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How to get your song on YouTube Music Playlists

How to get your song on YouTube Music Playlists

Updated for 2026: YouTube Music has quietly become one of the most important platforms for music discovery, especially for artists looking to reach listeners outside of traditional streaming apps. With billions of users already on YouTube, playlists on YouTube Music play a major role in how songs get surfaced, saved, and replayed.

Getting your song on YouTube Music playlists isn’t about luck or spammy submissions. It’s about understanding how the platform works, how curators discover new music, and how listener engagement signals influence playlist placement.

In this free guide, we’ll break down exactly how to get your song on YouTube Music playlists – whether they’re editorial, user-generated, or algorithmic – and what actually matters in 2026.

Why should you care about YouTube Music?

1) YouTube Music’s Reach is Massive

Over 80 Million YouTube Music Users
The third-most downloaded music app worldwide
44% of Gen Z users in the US use YouTube for music streaming
YouTube Music is the preferred music platform for 28% of consumers in the United States

2) YouTube Music is Different from Spotify & Apple Music

YT Music is More Than Just Audio Tracks

Since YouTube Music is built on top of YouTube.com, it offers much more than just music tracks. It includes music videos, live performances, covers, remixes, and user-generated content. This variety allows emerging musicians to showcase their talent through different formats beyond just audio tracks.

New Fans Can Find You through Videos

Aspiring artists can leverage YouTube Music’s visual component to create engaging music videos that potentially reach a broader audience. Visual storytelling and creativity can help them stand out and attract attention.

You Can Interact and Engage with Your Listeners

The platform fosters direct interaction between musicians and their audience through comments, live streams, and community posts. This engagement can help artists build a dedicated fan base and gather feedback in real time, fostering a stronger connection.

YT’s Search & Recommendation Algorithm Finds You Fans

YouTube’s algorithms are known for their ability to suggest content tailored to users’ preferences. Emerging musicians can benefit from this by having their music recommended to users interested in similar genres or artists.

YT Offers Cross-Promotion and Virality

YouTube videos can easily be shared across various social media platforms, increasing the potential for a video or song to go viral. This can significantly boost the visibility of emerging musicians.

YouTube Music Playlists vs Regular YouTube Playlists

One common point of confusion is the difference between YouTube Music playlists and standard YouTube video playlists.

YouTube Music playlists live inside the YouTube Music app and function similarly to Spotify or Apple Music playlists.
Regular YouTube playlists are collections of videos on YouTube itself, often curated by channels, influencers, or brands.

In 2026, both types matter.

Many playlist curators still operate primarily on standard YouTube playlists, while YouTube Music pulls signals from listening behavior across the broader YouTube ecosystem. A song that performs well in video playlists can still influence its visibility on YouTube Music—and vice versa.

For artists, the best strategy is to target both formats, since discovery can happen in either place.

How the YouTube Music Algorithm Works in 2026

YouTube Music’s algorithm has evolved beyond simple view counts.

In 2026, the platform prioritizes listener behavior, not just exposure. Signals that matter most include:

Saves to a listener’s library
Playlist adds and re-adds
Repeat listens
Low skip rate
Engagement shortly after release (especially the first 24–72 hours)

This means that getting your song placed on relevant playlists is far more effective than chasing large playlists with disengaged listeners.

The algorithm is designed to reward songs that listeners actively choose to keep listening to—making quality placements more important than volume.

What YouTube Music Playlist Curators Look For

In 2026, YouTube Music curators, both editorial and independent, are less focused on genre labels and more focused on audience fit.

Most curators want to know:

Who is this song for?
Is there proof that people already like it?
Does it fit naturally with the rest of the playlist?

Data matters more than ever. Songs that already show traction – whether through Spotify streams, YouTube engagement, or Shorts performance – pare far more likely to be added.

A strong pitch clearly explains:

The vibe and mood of the song
Comparable artists (not just genre tags)
Any early performance indicators

Curators are not looking for perfection—they’re looking for signals that listeners will engage.

How to get your song on YouTube Music Playlists

Part 1: Find YouTube Music Playlists that fit your music

Conduct a Genre-Specific Search on YouTube

Do a Genre-Specific Keyword Search

Start by entering specific keywords related to your music genre, mood, or style in the YouTube search bar. For instance, if you’re an indie folk artist, search for terms like “indie folk playlists” or “best indie folk songs.”

Explore Your Search Results

Scan through the search results that populate. Look for playlists rather than individual songs or channels. Playlists tend to feature a collection of songs within a specific theme or genre.

Analyze Playlist Titles & Descriptions

Pay attention to playlist titles and descriptions. They often contain keywords that indicate the playlist’s focus, such as “chill indie vibes” or “upbeat pop hits.”

Filter by Playlist: After entering your search terms, navigate to the “Filters” option located beneath the search bar. Click on “Playlist” to filter the search results specifically for playlists related to your search query.
Sort by Relevance or Views: You can further sort the results by relevance or views. Sorting by views can help you identify popular playlists with a larger audience, potentially offering more exposure for your music.
Explore Channel Playlists: Sometimes, playlists are curated by YouTube channels. Clicking on a playlist might lead you to the channel responsible for its curation. Explore these channels to find more playlists and potentially the curators behind them.

