Glossary / Streaming

Industry terms

Editorial playlist

An editorial playlist is a playlist picked by a streaming service's own team of editors, as opposed to one generated by its algorithm or made by users.

Also called: editorial playlists, curated playlist

By Aulto · Last reviewed

Why do artists want editorial placements?

They can bring large numbers of new listeners quickly and signal to the algorithm that a song is worth recommending.

How do you get considered?

On Spotify, by pitching an unreleased song through Spotify for Artists before its release date. Other services take pitches through distributors or label relationships.

Is it worth planning around?

Pitch every release, but don't build the whole plan on it. The listeners you can reach yourself (your fan list, your socials, your pre-saves) are the part you control.

Example

An independent artist pitches a single three weeks before release, mentioning the genre, mood and the regional language, so an editor can match it to the right playlist.

  • Playlist pitching

    Playlist pitching is sending an unreleased song to playlist editors or curators, with a short description, so they can consider it for a playlist.

  • Algorithmic playlist

    An algorithmic playlist is made automatically for each listener from what they play, like Spotify's Release Radar and Discover Weekly.

  • Pre-save

    A pre-save lets a fan sign up for a song or album before it comes out, so it reaches them the moment it is released.

  • 30-second rule

    On Spotify, a play counts as a stream once someone has listened to a track for 30 seconds or more.

  • DSP

    DSP (digital service provider) is the industry's name for streaming services and digital stores, like Spotify, JioSaavn, Apple Music and YouTube Music.

  • ISRC

    An ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a 12-character code that identifies one specific recording, so its plays and sales can be tracked and paid.

Turn every click and comment into a fan you can reach

Smart links, pre-saves, bio pages and Reply Drop for Instagram, in one place.

Start free trial