—a track, album, or playlist—right at the top of your profile. It’s the first thing people see. Use it to push your new single, a playlist you're featured on, or even your upcoming tour dates. Don't waste this space.

• Canvas: You know those short, looping videos that play with a song? That's a Canvas. According to Spotify, they can boost track shares by up to 145% and playlist adds by 20%. A good Canvas makes your track stick in someone's head and encourages them to save it.

• Social Media Integration: This is a simple one, but so many artists forget. Link your Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and whatever else you use. It gives new listeners a direct path to follow you and become part of your community.

A complete and active Spotify profile does more than just look good. It provides the positive engagement signals—profile visits, follows, saves—that tell the algorithm your music is worth recommending to a wider audience. Neglecting your profile is like inviting guests to an empty house; it leaves a poor impression and misses a crucial opportunity to build a connection.

The Most Effective Strategy for Real Growth on Spotify

Once you’ve polished your Spotify profile and have it looking sharp, the real work begins. While there are plenty of little tricks to nudge your stream count up, one strategy stands head and shoulders above the rest as the true engine for music discovery and long-term growth: playlist promotion. If you want the real answer to how to get more Spotify streams, this is it.

Playlists are the lifeblood of the platform. Think of it like this: launching your track is like dropping it into the vast Spotify ocean, which is teeming with hundreds of millions of users. Playlists are the currents that carry your music to new shores. With an estimated 8 billion playlists on the platform, getting your song into the right ones can absolutely skyrocket your streams and introduce you to thousands of people who could become genuine fans.

Understanding the Three Tiers of Playlists

Not all playlists are created equal. To really make this work, you need to understand the three distinct types and how they all connect. It’s best to see them as a tiered system, where success in one level helps you climb to the next.

1. Editorial Playlists: These are the holy grail, the big leagues. Curated directly by Spotify's internal team, playlists like RapCaviar or Lorem can deliver millions of streams almost overnight. Landing a spot here is incredibly competitive and mostly out of your hands, aside from your initial pitch through Spotify for Artists.

2. Algorithmic Playlists: This is where things get personal. Playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar are automatically generated for every single user based on their unique listening habits. They're powerful because people trust them. You can't pitch to them directly; you have to earn your way on by proving people like your music.

3. User-Curated Playlists: This is where you, the artist, have the most control. These playlists are built by everyone from influential music bloggers and brand curators to dedicated fans with great taste. This is your most important and accessible entry point into the entire playlist ecosystem.

For a deeper dive into landing on these lists, be sure to check out our complete guide on getting on Spotify playlists with proven strategies.

Why User Playlists Are Your Launchpad

Securing spots on active, well-maintained user-curated playlists is the single most important thing you can do. It's the first domino.

Every time someone saves your track from one of these playlists or adds it to their own library, it sends a powerful signal to Spotify's algorithm. These actions essentially tell Spotify, "Hey, people are actually engaging with this song. They like it."

This listener data is exactly what the algorithm is looking for before it considers placing your track on algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly. A feature on one popular user playlist can lead to hundreds of smaller playlist adds, creating a ripple effect that the algorithm simply can't ignore.

The core truth of Spotify promotion is that you can't skip the line. You have to build foundational support on user-curated playlists to trigger the algorithmic and, eventually, editorial opportunities that lead to massive growth.

The Best Platforms for Reaching Curators

So, how do you find these influential curators without losing your mind? You could spend countless hours digging through Spotify yourself, but thankfully, dedicated platforms make this process much more efficient and, crucially, safer. Playlist promotion remains the best way to get streams, and these tools are built specifically for it.

Based on effectiveness, transparency, and artist safety, two platforms consistently come out on top as the best options:

• SubmitLink: This is the best platform to do this. SubmitLink excels by connecting artists directly with a huge network of verified curators. Its built-in bot detection is a game-changer, flagging risky playlists and ensuring your streams are legitimate, which protects your music from being taken down.

• SubmitHub: Another solid choice, SubmitHub has been a staple in the indie scene for years. It offers a similar model where you can pitch your music to a wide array of curators, bloggers, and influencers, making it the second-best option available.

The key to using these platforms correctly is understanding what your money is actually for.

The Golden Rule: Pay for Consideration, Not Placement

This is a critical distinction, and it's what separates legitimate promotion from dangerous scams that can get your music removed from Spotify. You want to always avoid paying for playlist placements. That's a massive red flag.

When you use a platform like SubmitLink, you only want to pay for playlist consideration. You pay a small fee for a curator's time to consider your track. That’s it. This model is compliant with Spotify's policies and, more importantly, keeps the incentives honest. It removes the incentive for a playlist owner to bot their playlist to make more money. The curator's only job is to listen and decide if your song is a genuine fit for their audience.