Why This Approach Works

Relevance to Your Music: Using specific keywords ensures that the playlists you discover are more likely to align with your music style and genre.
Focused Results: By filtering for playlists and sorting by relevance or views, you can narrow down your search to playlists that are more prominent or closely related to your music, increasing the likelihood of finding relevant curators.
Understanding Playlist Themes: Analyzing playlist titles and descriptions gives insight into the themes or moods these playlists focus on. This understanding helps tailor your music submissions to match their preferences.

By combining these search techniques, you can efficiently identify playlists and channels that resonate with your music. This method helps you discover potential curators who manage playlists within your genre, providing a solid foundation for approaching them to submit your music.

Part 2: Submitting Your Music to YouTube Music Playlists

After you have completed part one you’re ready for the submission process.

1) Review the Playlists/Curators from Part 1 above

Research and identify YouTube Music curators who manage playlists matching your music genre, style, or mood. Use platforms like social media, music forums, or even direct searches on YouTube to find these curators.

2) Review Submission Guidelines

Each curator might have specific submission guidelines. It could involve filling out a form, sending an email, or using a submission platform. Carefully read and adhere to these guidelines to ensure your submission isn’t overlooked.

3) Prepare Your Submission

Before submitting, ensure your music is ready for presentation. This includes high-quality audio files, eye-catching cover art, a compelling description, and all necessary metadata (artist name, track title, release date, etc.).

4) Personalize Your Approach

Customize your submission to each curator. Mention specific playlists they manage that resonate with your music. Show genuine interest in their work and explain why your track would be a good fit for their audience.

5) Use Analytics Tools

Tools like YouTube Analytics or other music data analysis platforms can help identify which playlists are driving traffic to your music. Focus your efforts on submitting to curators managing similar playlists.

6) Engage Before Submission

Engage with the curator’s content before making your submission. Comment on their playlists, share their content, or participate in discussions they initiate. This helps create familiarity and increases the likelihood of your submission being noticed.

7 ) Follow-Up

If there’s an opportunity for follow-up or additional communication mentioned in the submission guidelines, do so after submitting your music. A polite follow-up message expressing gratitude for their consideration can sometimes reinforce your submission.

8) Be Patient

Understand that curators receive numerous submissions regularly. It might take time for them to review and consider your music. Be patient while waiting for a response.

9) Track Your Submissions

Keep a record of your submissions, including dates, curator details, and any responses received. This helps in following up or adjusting your approach for future submissions.

By approaching YouTube Music curators strategically, maintaining professionalism, and compellingly presenting your music, you increase the likelihood of your song getting noticed and potentially added to playlists, thereby expanding your audience reach.

How YouTube Shorts Can Help You Get on Playlists

YouTube Shorts has become one of the most common discovery tools for playlist curators.

In 2026, many curators actively browse Shorts to find:

Songs with strong watch time
High comment activity
Repeat usage across multiple Shorts

A Short doesn’t need to go viral to be useful. Even modest engagement can lead a curator to your artist profile, where they may explore your full releases and add your song to a playlist.

Shorts act as a discovery layer, while playlists act as a retention layer. Used together, they can significantly increase your chances of playlist placement.

Frequently Asked Questions About YouTube Music Playlists

How long does it take to get on a YouTube Music playlist?
It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on curator interest, song performance, and how well the track fits a playlist.

Are YouTube Music playlists editorial or algorithmic?
Both. Some playlists are editorially curated, while others are influenced by listener behavior and engagement signals.

Can independent artists get on YouTube Music playlists?
Yes. Many YouTube Music playlists are curated by independent curators who actively look for new, unsigned artists.

Do labels have an advantage on YouTube Music?
Labels may have direct editorial relationships, but strong listener engagement and data can level the playing field for independent artists.

How long does it typically take to get a response after submitting a song to a playlist curator?
The waiting period can vary widely depending on the curator’s schedule and the volume of submissions they receive. It could range from a few days to several weeks or even months. Patience is key, and following up politely after a reasonable period can be beneficial.

Is there a cost involved in submitting songs to YouTube Music playlists?
The blog doesn’t mention the costs associated with submissions. While many playlist curators accept submissions for free, some may charge a fee for consideration or promotion. It’s essential to research and understand the curator’s policies before submitting your music to avoid any potential scams or pay-for-play schemes.

Can getting on a YouTube Music playlist directly impact my revenue from the platform?
The post doesn’t delve into the financial implications of playlist inclusion. Being featured on a playlist can increase your song’s streams, which can lead to higher revenue from YouTube Music. However, the actual impact on earnings will depend on the playlist’s popularity and how listeners engage with your song.

Final Thoughts

Securing a spot on YouTube Music playlists requires a blend of talent, strategy, persistence, and networking. By consistently creating remarkable music, engaging with your audience, and actively pursuing playlist opportunities, you increase your chances of getting noticed.

Keep refining your craft, stay dedicated, and let your passion for music shine through. Remember, each success, no matter how small, is a step forward in your music career.