So, you’ve got your track polished, mastered, and ready to roll, but here’s the deal, just dropping it on Spotify or SoundCloud ain’t gonna cut it. The music industry today is like a giant jungle, and if you wanna stand out, you need some serious firepower in your promotion game. That’s where music promotion platforms come in, giving you direct access to curators, playlists, blogs, TikTok influencers, and sometimes even labels, especially record labels looking for new talent. But here’s the thing: not all promo services are built the same. Some are fire, others can feel like you just threw cash into the void.
In this breakdown, I’m diving into four heavy hitters in the online music promotion world: SubmitHub, One Submit, Playlist Push, and SoundCampaign. We’ll talk about what’s hot, what’s not, and I’ll drop final ratings for each so you know where your promo dollars are best spent. It’s important to look at the promises these platforms make and whether they actually deliver, since your trust and investment depend on services fulfilling what they claim.
Introduction to Music Promotion
Let’s be real: making great music is only half the battle. Music promotion mastery has become essential for artists who want their tracks to find listeners in today’s streaming-first environment. Online music promotion services serve as the essential tool for independent artists and major labels who want to overcome industry competition. Music promotion services enable artists to distribute their music across streaming platforms while attracting new listeners who become loyal fans. The correct services make all the difference for musicians at any level because they determine whether your music will disappear in obscurity or achieve global playlist success. The bottom line?
If you want to grow your audience and make your mark, you can’t ignore the power of online music promotion platforms.
Overview of Music Promotion Services
So, what exactly do music promotion services do? These platforms function as universal entry points which provide artists with access to playlist consideration and editorial playlists and multi-platform exposure. The music promotion platforms Playlist Push and One Submit exist to connect independent artists with Spotify playlist curators and YouTube tastemakers and TikTok influencers. Artists can use these platforms to promote their music across different Spotify playlists and other platforms, which can dramatically increases their chances of playlist placement.
Understanding Playlist Curators
The success of every killer playlist depends on a curator who holds the power to determine which songs will succeed or fail. The streaming world relies on playlist curators to select which songs will join their playlists while others remain unselected. Playlist curators are like the gate keeps, they determine which songs will be heard by listeners and which artists are worth listening to. Your song needs the right curators to notice it if you want to stand out because they play a crucial role in your promotion strategy.
Role of Playlist Curators in Music Promotion
Music promotion depends heavily on playlist curators who work behind the scenes to promote music. Playlist curators dedicate their time to search for fresh music while reviewing submissions to discover tracks which match their style and appeal to their listeners. Your music gains exposure to new listeners through playlist additions because these fans would not have discovered your music otherwise. A popular Spotify playlist feature results in rapid stream growth alongside increased followers and expanding fanbase development. Music curators share feedback about your music which provides you with valuable insights to enhance your sound quality before your next release. Through their work playlist curators connect artists with listeners to create new musical directions in the industry.
SubmitHub Review: The OG of Online Submissions
SubmitHub has been around for a while and, honestly, it’s one of the first names that comes up when you say playlist submission. The platform was established by Jason Grishkoff to provide indie artists with a platform to get their music heard without having to beg friends on Facebook or send 500 cold emails. SubmitHub allows artists to directly submit their tracks to playlist curators, blogs and influencers, making the process of submitting music more efficient. Artists need to go through a list of curators and decide which one is suitable for their music.
Pros of SubmitHub
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Transparency game is strong. You buy credits, submit to curators, and if they don’t even listen, you get your credit back. No shady stuff.
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Affordable entry point. You can literally start with just a couple of bucks and test the waters. Premium credits get you quicker responses.
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Fast feedback. Usually, within 48 hours you’ll know if your track made the cut, and you receive curators feedback that can help you improve your music promotion. Artists also get a review of their track from curators, providing valuable insights.
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Decent variety of curators. Blogs, Spotify playlists, YouTube channels, even influencers. A little bit of everything.
Cons of SubmitHub
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Acceptance rates can be brutal. We’re talking around 10-20%. Don’t be shocked if you get a lot of rejections.
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Not all curators deliver real value. Some playlists are tiny, inactive, or not legit, so even if you land a placement, you may see only a handful of streams. Always check which playlists added your track as a key metric to evaluate campaign success.
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It can feel like a lottery. Sometimes you’ll strike gold, but more often than not it’s trial and error.
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It takes time to create a campaign. Artists need to research each curator and it could be time consuming.
Final Rating for SubmitHub: 6/10
It’s affordable, transparent, and great for the independent artist testing the waters, but results vary wildly depending on who you hit up. SubmitHub can also be a useful tool as part of a broader artist development strategy, helping artists refine their approach and grow their audience.
One Submit Review: The All-In-One Powerhouse
One Submit is like that new kid in school who shows up with fresh sneakers, a slick style, and suddenly everyone’s paying attention. It’s a newer platform compared to SubmitHub, but it’s built with a wider vision. As a music promotion service, One Submit spreads your music across multiple curators from different platforms, such as Spotify playlist promotion, YouTube music channels, blogs, TikTok influencers, music magazines, online radio stations and more. The platform allows you to target specific genres, ensuring your music reaches the right curators and audiences for optimal results.
