[FAQ]

Hi,

Our band is gearing up for a new release, and we’re trying to properly understand the mechanics of the Release Radar playlist. We know it’s a huge driver of streams in the first week, but we’re not totally clear on how songs are selected for it.

Is it guaranteed that all of our followers will see our new track in their Release Radar? We’ve had past releases where it felt like the reach was inconsistent. Does a listener’s general activity, like how often they stream our other songs, play a part?

We want to make sure we’re ticking all the right boxes before release day. What are the absolute must-do steps to maximise our chances of landing in our fans’ Release Radar playlists?

[Jeff Bullas]

This is one of the most powerful promotional tools on the platform, so it’s good to get it right.

Short Answer: Release Radar is an algorithmic playlist that delivers your new audio content to your followers and frequent listeners. The single most important step to get on it is to pitch your track through Spotify for Artists at least a week before release.

Let’s break down the two main factors that control your placement: your actions on the audio file and your audience’s engagement.

There are two essential steps to securing a spot. First and foremost, you must submit your unreleased audio using the playlist pitching tool in your Spotify for Artists dashboard at least seven days before its release date; this action is the official trigger that feeds your track into the Release Radar system. Second, the playlist’s primary audience is composed of your followers, so your long-term strategy must involve converting listeners into followers, as this is the most direct signal a user can send that they want to hear your new audio content. While the algorithm also considers frequent listening, a follow is the most reliable way to ensure your new music is served to a fan. Releasing your track on a Friday will also align its debut with the playlist’s weekly update for maximum initial impact.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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