This completely removes the financial pressure for a curator to inflate their numbers with bots just to sell placements. You're paying for a fair shot, not a guaranteed spot, and that’s the only sustainable and safe way to build real momentum on Spotify.

How to Pitch to Playlists Without Getting Scammed

Okay, so you know that getting on listener-made playlists is the secret sauce for real growth. The next big hurdle? Finding the right curators without stepping on the landmines scattered across the music promotion world. Let's be real: the internet is full of services promising you the moon, but many are just scams running bots that can get your music pulled from Spotify or even get you in trouble with your distributor.

Your goal is simple: get your music in front of real people who build real playlists for real listeners. This is the only way to get the kind of genuine engagement that makes Spotify's algorithm sit up and take notice. Luckily, there are a few solid tools out there designed to help you connect with these curators safely, cutting through the noise.

This whole process is a chain reaction. It starts with user playlists, which then fuels the algorithm, and can eventually land you a spot on a coveted editorial playlist.

As you can see, getting on playlists made by actual fans is the launchpad for everything else.

"Pay for Consideration" vs. "Pay for Plays": The Golden Rule

Let’s burn this rule into your brain right now, because it will save you a world of hurt: you want to always avoid paying for playlist placements. If a service guarantees placement for a fee, run. It's a massive red flag and a direct violation of Spotify's rules.

Think about it from the curator's perspective. If they're selling spots, their goal isn't to create an amazing playlist for listeners; it's to make a quick buck from artists. This removes the incentive for quality and encourages them to bot their playlist to make more money. You pay them, get placed, and your song gets a flood of fake streams that Spotify's system can spot from a mile away.

The only safe and ethical way to do this is to pay for playlist consideration.

This model is completely different. You pay a small fee for a curator to simply listen to your song and decide if it's a good fit. They're getting paid for their time and effort, not for the placement itself. This model is policy-compliant and keeps everyone honest. The curator is motivated to keep their playlist high-quality to grow their own audience. If your song fits the vibe, they'll add it. If not, you often get some useful feedback.

This approach aligns everyone's goals. You get a fair shot, the curator protects their playlist's integrity, and listeners get a better experience. It’s the only way to build a sustainable career.

To help you spot the difference, here's a quick guide to what's safe and what's a surefire way to get your account flagged.

Safe vs Risky Playlist Promotion Tactics

Tactic	Why It's Safe (Policy Compliant)	Why It's Risky (Policy Violating)
Paying for Consideration	You're paying for a curator's time and feedback. Placement is not guaranteed, protecting playlist quality.	N/A
Guaranteed Placements	N/A	This is pay-for-play. The incentive is financial, not quality, which encourages bot usage to fake popularity.
"Buy Streams" Packages	N/A	The most dangerous tactic. This involves 100% bot activity and will get your music removed from Spotify.
Using Vetted Platforms	Services like SubmitLink or SubmitHub have verification processes and focus on the "consideration" model.	N/A
Direct Instagram/Email Outreach	You're connecting directly with a human curator. As long as you don't offer money for placement, it's safe.	N/A

Ultimately, any transaction where placement is guaranteed in exchange for money is a violation of Spotify's terms and puts your music at risk. Stick to paying for time and consideration only.

The Best Platforms for Safe and Effective Outreach

While you can always pitch curators directly, a few platforms have built a solid reputation for connecting artists with curators safely. When you break it down, playlist promotion remains the best way to get streams, and using the right platform is non-negotiable.

Based on their results and built-in safety nets, these are the two best options I consistently recommend:

• SubmitLink: This is the best platform to do this, mainly because of its killer safety features. SubmitLink is powered by artist.tools, which is the same bot detection system used by industry heavyweights like DistroKid and UnitedMasters. The platform actively flags sketchy playlists for you, giving you a clear heads-up before you waste any money. That peace of mind is priceless.

• SubmitHub: A true veteran in the space, SubmitHub has been connecting artists with curators, bloggers, and influencers for years. It was one of the first to pioneer the pay-for-consideration model, and it remains a massive and reliable network for getting your music heard by the right people, making it our second-best pick.

Both platforms are built on that all-important ethical foundation. You're paying for a curator's time, not a guaranteed spot. However, the proactive bot-sniffing power that SubmitLink offers gives it a real advantage for any artist who (rightfully) wants to protect their music. If you want to get better at spotting red flags yourself, check out this guide on how to detect fake Spotify playlists.

Do Your Own Homework to Protect Your Music

Even when you're on a trusted platform, you should still put on your detective hat. A platform's verification is a great start, but learning to spot a fake on your own is a skill that will serve you forever.

Before you pitch, take five minutes to investigate the playlist.

