Spotify: Everything an Artist Might Need to Know
Understanding and utilizing Spotify's features can significantly impact an artist's reach and engagement. Here's a comprehensive guide, combining my previous articles, to help you navigate these features effectively.
How can I get more streams on Spotify?
Consider These Questions:
How Important is Your Music Catalogue on Spotify?
Your music catalogue, defined by Spotify as tracks 18 months or older, plays a significant role in your growth on the platform. Spotify's analytics show an increasing trend of older tracks in their Top 200, with 33% being over 18 months old in 2022, a notable increase from 13% in 2020. Moreover, a significant portion of merch buyers engage more with an artist's catalogue than their most recent releases. It's essential to maintain visibility for your older tracks, create comprehensive playlists that include your entire music collection, and actively promote them. This approach not only increases play per listener but also broadens the chance of your music being discovered and added to user-curated playlists.
For more insights, read my full writeup on the importance of a music catalogue in my Spotify catalogue article.
How Can You Use Lyrics to Enhance Your Spotify Tracks?
Lyrics play a crucial role in how listeners interact with music on streaming platforms. They not only allow fans to sing along but also help in sharing their favorite parts of a song on social media platforms. Additionally, having lyrics available makes it easier for listeners to find your music when they search by lyrics. You can add lyrics to your Spotify tracks through Musixmatch, a free service for artists. By registering and linking your Spotify profile to Musixmatch, you can ensure that your lyrics are accessible across major streaming services, enhancing your song's shareability and discoverability.
Learn how to effectively add lyrics in my Musixmatch guide.
What is Spotify Discovery Mode?
Spotify Discovery Mode is a feature designed to boost an artist's visibility within the platform's algorithm. This tool enables artists and labels to mark certain tracks as priority, signaling Spotify's algorithm to feature these tracks in personalized playlists like Discover Weekly and Radio. The main benefit of using Discovery Mode lies in its potential to connect artists with new audiences, especially those outside their existing fan base. Statistics show that tracks in Discovery Mode are streamed in an average of 100 markets during the campaign period. Artists have reported significant increases in new listeners and reach, with some experiencing a four-fold rise in new audience engagement.
Will Spotify Discovery Mode Cost You Money?
One of the appealing aspects of Discovery Mode is that it operates without an upfront cost. Instead, Spotify charges a reduced royalty rate on streams where Discovery Mode is active. This commission is deducted from future Spotify statements, making it a more accessible option for artists at different career stages. It's important for artists to weigh the potential increase in exposure against the reduced per-stream rate during the Discovery Mode campaign.
Learn more about how to increase your reach with Spotify Discovery mode in my Discovery Mode Breakdown.
Why Should You Link Fans to Playlists Instead of Songs on Spotify?
Directing fans to playlists rather than individual songs can substantially increase your streams per listener on Spotify. Playlists keep listeners engaged with your music for a more extended period, positively influencing your Spotify algorithm ranking. When a listener is directed to a single song, Spotify's default behavior is to shuffle other songs into the queue after yours. However, if you guide them to a playlist, your music plays continuously before other songs are introduced. This strategy is particularly powerful given the average Spotify user listens for about 25 hours a month. By maximizing this listening time with your playlists, you can significantly enhance your presence on the platform.
Read more about playlist strategy in my Spotify playlists article.
What is Spotify Canvas?
Spotify Canvas is a feature that allows artists to add looping videos to their tracks on Spotify. These visuals appear in the Spotify app and when sharing tracks on social media. Incorporating a high-quality Spotify Canvas can dramatically increase song saves (up to 114%) and shares (up to 145%). The process of adding a Canvas is user-friendly and can be done through the Spotify For Artists app or website. It's an underutilized tool that offers a substantial opportunity for artists to enhance their track's appeal visually. Creative options for your Canvas can include clips from your music video, animated cover art, visualizers, or even simple yet captivating iPhone Live Photos.
Read more about this in my detailed Spotify Canvas article.
Conclusion
Leveraging these features on Spotify can significantly impact your music's visibility, engagement, and overall success on the platform. From enhancing your tracks with Canvas and lyrics to strategically using playlists and understanding the importance of your music catalogue, each element offers unique opportunities for growth and connection with your audience. Stay informed and proactive to make the most of your Spotify journey. For more tips and strategies in the music industry, subscribe to The Music Debrief.