Want your music on Spotify’s Release Radar playlist? I get it – you’re putting your music online but it’s not reaching enough people. You check your streams on Spotify daily, hoping to see bigger numbers, but growth feels slow.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to get your music featured and increase your chances of getting more plays. You’ll learn:
- How Release Radar really picks songs (it’s not just about follower count)
- The best time to release your music for maximum impact
- Simple ways to make your profile catch Spotify’s attention
- How to get more streams without spending money on advertising
By the way, getting on Release Radar starts with having a truly release-ready track. If you’re still working on your next hit, remember that the foundation is everything. You can find the foundation for your next single in my main catalog. But for now, let’s focus on getting onto Release Radar and boosting your music career.
How to Get Music on Release Radar: A Complete Guide
If you’re ready to share your music with more listeners, getting on Release Radar should be one your top goals. Unlike regular playlists, Release Radar puts your songs in front of people who are most likely to enjoy them.
What Makes Release Radar Different from Discover Weekly
Release Radar is special because it works differently from other Spotify playlists. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Release Radar shows your newest songs to people who already like similar music
- The playlist updates every Friday with fresh tracks
- Each Spotify user gets their own personalized version based on what they like to hear
- Your music can reach both your followers and new listeners who enjoy your style
This makes it much better than trying to get on regular playlists where your songs might not match what listeners want.
Let’s look at how these playlists stack up against each other:
| Feature | Release Radar | Discover Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Updates | Every Friday | Every Monday |
| Focus | New releases only | Any tracks that match taste |
| Audience | Followers + similar taste listeners | Based purely on listening habits |
| Track age | Must be recent | Can be any age |
Since starting out as a producer, I’ve seen that streams from Release Radar often show more engagement than those picked up by Discover Weekly. Why? Because these listeners are actively seeking new music they’ll love.
How Spotify Picks Songs for Release Radar
Spotify’s algorithm chooses which songs show up on Release Radar by looking at several things. Here’s what affects your chances:
- How many people follow you on Spotify
- Whether listeners save your previous tracks
- How long people listen to your songs
- If fans add your music to their own playlists
- Your profile’s overall activity and engagement
The good news? You can work on all these things to boost your chances. Artists who focus on building genuine connections with fans usually see better results on Release Radar.
A lot of artists ask me if there’s a magic number of followers needed to get on Release Radar. The truth is, there isn’t. I’ve found artists with 500 followers get picked up while others with thousands still struggle. It’s all about how your current listeners respond to your music.
To help you understand this better, here’s a basic flow of how the system works:
Remember: Release Radar isn’t just another playlist – it’s a powerful tool that can help your music reach the right ears. In the next section, we’ll cover exactly how to get your music ready for Spotify and maximize your chances of getting featured.
Getting Your Music to Spotify
Getting your music on Spotify is your first step to reaching more listeners. Let’s break down the process into simple steps that actually work.
Finding the Best Way to Upload Your Music
You’ve got several options to put your music on Spotify. Here’s what you need to know about each one:
- Digital distributors handle everything for you and send your music to all major platforms
- Some services offer yearly plans while others charge per release
- Most distributors now include useful streaming data and tools to track your progress
- The best services provide quick upload times and good customer support
It’s better to pick one that gives you solid analytics rather than just going for the cheapest option.
Here’s a simple checklist for choosing your distributor:
✓ Keeps more than 80% of your streaming money in your pocket
✓ Gives you clear stats about how your music performs
✓ Lets you upload new songs quickly
✓ Works well with Spotify’s system
✓ Has good reviews from other artists
You can use DistroKid (7% off), TuneCore, or CD Baby to distribute your music to major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and many more.
Making Your Songs Ready for Submission
Before you upload anything to Spotify, make sure your tracks are fully ready. Here’s what needs to be perfect:
Your Audio Quality Must Be:
- Clear and professional-sounding
- Free from any distortion
- Mixed and mastered properly
- In the right format (16-bit WAV)
- Loud enough to match other songs on Spotify
Your Track Info Should Include:
- Correct spelling of song titles
- Your artist name exactly as it appears on your profile
- The right release date
- All writing and production credits
- Clean and explicit labels if needed
Artists rush to upload their music without checking these details. Take time to get everything right – it makes a huge difference in how Spotify’s system handles your releases.
Three big mistakes to avoid:
- Uploading songs without proper credits can get your music taken down
- Using different spellings of your artist name makes it harder for fans to find you
- Setting wrong release dates can mess up your chances of playlist placement
Give yourself at least 3-4 weeks between uploading your song and the release date. This gives you time to plan promotion and submit for playlist consideration.
Remember: You can’t change most details after your song goes live on Spotify. Double-check everything before hitting submit.
Timing Your Music Release
Good timing helps more people find your new songs through Release Radar. Unlike other Spotify playlists, you don’t need to apply for Release Radar – it happens automatically when you put out new music. Let’s break down how to make it work better for you.
Best Times to Drop Your Music
When you release your song matters a lot. Here’s what works best:
- Put your songs out on Friday – that’s when Release Radar updates for listeners
- Upload your music at least 2 weeks before the release date
- Don’t release on big holidays when lots of other artists drop music
- Space out your releases instead of dropping everything at once
- Watch your Spotify stats to see when your fans are most active
I’ve noticed that artists who plan their release dates carefully often do better. For example, releasing right before a major artist’s album drop might mean fewer people see your music.
