More and more people are discovering that you can actually make money with Spotify playlists. What once began as a way to organize and share favorite songs has now become a serious revenue source for music lovers, content creators and entrepreneurs.
Whether you have a passion for curating the perfect playlist or are thinking strategically about how to attract listeners, a well-managed playlist can generate thousands of followers. With the right strategies, you can derive revenue from this, ranging from sponsored placements and streaming revenue to collaborations with artists and brands.
But how much can you really earn from a Spotify playlist? And what are the best ways to create and promote a successful playlist? In this blog, we discuss different earning models, the technical steps to create a high-performing playlist and the emerging role of AI in music creation. Whether you’re a beginner or already have an existing playlist, this guide will help you get more out of your Spotify playlists! 🎵💰
- How does making money with a Spotify playlist work?
- How much can you really earn from a Spotify playlist?
- Hoe maak je een Spotify-playlist? (Stap voor stap)
- Hoe maak je een Spotify-playlist? (Technische Stappen)
- Making music with AI: The future of playlist curation
- Making music with AI: The future of playlist curation
- Making music with AI: The future of playlist curation
How does making money with a Spotify playlist work?
Building a successful Spotify playlist can be more than just a hobby; it can become a serious source of income. There are several ways to make money from a well-managed playlist. Below we discuss the main earning models.
1. Streaming revenue through proprietary music
If you create your own music and add it to your playlist, you can generate revenue through Spotify’s streaming model. Every time someone plays your song, you receive a small amount of money. On average, Spotify pays between €0.003 and €0.005 per stream.
This means you need millions of streams to generate a steady income. Suppose you earn €0.004 per stream, you would:
- 100,000 streams = earning €400
- 1,000,000 streams = earn €4,000
Want to put your own music on Spotify? Then use platforms such as:
These distribution services help you get music on Spotify and earn revenue per stream.
2. Sponsored placements (Playlist Placement).
Artists and record labels are always looking for ways to get their music noticed. Therefore, they often pay to get their songs into popular playlists. This is called Playlist Placement.
How much you can charge for a sponsored placement depends on the number of followers and engagement of your playlist. Here are some estimates:
- Small playlists (1,000 – 10,000 followers) → €50 – €150 per placement
- Medium-sized playlists (10,000 – 50,000 followers) → €150 – €500 per placement
- Large playlists (50,000+ followers) → €500 – €2,000 per placement
To receive sponsored numbers, you can register yourself on platforms such as:
On these platforms, artists can discover your playlist and pay to have their songs included in it.
3. Affiliate marketing and brand deals
Another way to make money with your playlist is through affiliate marketing and collaborations with brands. This involves promoting products or services in exchange for a commission per sale or a set amount.
Here are some popular affiliate marketing options for playlist curators:
- Spotify Premium referrals – You can encourage people to try Spotify Premium through affiliate links from Spotify’s Partner Program.
- Music-related gadgets – Promote products such as headphones and speakers through platforms such as Bol.com Partner Program or Amazon Associates.
- Merchandise from artists – You can add links to official merchandise through platforms such as Merchbar or Bandcamp.
By strategically placing affiliate links in your playlist description, on your social media or in a blog, you can generate additional revenue without relying directly on streaming.
4. Crowdfunding and donations
Some playlist curators get income through crowdfunding and donations. Fans who enjoy your music selections can support you financially through various platforms.
Popular donation and crowdfunding platforms are:
- Patreon – Offer exclusive playlists or early access for paying subscribers.
- Ko-Fi – Allow fans to make a one-time donation to support your work.
- PayPal Me – Share a direct donation link for people to support you.
Many curators combine this method with exclusive content, such as private playlists, live music curation or personalized music recommendations.
There are several ways to make money with a Spotify playlist. Depending on your strategy and engagement, you can build a nice side income or even a full-time income. The key to success lies in consistent promotion, collaboration with artists and clever use of revenue models.
How much can you really earn from a Spotify playlist?
The income you can earn from a Spotify playlist depends greatly on several factors, including the number of followers, listener engagement and the strategies you use to generate income. Some curators earn only a few tens per month, while others bring in thousands of dollars per month.
Here is an overview of potential revenue based on number of followers and engagement level:
1. Small playlists (0 – 5,000 followers) → €0 – €100 per month
- Playlists in this category often have limited reach and receive fewer streams per day.
- Revenue sources in this phase are usually minimal and consist mainly of affiliate links and small sponsored placements.
- If your own music is in the playlist, you can earn a small amount through Spotify’s streaming model, but earnings remain low.
- Some trustees start donation platforms such as Ko-Fi or Patreon, but the chances of a steady income are slim.
2. Medium-sized playlists (5,000 – 50,000 followers) → €100 – €2,000 per month
- This is the category in which playlist curators are starting to earn serious money.