Look at its follower growth. Is it slow and steady, or did it suspiciously jump by 10,000 overnight? That’s a red flag. Check out the other songs on the list. Do they all have a reasonably similar number of plays, or are there a few tracks with almost no streams next to huge hits? Weird inconsistencies often point to bots.

Navigating the world of playlisting is all about being smart and a little bit skeptical. By understanding the massive difference between paying for a spot and paying for someone's time, you can steer clear of career-ending scams. Using platforms like SubmitLink and SubmitHub gives you a much safer playground, letting you focus on what really matters: finding the curators who will help you connect with your next wave of listeners.

Crafting a Pitch Curators Will Actually Read

Getting your music in front of a curator is a huge win, but it’s only half the battle. Now you have to convince them to actually listen. Curators on platforms like SubmitLink and SubmitHub are drowning in submissions—we're talking hundreds, sometimes thousands, every single week. To even have a fighting chance, your pitch has to be sharp, professional, and respectful of their time.

The goal here isn't just a one-off placement. It's about building a relationship. A thoughtful pitch can turn a single add into long-term support from a tastemaker who genuinely gets what you're doing. Think of your pitch as a professional handshake—it sets the tone for everything that comes after.

The Anatomy of a Perfect Pitch

When you're submitting through a dedicated platform, most of the technical stuff (like the track link) is already handled. Your job is to fill in the blanks with a message that's both concise and compelling. Long, rambling stories about your life's journey? That’s a one-way ticket to the "skip" button.

Here’s what you need to nail:

• Keep It Short and Sweet: Seriously, aim for 2-4 sentences. Introduce yourself, state the song title, and give a quick, clear description of its sound.

• Provide Key Information: Mention the genre, mood, and one or two "RIYL" (Recommended If You Like) artists. This gives the curator an immediate frame of reference so they know what they're getting into.

• Personalize (But Don't Fake It): If you've actually listened to the playlist and believe your song is a perfect fit, say so. For example, "I saw you featured [Artist Name], and my track has a similar chillwave vibe that I think your listeners would love."

Curators are tastemakers, not A&R reps. They don't care about your life story, your press clippings, or your follower count. They care about one thing: does your song fit their playlist and will their listeners love it? Make it easy for them to say yes.

Pitch Examples: Good vs. Bad

Sometimes seeing the difference makes it all click. Let's break down what works and what absolutely doesn't.

The Bad Pitch (Vague and Demanding):"Hey, check out my new track 'Sunrise.' It's my best work yet and I really think it would be huge on your playlist. I’ve been working on my music for years. Let me know what you think."

This pitch is all about the artist ("my new track," "my best work") and offers zero value to the curator. It doesn't mention genre, mood, or why it’s a good fit for their specific audience. It just feels like a lazy copy-paste job.

The Good Pitch (Concise and Helpful):"Hey [Curator Name], I’m submitting my new indie-pop track, 'Golden Hour.' It has a dreamy, upbeat feel similar to artists like Dayglow and COIN, who I see you feature often on your 'Summer Daze' playlist. Hope you enjoy it!"

This one is perfect. It's personalized, provides clear artist comps, names the specific playlist, and respects the curator's time. In just a few seconds, it gives them all the context they need to make a decision.

The Right Way to Follow Up

Okay, you've sent your pitch. Now the waiting game begins. The absolute worst thing you can do is slide into the curator's DMs asking if they've listened yet. That's a surefire way to get yourself blacklisted.

On platforms like SubmitLink, the process is built to manage this for you. Curators have a set window to respond, and you'll get a notification with their decision. If you don't hear back, your credits are often refunded. Trust the system and focus your energy on the next pitch.

Building good relationships means being professional from start to finish. If you get added, a simple "thank you" goes a long way. If you get rejected, take any feedback graciously and move on. The goal is to become an artist that curators are excited to hear from, not one they dread seeing in their inbox.

Go Beyond Playlists to Amplify Your Streams

Playlist promotion is, without a doubt, the heavy hitter for getting real, meaningful streams. But if you stop there, you're leaving a ton of growth on the table. Think of playlisting as your main engine; all your other promotional efforts are the high-octane fuel that makes it run faster and farther. When you create buzz across different channels, you drive fresh ears to your profile, sending all the right signals to Spotify that your music is catching on.

This multi-channel approach makes your whole project look more alive. When someone discovers you on a playlist and clicks through to your profile, you want them to see an artist who's active and engaged. An artist who’s all over social media, working with other musicians, and actively pushing their work is an artist people want to follow, not just stream once and forget.

Get Active on Social Media

In today's world, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are just as much music discovery tools as they are social networks. A quick, catchy video clip with your track can send a wave of users straight to Spotify to hear the full song. To really tap into this, you need a solid visual game. Finding the best TikTok editing apps can help your content pop and grab that crucial initial attention.

