How To Get Your Music Streams on Spotify in 2023 (Spotify Bots, Playlisting & Discovery Mode)

TL;DR

This video discusses the three areas that artists need to understand on Spotify: Bots, playlisting, and the powerful tool called Discovery Mode.

Transcript

we help artists get billions of streams on Spotify but the platform has changed over the years and not enough people are talking about how you should look at it today so in this video I'm gonna go over the three areas that artists asked me about I'm gonna give you the sobering truth as someone who has helped multiple artists grow and has the benefi... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤖 Bots: Bots can be detrimental to an artist's reputation and success on Spotify, as they can lead to revenue loss, legal issues, and getting banned from distribution platforms. Bots should only be considered by major label artists with a strong fan base and specific incentives, or by hustlers who don't care about building a real fan base.
• 🎵 Playlisting: Playlist placements on Spotify, particularly editorial playlists, don't always lead to significant results or viral success for artists. The impact of editorial playlists is diminishing, and algorithmic playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly are proving to be more effective in generating streams and discovering new music.
• 🎶 Discovery Mode: Spotify's Discovery Mode is a powerful tool that can significantly boost an artist's streams and monthly listeners. It allows artists to trade a 30% reduction in royalties for increased exposure on the platform. Discovery Mode focuses solely on the quality of an artist's music, making it a valuable marketing tool for independent artists with strong content.
• 📈 Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for Discovery Mode, artists need to meet certain requirements, including having at least 25,000 monthly listeners, an active Spotify for Artists team, and distributing their music through participating platforms like CD Baby, DistroKid, or United Masters. Artists must also have tracks that have been released for at least 30 days and have recent streaming activity.
• 💡 Strategy: Artists should focus on building a genuine fan base and generating at least 25,000 monthly listeners to become eligible for Spotify's Discovery Mode. This can be achieved through various strategies, such as creating compelling content, running targeted ads, and engaging in influencer campaigns. Once eligible, artists can leverage Discovery Mode to further increase their streams and expand their audience on Spotify.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is it recommended for independent artists to use Bots to gain more streams on Spotify?

No, it is not recommended for independent artists to use Bots to gain more streams on Spotify. While there are cases where Bots may make sense for major label artists, for most independent artists, using Bots can have serious consequences, such as getting kicked off distributors and damaging their reputation. Bots should only be considered if artists have a real fan base, financial resources, and strong connections with reputable Bot providers.

Q: How effective are editorial playlists in boosting an artist's career on Spotify?

Editorial playlists, while valuable in terms of free marketing, do not typically lead to massive impact or viral success for artists. While being featured on an editorial playlist may provide some exposure, most artists end up disappointed with the actual results. It is important for artists to understand that the power of editorial playlists has diminished, and Spotify itself has seen better results with algorithmic playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for artists to access Discovery Mode on Spotify?

To be eligible for Discovery Mode on Spotify, artists must meet the following requirements: have at least three tracks distributed by participating distributors, have a minimum of 25,000 monthly listeners, and have an active Spotify for Artists team registered in one of the eligible countries (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceana, or South America). Artists must also ensure that their eligible tracks have been released on Spotify for at least 30 days and have been streamed in radio or autoplay within the last seven days.

Q: How can artists increase their chances of accessing Discovery Mode on Spotify?

To increase their chances of accessing Discovery Mode on Spotify, artists should focus on growing their monthly listeners organically through various strategies. This can include creating engaging content, running targeted ads, and collaborating with influencers to boost their streams. Once artists have at least 25,000 monthly listeners and meet the other eligibility criteria, they can apply for Discovery Mode and potentially experience a significant boost in their streams.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video addresses the use of Bots and the potential consequences of using them, citing a real-life example of an artist who got kicked off multiple distributors because of Bots.

• Playlisting is discussed, noting that while some playlists can be beneficial, most do not have a significant impact, and editorial playlists are not as powerful as artists may think.

• The video emphasizes the importance of Discovery Mode, a tool that offers immense growth potential for artists on Spotify, as it prioritizes music quality and does not require connections or lots of money.