[FAQ]

I’ve been digging into our Spotify for Artists data lately, trying to figure out what’s working for our band. The “source of streams” section is the one I’m currently focused on. I can see the different categories like ‘Your profile and catalog,’ ‘Listener’s own playlists,’ and the various types of Spotify playlists.

What I’m not sure about is what this data is telling me I should do. For example, if most of our streams are coming from ‘Your profile,’ does that mean our social media is working well but we aren’t getting discovered on the platform? And what’s the most effective way to influence streams from algorithmic sources like Discover Weekly?

It feels like this dashboard has the answers for how to grow, but I need some help translating the data into an actual strategy.

[Jeff Bullas]

This is the right data to be focusing on for growth.

Quick Answer: Stream sources tell you how listeners interact with your audio content. Active sources like your profile show existing fan demand, while programmed sources like algorithmic playlists indicate discovery and platform appeal.

Here is a breakdown of what each category says about your music’s performance.

Think of your stream sources in two main buckets: active choices and programmed discovery. Active sources, such as ‘Your profile and catalog’ and ‘Listener’s own playlists’, are your most valuable indicators of a strong, engaged fanbase; this means the text and image content on your profile is effective and your audio content has high replay value. Programmed sources are where you find new listeners. Streams from ‘Spotify algorithmic playlists’ mean the platform’s data analysis of your audio has successfully matched it to new fans, while streams from ‘Spotify editorial playlists’ reflect your music being officially curated, often as a result of a strong pitch or organic editor interest. A healthy artist profile shows a good mix of both, indicating you are retaining your core audience while also growing through discovery.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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