You can pay for tools, reviews or marketing support, but do not pay for a guaranteed playlist placement or a guaranteed number of streams. Start with free submissions, then spend only when a paid option saves you time or reaches better-matched curators.
What Spotify says
Spotify says paid services that guarantee streams or playlist placement should be avoided. It may withhold royalties, correct stream counts or remove a song from playlists when it finds artificial streaming. Your distributor may also act.
Spotify's editors also say you cannot pay to get on an official Spotify playlist.
Spotify's pages do not cover every type of paid service, so check what you are actually buying.
Free and paid options compared
| Type | What you pay for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify for Artists pitch | Nothing | No guarantee and limited to Spotify's editors |
| Direct email to a curator | Nothing | Takes time and many curators will not reply |
| Free marketplace tiers | Nothing | Limited submissions or fewer curators |
| Paid review platforms | A listen and a response | You still pay if the answer is no |
| Curator directory | Access to a list and tools | You do the outreach |
| Campaign service | Reviews and campaign management | Higher upfront cost |
When paying can make sense
- You want a reply: paid platforms such as SubmitHub and Groover set a response window and return credits if curators miss it.
- You need to save research time: a directory like Delaynote can replace hours of searching. You pay once and contact curators yourself.
- You have a budget for a campaign: a larger service may be worthwhile if you can also promote the release elsewhere.
When to avoid paying
- The seller guarantees placement or a stream count.
- You cannot see which playlists or curators are involved.
- A playlist's followers jumped suddenly without an obvious reason.
- Its tracks do not share a clear genre or mood.
- You feel pressured to pay immediately.
- Your song is not ready. Spend on the music first.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Am I paying for a review, access, advertising or a guaranteed outcome?
- How does this service find its listeners?
- Will I see the playlist or curator before I pay?
- What happens if nobody responds?
- Can I measure the result in Spotify for Artists?
A sensible approach for your next release
Step 1: Do the free work. Pitch in Spotify for Artists at least 7 days before release and contact your best-matched curators directly.
Step 2: Run a small test. If you want to try a paid platform, start with a few curators instead of your whole budget.
Step 3: Compare the results. Track replies, placements, saves and new followers, not only stream counts.
Step 4: Repeat what worked. Spend more only when a channel gives you useful results.
How Delaynote handles paid submissions
Delaynote lists both free and paid opportunities because some curators charge their own fee. We do not take part in those transactions or guarantee a result. You can choose to contact only the curators you are comfortable with, and you should apply the same checks to anyone who asks for payment.
Compare your options in our playlist submission sites guide, or use our curator email templates to get started for free.
FAQ
Is paying for playlist submissions illegal? This guide is not legal advice. The more practical risk is breaking Spotify's rules or buying artificial streams, so avoid guarantees and check the service carefully.
Is it okay to pay a curator to review my song? Some platforms charge for a review while allowing curators to decline. Make sure that payment does not guarantee placement, and judge the playlist's audience before paying.
How much should I spend? There is no standard amount. Start small and only increase your spend after a test gives you useful results.