- Revenue comes primarily from sponsored placements, affiliate marketing and brand deals.
- Labels and independent artists are willing to pay for a spot on a well-listened-to playlist, with prices ranging from €50 to €500 per placement, depending on engagement and niche.
- Playlists in this category already generate a significant number of streams per month, especially if they are regularly updated and promoted.
3. Large playlists (50,000+ followers) → €2,000 – €10,000+ per month
- This is the level at which some trustees earn a full-time income.
- Playlists with more than 50,000 followers can generate tens to hundreds of thousands of streams per month.
- Labels and artists often pay hundreds to thousands of dollars for sponsored placements in popular playlists.
- Affiliate marketing and brand deals can play a big role here, especially if you partner with companies that sell music-related products (for example, headphones, speakers or music services).
- Some curators combine their Spotify income with income from YouTube, blogs or social media, which can make their total monthly income even higher.
How some trustees generate full-time income
Large playlist curators can further expand their revenue model by:
- Manage multiple popular playlists, spreading their revenue sources.
- Build a brand around their playlists, including a website, newsletter and social media channels.
- Partnering with record labels, giving them regular new music promotions.
- Create exclusive premium playlists, accessible only to paying subscribers on platforms such as Patreon.
A good example is Filtr, a Sony Music brand that manages multiple successful playlists and collaborates with artists and brands.
The amount you can earn from a Spotify playlist varies greatly, but with the right strategy, you can build a stable source of income. The key to success lies in attracting listeners, actively managing and promoting your playlist and leveraging multiple sources of income.
How to create a Spotify playlist (step by step).
Before you can make money with a Spotify playlist, you must first create and optimize one. A well-crafted and well-promoted playlist is more likely to become popular and generate revenue. Below are the technical steps to create a successful Spotify playlist.
1. Create Spotify account
To create a playlist, you need a Spotify account. You can choose between a free or premium account:
- Free account → You can create playlists, but listens with ads and no offline mode.
- Premium account → No ads, offline listening and better sound quality.
Want to put your own music on Spotify and include it in your playlist? Then consider getting a Spotify for Artists account through Spotify for Artists. This will allow you to manage your music, view statistics and become more visible.
2. Create new playlist
Once you have an account, you can create a new playlist via the desktop app, mobile app or web player:
- Open Spotify (on your phone, computer or browser).
- Go to the Library and click on “New Playlist.
- Give your playlist a name that is appealing and search-friendly. Avoid generic names like “Good Music” and rather choose something specific like “Chill Vibes 2024” or “Best Workout Hits.”
- Add a description with relevant keywords. Describe the theme of your playlist and use keywords that people search for, such as:
- “The best deep house tracks for your summer nights ☀️”
- “Running with uptempo beats – Motivational workout playlist!”
- Click ‘Save’ and your playlist is ready to be filled with music.
How to create a Spotify playlist (Technical Steps).
Before you can make money with a Spotify playlist, you must first create and optimize one. A well-crafted and well-promoted playlist is more likely to become popular and generate revenue. Below are the technical steps to create a successful Spotify playlist.
1. Create Spotify account
To create a playlist, you need a Spotify account. You can choose between a free or premium account:
- Free account → You can create playlists, but listens with ads and no offline mode.
- Premium account → No ads, offline listening and better sound quality.
Want to put your own music on Spotify and include it in your playlist? Then consider getting a Spotify for Artists account through Spotify for Artists. This will allow you to manage your music, view statistics and become more visible.
2. Create new playlist
Once you have an account, you can create a new playlist via the desktop app, mobile app or web player:
- Open Spotify (on your phone, computer or browser).
- Go to the Library and click on “New Playlist.
- Give your playlist a name that is appealing and search-friendly. Avoid generic names like “Good Music” and rather choose something specific like “Chill Vibes 2024” or “Best Workout Hits.”
- Add a description with relevant keywords. Describe the theme of your playlist and use keywords that people search for, such as:
- “The best deep house tracks for your summer nights ☀️”
- “Running with uptempo beats – Motivational workout playlist!”
- Click ‘Save’ and your playlist is ready to be filled with music.
3. Set cover image
An attractive cover image helps attract more listeners. Follow these steps to create a good image:
- Use a square image of at least 1080×1080 pixels.
- Create a clean and recognizable visual with tools such as:
- Canva (free and easy to use)
- Adobe Photoshop (professional options)
- Snappa (for quick social media images)
- Avoid too much text on the cover; a clear and simple design works better.
- Upload your image via the Spotify desktop app by clicking on the three dots (…) and then choosing Edit.
4. Add music
Now it’s time to add music to your playlist. Make sure you have a balanced selection and keep these tips in mind:
- Search for songs that fit well with your theme. Use the search function to find artists, genres or mood.
