Spotify Playlist Submissions for Christian Artists: How to Get Heard in a Crowded Market

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front):

• ✅ Spotify playlists are one of the fastest ways to grow streams and new fans.

• ✅ Christian artists face unique challenges in finding curators who align with their message.

• ✅ Submitting the wrong way wastes time—control matters.

• ✅ Building your own playlist and running ads can be the most powerful long-term strategy.

Why Spotify Playlists Matter for Christian Artists

Spotify playlists function as the modern-day radio. They’re how new artists break through the noise, especially in niche spaces like Christian hip-hop, worship, or faith-based rock.

But here’s the challenge: unlike mainstream pop or hip-hop, Christian music isn’t always prioritized on editorial lists. That means independent playlists carry even more weight. The right placement can transform your streams from dozens to thousands within a few weeks. And because listeners are actively seeking new faith-based songs, the engagement tends to be deeper and more personal than other genres.

For artists with a message that matters, playlists aren’t just about exposure—they’re about amplifying ministry through music.

Submitting to Playlists the Right Way

Your first stop should always be Spotify for Artists’ official pitch tool (for unreleased songs). That submission gives your track a chance at algorithmic playlists like Release Radar and Discover Weekly, which can scale your reach automatically.

Outside of Spotify’s own system, independent curator playlists are your best bet. But most artists fail here because they submit blindly. A worship ballad in a Christian rap playlist doesn’t just get skipped—it sends negative data to Spotify’s algorithm. The result? Fewer organic pushes in the future.

💡 Pro tip: Before submitting, listen to at least 5–10 tracks already on the playlist. If your song feels out of place, don’t submit. Fit always beats playlist size.

How to Find Playlist Curators

Finding curators takes some detective work, but it’s doable:

1. Search for playlists in your genre (e.g., “Christian rap,” “worship mornings,” “faith-based rock”).

2. Click the profile of the account that built the playlist.

3. Look for matching usernames on social media (Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok).

It’s not a 100% hit rate, but this method has worked consistently for artists who take the time. When you reach out, keep your message professional and short:

• Who you are

• Your song link

• Why you think it fits their playlist

Avoid long bios or generic “please add my track” spam. Curators value efficiency and authenticity.

Building Your Own Custom Playlist (Full Control Strategy)

Here’s where many Christian artists stop too soon: only chasing other people’s playlists. The most powerful move? Building your own.

When you create a playlist around your sound and values, you control:

• Placement: Your song is always at the top.

• Theme: You decide the mood (e.g., “Christian Hip-Hop for Late Nights,” “Peaceful Worship Mornings”).

• Branding: The playlist itself builds your identity as a tastemaker, not just another artist begging for spots.

Step 1: Build a Playlist with Context

Don’t just throw your track and random Christian songs together. Create a mood-driven, audience-specific playlist. Example:

• “Morning Worship & Study” → acoustic, calm songs for devotional time

• “Christian Rap Motivation” → uptempo tracks for workouts or driving

Put your track first, then fill the rest with popular songs in your genre. This ensures that listeners who click in will already be primed for your sound.

Step 2: Run Ads to Grow Saves

Once your playlist is built, run Facebook & Instagram ads (Meta Ads Manager) targeting people who listen to artists similar to you. Instead of advertising your single directly, push people to follow and save your playlist.

Why this works:

• People are more likely to click on a playlist than a single.

• Every follower is a long-term listener.

• When you release new music, you can place it at the top, guaranteeing exposure.

💡 Example Strategy: Create a $10/day ad targeting fans of Lecrae, Elevation Worship, or NF. Direct them to your playlist. Even with small budgets, you can stack hundreds of real followers in weeks.

Step 3: Keep It Fresh

Update the playlist weekly. Add trending Christian tracks so listeners keep coming back. The more engagement your playlist gets, the higher it ranks in Spotify search—bringing in organic listeners over time.

This is one of the few playlist strategies where you hold complete control over your output. No waiting on curators. No risking rejection. You’re the curator.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Spamming curators with mass DMs → Curators ignore copy-paste submissions.

• Targeting massive general playlists → “Pop Hits 2025” won’t care about your Christian song. Aim for relevance, not size.

• Neglecting your own ecosystem → Playlists introduce listeners, but they won’t stay unless you capture them on social media, email, or community platforms.

Beyond Playlists: Building Long-Term Fans

Playlists spark discovery, but discovery means nothing without conversion. Once someone hears you:

• Make sure your social media matches your brand and message.

• Share stories behind your songs (Christian listeners connect to testimony and authenticity).

• Build an email list so you can announce new music directly.

• Consider organic Meta ads that send people straight to your Spotify profile or playlist.

Playlists grow streams. Systems grow careers.

Conclusion

For Christian artists, Spotify playlists can be the difference between staying hidden and getting heard worldwide. But the real power isn’t only in submitting—it’s in taking control by building your own playlists and running ads to grow them.

If you want to become self-sufficient, check out our guide on music marketing, which walks you step-by-step through building long-term strategies that work across platforms.

Or, if you’d rather skip the trial and error, book a call with us at Heaven Bound Music Marketing. We’ll help you scale your music career through done-for-you organic advertising methods built to get results.