Editorial playlists get the attention, but algorithmic playlists are where most independent momentum actually comes from. Two matter most — and unlike editorial, you can’t pitch them. Here’s how they work and how to earn your place.
The two main algorithmic playlists
Release Radar
A personalised playlist of new music, updated every Friday. It automatically includes new releases from artists a listener follows — so your existing followers get your new song here on release day, as long as it’s in Spotify’s system in time. (Pitching at least 7 days early lets you choose which song.)
Discover Weekly
A personalised playlist of older tracks a listener hasn’t heard, updated every Monday. It’s driven entirely by listening behaviour — Spotify surfaces your song to people whose taste matches your existing audience. It can pick up your track weeks or even months after release.
How to actually get on them
You can’t submit to either, but you can feed the signals they run on:
- Saves — get listeners to add your track to their library, not just play it.
- Completion — a strong hook that keeps people past the first 30 seconds.
- Playlist adds — when real fans add your song to their own playlists.
- Low skips — the fewer people skip, the more the algorithm trusts your track.
Build genuine engagement, release consistently, and grow your followers so Release Radar has more people to reach.
Quick FAQ
- Can I pitch Discover Weekly? No — it’s earned entirely through listener engagement over time.
- Why didn’t my followers get my release? If the song wasn’t in Spotify’s system before release day, it can miss Release Radar entirely.
