Alex is Director of Strategy at Playlist Push. He formerly managed the Billboard charting group Radical Something, wrote for the Complex Media Network, and has built several brands.
Yes, you can message people on Spotify. This 2026 guide explains how Spotify Messages works, who you can DM, how to start a group chat, and what the feature means for artists.
Can full-length videos on Spotify help you get more streams? According to Spotify's data, the answer is yes. The company recently expanded its video offering by allowing eligible artists to upload full-length videos directly through Spotify for Artists. Instead of relying solely on distributors or label partners, many independent artists can now manage videos themselves. This is more than another feature update. It’s part of Spotify’s larger strategy to keep fans engaged inside the platform,
Updated for 2026 Independent artists today have more options than ever to access upfront capital without signing traditional label deals. One of the most common forms of independent artist funding is the music advance - also referred to as a music loan, artist advance, or royalty advance. These financing tools allow artists to obtain upfront funding based on their streaming performance and projected royalty income. This guide explains what a music advance is, how they work, and provides an ov
Last Updated: June 2026 If you’ve ever wondered how many Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or other streams it takes to earn a Gold or Platinum record, you’re not alone. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awards Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum, and Diamond certifications based on certification units, not simply raw stream counts. Those units combine qualifying album sales, digital downloads, and eligible on-demand audio and video streams into a single total.
TikTok has become one of the most powerful platforms for music discovery, helping independent artists and major-label musicians reach new audiences every day. If your music is available on TikTok, applying for a TikTok Artist Account can unlock features designed specifically for musicians. From the Music Tab and New Release Highlights to artist profile tools that make your catalog easier to discover, a TikTok Artist Account can help you create a more professional presence and connect fans direc
TikTok verification has become one of the strongest trust signals for creators, musicians, influencers, and brands in 2026. The blue verified badge helps confirm authenticity, improve credibility, and build trust with both viewers and the TikTok algorithm. While verification does not guarantee viral growth, it can help legitimate creators stand out and protect their identity from impersonators. In this guide, you’ll learn: * How TikTok verification works * TikTok verification requirements
Updated: April 17, 2026 Getting views on TikTok in 2026 is no longer about luck—or even just “going viral.” The platform has evolved into a search-driven discovery engine powered by retention, user behavior, and content classification. If you want more views, you need to optimize for two systems at the same time: * The viewer (attention, curiosity, emotion) * The algorithm (indexing, retention, engagement signals) This guide breaks down exactly how TikTok works in 2026—and how to use tha
Updated for 2026 with Creator Rewards Program rates, monetization changes, and realistic influencer income ranges. If you’re trying to estimate how much money TikTok creators earn in 2026, this calculator and guide will help. TikTok payouts have changed significantly over the past few years. The old TikTok Creator Fund paid extremely low rates for many creators. TikTok has now shifted heavily toward the Creator Rewards Program, longer-form content, affiliate revenue, TikTok Shop commissions, s
Updated for 2026. Having a strategy for getting your songs on Apple Music playlists is a must for any serious artist. With over 108 million subscribers, Apple Music is the 2nd largest streaming platform. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you land a spot on Apple Music playlists and grow your audience. 1. Understand the Types of Playlists Apple Music offers several types of playlists, each with unique benefits for artists: * Editorial Playlists: Curated by Apple Music’s in-house editors
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,
Spotify recently launched official music videos giving artists a powerful new way to connect with fans while they listen to your music. The feature is currently in beta and expanding across global markets, with Premium users in the U.S. and Canada already seeing “Switch to video” options on select releases. In this guide, you’ll learn how to upload music videos to Spotify, who’s eligible, technical requirements to know, and best practices to get the most out of this feature as an independent a
1) Go on Offense ASAP (While everyone else is slacking) At the beginning of the year, you have the opportunity to go on offense while most artists are procrastinating in the aftermath of the holidays. While they repeat the crucial mistake of waiting to take action, you can be off and running - getting a big head start. We see it every year, savvy artists & musicians enter January with a release schedule, budget, and promotion plan dialed. Meanwhile, their competition spends January and Febru
This step-by-step guide explains how to connect your Spotify account to ChatGPT, how the integration works, and why this new feature matters for independent artists and playlist curators. Step 1: Connect Your Spotify Account to ChatGPT Here’s how to get started: 1) Open ChatGPT on web, iOS, or Android. 2) The first time you mention Spotify, ChatGPT will show a connection prompt. 3) Tap “Continue" to Connect Spotify to ChatGPT 4) Log in with your Spotify credentials and approve the integ
While the initial TikTok craze of the pandemic has passed, new data shows that the app remains the #1 platform for driving streams, building superfans, and launching hit songs. The latest TikTok x Luminate Music Impact Report proves that TikTok continues to be a powerhouse for independent artists looking to promote new music and grow their fanbases. TikTok Leads Global Music Discovery TikTok remains the #1 place where fans discover new music. According to the report: * U.S. TikTok users ar
TikTok recently launched a powerful new platform called TikTok for Artists, giving musicians free tools to promote their music, track performance, and drive results. It's basically TikTok's version of Spotify for Artists. In this post, we’ll break down how TikTok for Artists works, why it matters for independent musicians, and how you can use it to grow your fanbase. What Is TikTok for Artists? TikTok for Artists (launched June 2025) is a free, all-in-one platform that provides musicians w
Getting your music on Spotify playlists requires more than just great songs. Your cover art and visual branding play a crucial role in playlist curator decisions, often determining whether your track gets listened to or skipped entirely. In this guide, we'll explain how visual elements impact playlist placements and share proven strategies to improve your music promotion success. Why Cover Art Matters for Playlist Placement Spotify playlist curators receive an overwhelming amount of submiss