Making Sure Your Release Gets Noticed
Since Release Radar works on its own, you need to focus on making your release strong overall:
- Keep your Spotify profile active and updated
- Ask your fans to follow you before the release
- Share snippets of your song on social media to build buzz
- Get your current fans excited about the new music
- Make sure your song details are all filled out correctly
Release Radar shows your music to both your followers and people who might like your style. The better your past music does, the more likely your new songs will reach more people.
What Not to Worry About
Here’s what you don’t need to do:
- Fill out any special applications
- Submit your music for playlist consideration
- Pay for playlist placement
- Contact Spotify directly
- Rush to release your music
Focus instead on:
- Making your music sound great
- Building real connections with fans
- Being consistent with your releases
- Growing your follower count naturally
- Keeping your profile looking professional
One thing I’ve learned helping artists: Release Radar works better when you build up excitement for your release naturally. Don’t try to game the system – just make good music and share it at the right time.
Building a Strong Spotify Profile
Your Spotify profile is like your music home base. Let’s make it shine and help more fans find your music.
Growing Your Follower Count
More followers mean better chances to appear on the Release Radar. Here’s what really works:
Simple Ways to Get More Followers:
- Add your Spotify link to all your social media accounts
- Ask fans to follow you during shows and on social media
- Share snippets of your music on Instagram and TikTok
- Put out new music regularly to keep fans interested
- Get your friends and family to spread the word
One thing I always see work? Being active on the platform. Going quiet can hurt how the algorithm treats your music.
For more tips on growing your Spotify followers and boosting your presence, check out this helpful guide.
Creating Playlists That Get Noticed
Making your own playlists can help you connect with fans and other artists. Here’s how to do it right:
Tips for Making Good Playlists:
- Put your best track near the top, but not first
- Include songs from artists similar to you
- Update your playlists at least once a month
- Give your playlists clear, searchable names
- Mix in some popular songs with smaller artists
I always tell artists to think about their playlists like a DJ set – keep the energy flowing and make sure songs fit well together.
Using Special Profile Features
Spotify gives artists some cool tools to make their profiles better. Here’s what you should use:
Key Profile Features to Use:
- Artist Pick – Show off your latest release or favorite playlist
- Artist Bio – Tell your story in a way that grabs attention
- Profile Image – Use a clear, pro-looking photo
- Canvas – Add short videos to your songs
- Merch Links – Let fans buy your stuff right from Spotify
The best profiles I’ve seen keep things simple but use all these features well. Don’t leave any of them empty – each one is a chance to catch someone’s attention.
Quick Profile Checklist:
✓ Professional photos that match your style
✓ Bio that tells people what your music is about
✓ Links to all your social media
✓ Updated Artist Pick
✓ Good playlist selection
✓ Recent activity that shows you’re active
Your profile is often the first thing new listeners see. Make it count.
Smart Ways to Boost Your Streams
Let’s talk about getting more people to play your music. These tips work well when you use them together with a strong profile.
Running Effective Pre-Save Campaigns
Pre-saves help you get more streams right when your song drops. Here’s how to do them right:
What Makes Pre-Saves Work:
- Start your campaign 2-3 weeks before release
- Give fans a good reason to pre-save (like early access to lyrics)
- Share snippets of your song to build excitement
- Keep reminding people without being annoying
- Thank everyone who helps out
Artists who run good pre-save campaigns often get better first-week numbers. This tells Spotify your music is worth sharing with more people.
Getting on Fan-Made Playlists
Big playlists are great, but smaller fan-made ones can really help too. Here’s what to do:
Steps to Find Good Playlists:
- Look for playlists that match your style exactly
- Check if the playlist is active (updated recently)
- Make sure real people are following it
- Write a nice message to the playlist maker
- Always listen to other songs on the playlist first
Be real when you reach out. Nobody likes copy-paste messages. Take time to listen to their playlist and tell them why your song would fit in.
For more detailed tips on getting your music onto Spotify playlists, be sure to check out this guide on how to get your music on Spotify playlists.
Collaborating with Other Artists
Working with other artists is one of the best ways to reach new fans. Here’s how to do it smart:
Good Ways to Work Together:
- Make songs with artists who have a similar size fanbase
- Share each other’s music in your playlists
- Do live streams or shows together
- Help promote each other’s new releases
- Make playlists together
The key is finding artists who make music like yours. Your fans will probably like their music too, and the other way around.
To learn more about the importance of networking in the music industry and how to build these connections, check out this guide.
Quick Success Checklist:
✓ Run a pre-save campaign for every release
✓ Reach out to playlist curators who like your style
✓ Connect with similar artists in your area
✓ Keep your current fans excited about new music
✓ Stay active on Spotify between releases
Wrapping It Up: Your Path to Release Radar
The Bottom Line: Getting on Release Radar takes work, but it’s worth it. Focus on making good music, building real connections with fans, and using these tips to grow your streams naturally. It won’t happen overnight, but stick with it and you’ll see results.
Remember to:
- Keep your music quality high
- Plan your releases carefully
- Build genuine connections
- Stay active on the platform
- Be patient and consistent
Ready to start working on your next hit? The best way to boost your chances of getting on Release Radar is to start with a track that’s already mixed for the platform. You can explore a catalog of playlist-ready instrumentals and find the perfect sound for your next release.
