Updated: November 2026 · Diskover team
Quick answer: a Spotify editorial playlist is a list created and updated by Spotify’s team of editors (new releases, genres, moods for each country). You can’t pay to get on one. The two routes are the Spotify for Artists pitch, which you do yourself at least 7 days before release, and your distributor’s work with the editors. At Diskover we have a direct relationship with editorial teams and land placements every week on editorial playlists at Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Amazon; pitching is included in all our plans.
What is a Spotify editorial playlist?
It’s a list created by people who work at Spotify: editors who specialise in genres, countries and music cultures. They usually carry the Spotify logo and you can recognise them because the author is “Spotify”. There are editorial playlists for weekly new releases, genres (urban, pop, flamenco, rock, electronic…), moods, activities and emerging artists.
Types of playlists on Spotify
| Type | Who creates it | Examples | How to get on it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editorial | Spotify editors | New release, genre and country playlists | Pitch in Spotify for Artists and your distributor’s relationship with the editors |
| Algorithmic | The algorithm, for each user | Release Radar, Discover Weekly, Radio, Daily Mix | Real listening: saves, repeat plays, followers, a low skip rate |
| Algotorial | Editors choose the songs; the algorithm orders them for each user | Many genre and mood playlists | Pitch + good listening data |
| User and curator playlists | People, brands, media, labels | Independent playlists | Direct contact with the curator |
Why do editorial playlists matter so much?
- They put you in front of thousands or millions of listeners who don’t know you.
- They generate plays that then feed the algorithm, which recommends you in Radio and Discover Weekly.
- They give you credibility with media, promoters and labels.
But they aren’t everything: an editorial playlist can give you lots of plays for a few weeks and few followers. What builds a career is turning those listeners into fans.
How to get on Spotify editorial playlists
- Upload your song in advance (2–4 weeks) so you have time to pitch it.
- Pitch from Spotify for Artists with complete information and a specific description. We explain how in our guide to pitching on Spotify.
- Look after your profile: photo, bio, Artist Pick, Canvas and links to your socials.
- Drive real listening from day 1: pre-save, social media, TikTok and Instagram content, newsletter. Editors look at how the audience responds.
- Release regularly. An artist who releases every 6–8 weeks creates more opportunities than one who releases once a year.
- Work with a distributor that has relationships with the editors. Distributors and labels can present priority releases to the editorial teams at Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and YouTube.
What not to do
- Pay anyone who promises you an editorial playlist. Spotify’s editors don’t accept payment.
- Buy streams or get onto playlists with bots. Spotify detects artificial streaming, can remove your song and penalise your distributor. More information in how to avoid artificial streams.
If you’re looking for other ways to grow in the meantime, see our ideas in playlists for emerging artists.
How we work editorial playlists at Diskover
Anyone can pitch in Spotify for Artists. What makes the difference is having someone who knows the editors and presents your release at the right moment. That’s what we do every week:
- Editorial pitching on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Amazon, not just Spotify.
- Diskover’s own playlists to give our artists visibility (from Unlimited).
- Official Spotify partner for Discovery Mode, so you can also grow on Radio and Autoplay, where much of the algorithmic listening happens.
- Releases on Spotify in under 24 hours, so you don’t miss opportunities when a track starts to move.
- Micro-influencer campaigns on TikTok and Instagram with ZYNK Creators (10% off for Unlimited and PRO artists), to generate the real listening editors look at.
| Diskover plan | Editorial playlist pitching | Diskover playlists | Extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter (€1.99/month) | Included (low priority) | — | Free pre-save / smart link |
| Unlimited (€9.99/month) | Included (mid priority) | Included (mid priority) | Official Artist Channel on YouTube, follow-up for moving to PRO |
| PRO (percentage) | Top priority | Top priority | Dedicated team, sync pitching, specific release time on Spotify |
No serious distributor can guarantee you an editorial playlist: the decision is the editors’. What we can do is greatly increase your chances. See plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Spotify editorial playlist?
It’s a playlist created and updated by Spotify’s team of editors, organised by genre, country, new releases or mood.
Can you pay to get on an editorial playlist?
No. Spotify doesn’t accept payment to get on its editorial playlists. Be wary of any service that promises it.
How do I know if my song is on an editorial playlist?
In Spotify for Artists, in the song’s statistics, you’ll see the playlists it appears on and how many plays each one has given you.
What’s the difference between an editorial and an algorithmic playlist?
Editorial playlists are chosen by people on Spotify’s team; algorithmic ones are generated by the system for each user based on their listening habits, like Release Radar or Discover Weekly.
Can Diskover get my song onto an editorial playlist?
No one can guarantee it, because each platform’s editors decide. Diskover presents your releases directly to the editorial teams at Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Amazon and lands placements every week; priority depends on your plan.
