How does Spotify actually discover new artists? After years of releasing music independently and eventually having one of my own songs discovered without an editorial pitch, I started looking more closely at how Spotify editorial playlists, recommendations and real listener behavior work together.

I thought Spotify editorial consideration ended on release day until my song was added to an editorial playlist without ever being pitched. Here's what I learned about how Spotify editors can discover music after it's already released.

I've been reading about Spotify editorial playlists since I was fifteen. I never once imagined the song that would finally land on one would be the one I didn't pitch at all.