Pros of One Submit
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Multi-platform reach. You’re not just stuck with Spotify playlists. One Submit also offers Spotify promotion services, and you can hit up YouTube channels, blogs, TikTok influencers, and even radio stations.
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Quality control. They’re picky with curators, meaning they actually check if a playlist is real, active, and not some bot farm.
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Every submission gets reviewed. No ghosting here. If curators don’t respond within 10 days, you get your money back.
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Anti-fraud detection. They monitor for fake streams, which helps protect your rep and Spotify stats. Maintaining a legitimate account is crucial, as suspicious activity can lead to account issues or bans. If you find non organic playlists, they will refund your submission, no questions asked.
Cons of One Submit
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Pricing is a bit higher. You’ll need to pay a little more compared to SubmitHub, as One Submit operates on a paid campaign model.
Final Rating for One Submit: 8.5/10
Honestly, this one’s my favorite for serious artists who want cross-platform exposure for their new music. It costs a bit more, but if you’re ready to invest and have a dedicated marketing budget, you’ll get more bang for your buck. Plus, One Submit is a great option to consider for ongoing promotion and planning for your future releases.
Playlist Push Review: The Premium Player
If SubmitHub is like the budget airline of music promotion and One Submit is like a stylish boutique service, Playlist Push is more like first-class seats on an expensive airline. It’s polished, it’s targeted, and it comes with a premium price tag. Playlist Push focuses on getting your music onto curated playlists, which are carefully selected and maintained by a playlist curator to ensure your tracks reach engaged listeners.
Pros of Playlist Push
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Strong vetting process. They check curators carefully, so you’re less likely to end up on shady playlists.
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Easy setup. Their system lets you target by genre, vibe, and similar artists, and you can listen to an example of each genre or track to help guide your selection. Playlist Push also adds a personal touch by connecting artists with curators through more personalized outreach.
Cons of Playlist Push
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Expensive. Campaigns usually start at $150 and can easily run into several hundred bucks. TikTok campaigns can cost even more.
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Campaign results focus on streams generated. The main metric for evaluating success is the number of streams generated from playlist placements, which may not always reflect true listener engagement if placements are not high quality.
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Better for artists with some traction. If you’re brand new and broke, this might not be worth the spend.
Final Rating for Playlist Push: 7/10
It’s high quality, but also high cost. Best for musicians who already have a foundation and are ready to scale. Playlist Push excels at promoting artists’ music, making it ideal for those seeking to increase their visibility and reach new audiences.
SoundCampaign: The Quiet Underdog
SoundCampaign is not as loud on the scene as the other platforms, but it’s slowly making a name for itself. It focuses heavily on playlist placement, with a strong Spotify angle, helping you promote your music and support your new releases.
Pros of SoundCampaign
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Genre-focused. They match your music with curators who actually dig your style.
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Active playlists. They promise placements on playlists that have genuine activity, not ghost towns.
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Simple interface. Easy to use, no confusing steps.
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Tips for artists: To get the most out of SoundCampaign, promote your music on blogs, target playlist curators who fit your genre, and follow up with curators for feedback.
Cons of SoundCampaign
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Limited reach. Unlike One Submit, you don’t get access to YouTube channels, TikTok influencers, or blogs.
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Mixed reviews. Some artists say they got value, others say results were just “meh.” However, many appreciate the feedback from curators as a valuable part of the process.
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Less proven. Not as many testimonials or success stories compared to the bigger names.
Final Rating for SoundCampaign: 7/10
It’s a decent option if you’re strictly focused on Spotify, with the potential to increase your stream count, but it doesn’t offer much else in terms of multi-channel promotion.
SoundCampaign is particularly suited for independent artists who want to focus on making music while leaving promotion and stream growth to a dedicated service.
Comparison and Other Services
With so many music promotion services out there, it can be tough to know where to start to submit tracks. Each service has its own strengths, features, and approach to helping artists promote their music. Whether you’re looking for a service that specializes in playlist placements, offers multi-platform promotion, or provides hands-on support, it’s important to weigh your options and choose the right fit for your goals. The right promotion service can help you reach new listeners, grow your audience, and take your music career to the next level.
Comparing Music Promotion Platforms
When it comes to choosing between music promotion platforms like Playlist Push and One Submit, it’s all about finding the right match for your needs. Playlist Push uses smart algorithms to connect your songs with the perfect playlists and curators, making sure your music lands in front of active listeners who are likely to become real fans. On the other hand, One Submit gives you the flexibility to submit your music to multiple platforms—Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, and more—maximizing your chances of getting playlist adds and genuine engagement. Both services are designed to help artists promote their music, but they take different routes to get you there. The key is to look for a platform that not only gets your tracks on playlists, but also helps you build a loyal fanbase and generate real streams. At the end of the day, the best promotion service is the one that delivers results, supports your growth, and helps you connect with new fans across the music world.