Submitting your music to playlist curators is essential for new releases. These 10 submission sites connect artists directly with curators who are actively looking for fresh tracks to feature.
What Makes a Good Submission Site
Quality submission sites vet their curators for real engagement, provide transparent acceptance rates, and protect artists from bot playlists. The best sites also offer feedback when curators decline, helping you improve future pitches.
1. SubmitHub
Type: Pay-per-submission. Cost: $1-3 per premium submission. Best feature: Guaranteed response within 48 hours with written feedback. Curators must listen to at least 20 seconds. Largest curator network with over 1,000 active blogs and playlist curators.
2. Playlist Pilot
Type: Subscription-based DIY tool. Cost: $19.99-29.99/month. Best feature: AI matches your song's audio characteristics to playlists with similar music. See bot scores and engagement rates before submitting. Generate personalized pitches automatically. Start free trial.
3. Groover
Type: Pay-per-submission. Cost: €2 per submission. Best feature: Strong European curator and radio network. 7-day guaranteed response. Good for artists targeting UK, France, and German markets.
4. SubmitLink
Type: Free aggregator. Cost: Free. Best feature: Collects submission forms from independent curators. No cost to use, though curator quality varies. Good starting point for zero-budget promotion.
5. Soundplate
Type: Free + premium. Cost: Free submissions available. Best feature: Strong in electronic and dance music. Curators self-register, so verify playlist quality independently.
6. Daily Playlists
Type: Campaign-based. Cost: €9-39 per campaign. Best feature: Submit to multiple curators at once. Lower cost than competitors. European focus.
7. Musosoup
Type: Pay-per-submission. Cost: €3 per submission. Best feature: Combines playlist curators with music blogs and press. Good for building broader media coverage.
8. Playlist Suppliers
Type: Managed service. Cost: Varies. Best feature: Curated network of verified playlists. More hands-on service but higher cost. Good for artists who want guidance.
9. Indie Bible
Type: Directory subscription. Cost: Annual subscription. Best feature: Comprehensive database of music contacts including playlist curators, radio stations, and blogs. Requires more work but provides extensive data.
10. Kolibri
Type: Pay-per-submission. Cost: €1.50 per submission. Best feature: Focuses on indie and alternative genres. Smaller but quality-focused curator network.
Submission Best Practices
Submit 2-4 weeks before your release date so curators have time to review. Write personalized subject lines referencing the curator's playlist. Keep pitches under 150 words. Include your Spotify link, genre, and one compelling reason they should add your track.
How to Verify Playlist Quality
Before submitting to any playlist, check follower count vs. monthly listeners ratio. Legitimate playlists have active listeners relative to followers. Use bot detection tools to identify fake playlists. Avoid any playlist with suspicious follower growth patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many submission sites should I use? Use 2-3 sites per release to maximize reach without spreading too thin. Focus on sites that match your genre.
When should I submit my music? Submit 2-4 weeks before release for best results. Some curators need time to schedule additions.
Are free submission sites effective? Free sites work but have lower curator quality. Paid sites offer better vetting and guaranteed responses.
Summary
The best submission sites combine curator quality, transparent pricing, and feedback mechanisms. Use a mix of paid services (SubmitHub, Groover) and DIY tools (Playlist Pilot) for maximum coverage. Always verify playlist authenticity before submitting and personalize every pitch.