Quality Over Quantity: Playlists in 2023

TikTok Trending vs POV vs Indie Hits?

In recent years, third-party playlists on Spotify have become a crucial tool for independent and emerging artists to get their music heard by a wider audience. However, the debate between quality and quantity when it comes to playlisting has been ongoing. Is it better to have your music on as many playlists as possible, even if they are not a good fit, or to focus on getting your music on playlists that are more aligned with your sub-genre and target audience?

There is a growing consensus that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to playlisting. One full listen by an active listener who is genuinely interested in your music is worth more qualitatively than thousands of passive listens from a playlist populated with contrasting genres. This is where genre data comes into play, as it can help algorithms to show your music to the right listeners.

Spotify's algorithm uses data on listener behaviour, such as their listening history and the playlists they follow, to make recommendations for new music. By using genre data, the algorithm can better understand the musical preferences of each listener and recommend music that is more likely to resonate with them.

For example, if you are a necro-trap artist, it may be tempting to submit your music to every rap playlist that has a large following, regardless of whether it may be largely filled with anime-rap. However, your music is more likely to be well-received and appreciated by listeners who are already fans of dark-trap more generally. By focusing on playlists that are specific to your genre, you increase the likelihood that your music will be listened to by people who are genuinely interested in it.

Another advantage of targeting genre-specific playlists is that it can lead to more engagement and growth on Spotify. When listeners discover new music that they enjoy, they are more likely to become fans and engage with the artist's content, such as following them on social media and attending their concerts. This can lead to more streams, more followers, and ultimately, more opportunities for the artist.

The debate between quality and quantity when it comes to playlisting is an ongoing one. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that quality is more important than quantity. By focusing on genre-specific playlists and using genre data to target the right listeners, artists can increase the chances of their music being well-received and appreciated by the right audience. This, in turn, can lead to more engagement and growth on Spotify, providing more opportunities for artists to succeed in the music industry.