- Provide a balanced mix of well-known and unfamiliar artists. Well-known songs attract listeners, but unfamiliar tracks keep the playlist fresh.
- Add at least 30-50 songs to begin with. This ensures a good listening experience without making the list too short or repetitive.
- Use AI and algorithm suggestions. Spotify offers suggestions based on the songs you add. Take advantage of this!
5. Optimize order and flow
A good playlist has a logical structure and keeps the listener engaged. Consider:
- Put popular and catchy songs at the beginning to captivate listeners right away.
- Keep a natural build-up in tempo and mood. For example, start with quiet songs, build up to energetic tracks and end with closing chill music.
- Use a “sandwich strategy. Place lesser-known songs between big hits so that they are listened to more.
6. Share and promote
Once your playlist is ready, you need to actively promote it to get more followers and streams. Here are some effective ways to grow your playlist:
- Share your playlist on social media
- TikTok & Instagram Reels → Create short videos promoting your playlist.
- Facebook groups & Reddit → Share your playlist in niche communities, such as r/SpotifyPlaylists.
- Pinterest & Twitter (X) → Post attractive visuals with a link to your playlist.
- Use a Spotify code
- Open your playlist, click on the three dots (—) and select Share > Show Spotify code.
- Share this QR code on social media or print it on promotional materials.
- Network with artists and influencers
- Ask artists whose songs you use if they would like to share your playlist.
- Work with music bloggers or TikTok creators who promote music.
- Make use of websites and blogs
- Write a short article about your playlist and post it on platforms such as Medium or your own blog.
- Submit your playlist to playlist-sharing websites such as PlaylistExchange.
7. Update regularly
An active playlist attracts more listeners and is better picked up by Spotify’s algorithm. Keep your playlist fresh and relevant by:
- Add new songs weekly and remove old, less-listened-to tracks.
- Respond to trends and seasonal music (e.g., summer hits, Christmas songs).
- Collect feedback from listeners and improve the list based on that feedback.
Spotify keeps playlists that are updated regularly more visible in search results and recommendations.
Making music with AI: The future of playlist curation
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the music industry. Where previously only professional musicians and producers could create music, now anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can generate their own tracks. This has major implications for playlist curators, who no longer have to rely on outside artists to fill their lists.
How does AI music production work?
AI music generators use advanced algorithms and machine learning to create unique compositions. These platforms analyze thousands of existing pieces of music and use patterns, chord progressions and rhythms to generate new tracks.
Some of the most popular AI music tools are:
- AIVA → An AI composer that can generate symphonic and electronic music, popular among filmmakers and game developers.
- Amper Music → A platform that allows users to create their own music with minimal effort, useful for content creators.
- OpenAI’s Jukebox → An AI model that not only generates instrumental music, but can also create vocals and complete song structures.
With these tools, anyone can generate a new track in just a few minutes, without any musical knowledge or experience.
Why is AI music of interest to playlist curators?
For playlist makers, AI music offers tremendous benefits. Here are some ways you can use AI music to improve your playlist strategy and generate revenue:
1. Add your own compositions to your playlist
Instead of just using music from other artists, AI allows you to create your own tracks and include them in your playlist. This means you receive streaming revenue per song played, without having to share rights with outside artists or labels.
2. Create unique and personalized sound
With AI music, you can create tracks that fit the exact mood and niche of your playlist. Want to create a lo-fi playlist? Or a playlist of soothing piano music? AI can help generate tracks that perfectly fit your target audience.
3. Save on licensing costs
Normally, playlist creators must consider copyrights and licenses when using certain music. AI-generated music is often copyright-free, especially if you created it yourself through platforms such as AIVA or Amper Music. This makes it possible to use music without risk of legal problems or claims.
4. Create fully automated revenue model
With AI music, playlist creators can build a fully automated revenue model. Imagine this: you generate AI compositions, add them to multiple Spotify playlists and generate passive income via streaming, without depending on artists or third-party labels.
Making music with AI: The future of playlist curation
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the music industry. Where previously only professional musicians and producers could create music, now anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can generate their own tracks. This has major implications for playlist curators, who no longer have to rely on outside artists to fill their lists.
How does AI music production work?
AI music generators use advanced algorithms and machine learning to create unique compositions. These platforms analyze thousands of existing pieces of music and use patterns, chord progressions and rhythms to generate new tracks.
Some of the most popular AI music tools are:
- AIVA → An AI composer that can generate symphonic and electronic music, popular among filmmakers and game developers.
- Amper Music → A platform that allows users to create their own music with minimal effort, useful for content creators.
- OpenAI’s Jukebox → An AI model that not only generates instrumental music, but can also create vocals and complete song structures.
With these tools, anyone can generate a new track in just a few minutes, without any musical knowledge or experience.