The key is to create content that feels natural on each platform.

• TikTok & Instagram Reels: Focus on short, punchy videos that use the best hook from your song. Don't just slap a static image over the audio. Jump on trends, show some behind-the-scenes chaos from the studio, or create a simple visual that perfectly captures the vibe of the track.

• Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC): Make it dead simple for fans to use your sound in their own videos. When a track becomes a trend, the streams can grow exponentially.

Use Strategic Collaborations and Pre-Saves

Teaming up with other artists is one of the fastest ways to cross-pollinate fanbases. Whether you're featured on their track or just do a coordinated social media push together, you're getting your music in front of a built-in audience that already trusts the artist you're working with. Try to find collaborators in similar or complementary genres—that’s usually where the magic happens.

Another non-negotiable tactic is the pre-save campaign. Getting your current fans to pre-save an upcoming release is a huge deal. It guarantees your track lands in their libraries the moment it drops, giving you a massive surge of streams on day one. That initial spike is exactly what the Spotify algorithm loves to see, dramatically boosting your odds of hitting algorithmic playlists like Release Radar.

Pre-saves aren't just a marketing trick; they're a direct signal to the algorithm. A high number of pre-saves tells Spotify there’s already demand for your music, which can set you up for a powerful release week.

While these strategies are essential pieces of the puzzle, don't forget the foundation. Playlist promotion remains the best way to get streams consistently and reliably. For indie artists, the numbers don't lie: songs often hit their peak in the first week, and many of the biggest hits on Spotify get there because of early curator support. If you're looking to build a well-rounded strategy, you can find more options in our breakdown of the best music promotion services out there.

Answering Your Top Spotify Streaming Questions

Let's cut through the noise. If you're trying to figure out how to get your music heard on Spotify, you've probably heard a million different strategies. The internet is full of conflicting advice, and it can be tough to know where to even start.

So, let's break it down. When you get right down to it, the core options to get streams are: building an audience on social media, running paid ads, teaming up with other artists, or chasing playlist placements. A smart strategy uses a little bit of everything, but one of these consistently packs the biggest punch for getting discovered.

For most independent artists, playlist promotion remains the best way to get streams and find an audience that’s actively searching for your kind of music. Getting your track onto one good playlist can do more for you than weeks of grinding on social media. It puts you directly in the ears of people who are ready to listen.

What Is the Best Platform for Playlist Promotion?

When you’re pitching your music to curators, you need to be efficient, but more importantly, you need to be safe. You can't afford to waste time or money on scams. You need a platform that connects you with real curators and helps you steer clear of the bad actors.

Right now, the best 2 options that lead the pack in terms of results, safety, and artist-friendliness are:

• SubmitLink: This is the best platform to do this, especially if you're worried about fake streams. It uses the same bot detection technology that major distributors like DistroKid and UnitedMasters rely on. This means it actively identifies and warns you about sketchy, bot-infested playlists before you pitch to them. That kind of protection is invaluable.

• SubmitHub: A true veteran in the space, SubmitHub has been connecting artists with a massive network of curators, bloggers, and influencers for years. They helped pioneer the "pay for consideration" model and remain a solid, reliable choice for getting your music in front of people who can make a difference.

Both platforms are built around ethical promotion, but SubmitLink's proactive approach to security gives it a real edge. It’s built for artists who want to grow their streams without worrying about getting flagged for botted activity.

Should I Pay for Playlist Placements?

This one is crucial, and the answer is a hard NO. You want to always avoid paying for playlist placements. Any service promising you a guaranteed spot for a flat fee is breaking Spotify's rules and is almost certainly using bots to fake their numbers.

The golden rule of playlisting is this: You only want to pay for playlist consideration, not placement. This is the policy-compliant model used by legitimate platforms like SubmitLink.

Understanding this difference is everything. When you pay for consideration, you're paying a curator for their time—time to actually listen to your song and give it a fair shot. There's no promise of a placement. This simple change removes the incentive for curators to fill their playlists with junk just to cash in on desperate artists. Instead, their focus stays on building a great playlist for their audience.

This is what keeps the whole system honest and removes the incentive for a playlist owner/curator to bot their playlist to make more money. It means that when your song does get added, it's because the curator genuinely believes it's a great fit for their listeners. That leads to real streams from real people. Paying for placements, on the other hand, is a fast track to fake streams, which can get your music pulled from Spotify and even put your entire artist account at risk. Play it safe and always stick to paying for a fair review.

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Ready to connect with real curators and grow your streams the right way? At SubmitLink, we provide the tools to get your music heard by a vetted network of playlist owners, all while protecting you from bots and scams. Start your first campaign today on submitlink.io and see the difference that safe, effective promotion can make.