Earn money with Spotify playlists: How to monetize your playlist

Earn money as a Spotify playlist curator: How to monetize your Spotify playlist

Spotify playlists have long been more than just personal collections. They have the potential to influence careers, set trends and make songs accessible to a wide audience. If you run a playlist with a loyal audience, you can use this influence not only culturally, but also financially.

Why playlists have become a business segment

As the number of artists on Spotify continues to grow, so does the competition. Many musicians are specifically looking for reach outside of the algorithmic playlists and are turning to independent curators. This is precisely where a market opens up for you as a playlist operator in which you can monetize your work.

Monetization opportunities for playlist curators

1. Groover: money for feedback, not for placements
With our partner Groover artists can pitch their songs specifically to playlist curators, labels and blogs. The following applies: You don't ask for money for a guaranteed placement, but for your feedback and for listening to the song. If the track fits your playlist, you can add it - but you don't have to.

• Advantage: Transparency and fairness
• Source of income: per song listened to and rated

2. Collaborations with labels and artists
Labels and artists invest specifically in reach. If your playlist reaches the right target group, you can receive direct requests - for feedback or long-term collaborations, for example. It is important to always act transparently and fairly.

3. Own playlists as an artist or label
An often underestimated way: if you are an artist yourself or run a label, you benefit from the performance of your own playlists. Every placement of your own songs can generate additional streams - and therefore also direct income via royalties. This makes your playlist not only a marketing tool, but also a source of income.

4. Patreon, Steady & Community Support
Offer your community exclusive content: secret playlists, behind-the-scenes or voting rights for new songs. Supporters pay a monthly contribution and you build up a direct source of income.

5. Social media & content monetization
Many successful curators combine their playlists with content. Whether reels, TikToks or your own YouTube channel: Ads, sponsors or collaborations can generate additional income.

Important rules and tips

• No sale of fixed spots: It is strictly forbidden to charge money for a guaranteed placement in a playlist. This falls under "payola" and is prohibited. Playlist owners who accept payments for fixed spots can be reported and banned from the platform. However, accepting money for feedback and giving artists the opportunity to be included in a playlist is permitted - but without a guarantee of placement.
• Maintain authenticity: Only place songs that really fit your playlist. This ensures long-term trust.

• Build a community: Reach is created via social media, blogs or newsletters.

   

Playlist curating can be more than just a hobby

Spotify playlists are a key medium in the music world. As a curator, you can not only exert influence, but also generate income - be it via platforms such as Groover, through collaborations, through your own artist or label playlist or through content monetization.
Do you want to get your music into playlists or expand your network? Sign up with us now and benefit from our experience in digital music distribution.