Why is AI music of interest to playlist curators?
For playlist makers, AI music offers tremendous benefits. Here are some ways you can use AI music to improve your playlist strategy and generate revenue:
1. Add your own compositions to your playlist
Instead of just using music from other artists, AI allows you to create your own tracks and include them in your playlist. This means you receive streaming revenue per song played, without having to share rights with outside artists or labels.
2. Create unique and personalized sound
With AI music, you can create tracks that fit the exact mood and niche of your playlist. Want to create a lo-fi playlist? Or a playlist of soothing piano music? AI can help generate tracks that perfectly fit your target audience.
3. Save on licensing costs
Normally, playlist creators must consider copyrights and licenses when using certain music. AI-generated music is often copyright-free, especially if you created it yourself through platforms such as AIVA or Amper Music. This makes it possible to use music without risk of legal problems or claims.
4. Create fully automated revenue model
With AI music, playlist creators can build a fully automated revenue model. Imagine this: you generate AI compositions, add them to multiple Spotify playlists and generate passive income via streaming, without depending on artists or third-party labels.
How can you integrate AI music into your Spotify strategy?
Want to start using AI music to enhance your playlist? Then follow these steps:
- Choose an AI music platform → Use one of the above tools to generate tracks.
- Edit and optimize the music → Use software such as GarageBand, FL Studio or Ableton Live to refine the tracks and make them sound professional.
- Upload your music to Spotify → Platforms such as DistroKid, TuneCore or CD Baby allow you to post your AI music to Spotify.
- Add your own music to your playlist → Once your track is available on Spotify, you can add it to your own playlists.
- Actively promote your playlist → Use social media, blogs and other channels to attract listeners and get your AI-generated music more streams.
Making music with AI: The future of playlist curation
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the music industry. Where previously only professional musicians and producers could create music, now anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can generate their own tracks. This has major implications for playlist curators, who no longer have to rely on outside artists to fill their lists.
How does AI music production work?
AI music generators use advanced algorithms and machine learning to create unique compositions. These platforms analyze thousands of existing pieces of music and use patterns, chord progressions and rhythms to generate new tracks.
Some of the most popular AI music tools are:
- AIVA → An AI composer that can generate symphonic and electronic music, popular among filmmakers and game developers.
- Amper Music → A platform that allows users to create their own music with minimal effort, useful for content creators.
- OpenAI’s Jukebox → An AI model that not only generates instrumental music, but can also create vocals and complete song structures.
With these tools, anyone can generate a new track in just a few minutes, without any musical knowledge or experience.
Why is AI music of interest to playlist curators?
For playlist makers, AI music offers tremendous benefits. Here are some ways you can use AI music to improve your playlist strategy and generate revenue:
1. Add your own compositions to your playlist
Instead of just using music from other artists, AI allows you to create your own tracks and include them in your playlist. This means you receive streaming revenue per song played, without having to share rights with outside artists or labels.
2. Create unique and personalized sound
With AI music, you can create tracks that fit the exact mood and niche of your playlist. Want to create a lo-fi playlist? Or a playlist of soothing piano music? AI can help generate tracks that perfectly fit your target audience.
3. Save on licensing costs
Normally, playlist creators must consider copyrights and licenses when using certain music. AI-generated music is often copyright-free, especially if you created it yourself through platforms such as AIVA or Amper Music. This makes it possible to use music without risk of legal problems or claims.
4. Create fully automated revenue model
With AI music, playlist creators can build a fully automated revenue model. Imagine this: you generate AI compositions, add them to multiple Spotify playlists and generate passive income via streaming, without depending on artists or third-party labels.
How can you integrate AI music into your Spotify strategy?
Want to start using AI music to enhance your playlist? Then follow these steps:
- Choose an AI music platform → Use one of the above tools to generate tracks.
- Edit and optimize the music → Use software such as GarageBand, FL Studio or Ableton Live to refine the tracks and make them sound professional.
- Upload your music to Spotify → Platforms such as DistroKid, TuneCore or CD Baby allow you to post your AI music to Spotify.
- Add your own music to your playlist → Once your track is available on Spotify, you can add it to your own playlists.
- Actively promote your playlist → Use social media, blogs and other channels to attract listeners and get your AI-generated music more streams.
Future Vision: Will AI become the standard in the music industry?
Although AI music is still in its early stages, it is growing rapidly and is increasingly being used by artists, producers and content creators. Major companies such as Sony and Google are already investing in AI music technologies, indicating that this is not a temporary hype but a lasting trend.
For playlist curators, AI opens the door to a new era in which they not only manage lists, but also create original music and generate revenue independently.
Want to be the first in your niche to use AI music? Start experimenting today and find out how to take your playlists to the next level! 🚀🎵
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