Spotify has rolled out Discovery Mode, a strategic promotional tool built for artists and labels to signal which tracks they want prioritized in certain listening sessions. The aim: get music in front of listeners when they’re most receptive to discovering new artists. Spotify for Artists+Spotify
How Discovery Mode Works
- Signal priority: Artists can tag one or more tracks as “priority” for Spotify’s algorithmic mixes, radio, and autoplay contexts.
- No upfront cost: Instead of paying, Spotify takes a 30% commission on recording royalties for streams served in Discovery Mode contexts (not across all streams).
- Opt-in monthly: Artists choose which tracks participate each month.
Eligibility Requirements
Not all artists can access Discovery Mode right now, it’s still in beta. Here are some of the requirements Spotify publishes:
- The track must have been on Spotify at least 30 days.
- It must have garnered at least 20 streams in Discovery Mode contexts over the last 28 days.
- The artist/team must satisfy Spotify’s monetization eligibility.
When you have access, you’ll see a Discovery Mode section under the Campaigns tab in Spotify for Artists.
Why Discovery Mode Matters
- Better exposure: It pushes tracks into algorithm-driven playlists when listeners are open to new music.
- Trade-off: You accept lower returns (via 30% commission on selected streams) in exchange for that exposure.
- Skepticism: Some see it as akin to payola, offering exposure in exchange for accepting lower royalties.
Spotify points out that Discovery Mode does not guarantee success but it offers an option for artists to influence algorithmic reach in an optimized way.
