BUILD YOUR FANBASE WITH SPOTIFY’S DISCOVERY MODE
We’ve heard from our artists that one of the hardest parts of making music is getting it heard. To help make it a little easier to get your music out there as a UnitedMasters artist, we’re partnering with Spotify to enable those who meet the eligibility criteria to enroll their tracks in Spotify’s Discovery Mode. Moving forward, Spotify will notify you if you have eligible tracks so you can set up Discovery Mode campaigns for the following month.
This feature will only be available for UnitedMasters SELECT and PARTNER artists after June 15th, 2023. If you’re not a SELECT artist yet, join here so you can continue to access this feature when you meet the eligibility requirements.
What is Discovery Mode, and how does it work?
Spotify's Discovery Mode can help give your music a better chance of reaching new fans. When you enable eligible tracks to be included in Discovery Mode, Spotify increases the likelihood (but does not guarantee) that a track will be recommended to listeners in Radio and Autoplay sessions, where listeners who are already interested in music similar to yours are listening.
With Radio, listeners get a list of songs based on a specific artist, album, or playlist of their choosing. Radio playlists are updated regularly. Autoplay is a Spotify feature that continues to play music right after a listener’s selected album, playlist, or song ends.
If listeners show a positive response to your track, meaning they add it to their own playlists, save it, or listen to it multiple times, Spotify will continue to boost the track's visibility. This can help lead to more exposure, more streams, and more fans.
How will I know if I’m eligible to create Discovery Mode campaigns in Spotify for Artists?
Here’s the eligibility criteria for using Discovery Mode. You’ll receive an email from Spotify once you’re eligible to set up a Discovery Mode campaign in Spotify for Artists for tracks you’ve distributed through UnitedMasters. Here’s what else you can do to prepare:
Confirm that the email address you have on file in Spotify for Artists is up to date so you can get communications about Discovery Mode. If you need help updating your email, check this out.
Only members of your artist team who have Admin and Editor access in Spotify for Artists will be able to set up Discovery Mode campaigns. Anyone on your artist team, including those who have Reader access, will be able to view Discovery Mode performance reports. Get your team's access levels set up how you see fit to manage your campaigns.
Spotify for Artist users can also express interest in Discovery Mode directly with Spotify through this form.
Do I have to enroll in Discovery Mode?
This program is optional, but it’s a great tool to grow your fanbase without needing an upfront budget. You’ll have control over the eligible tracks you want to include in the program, and get detailed analytics on how they’re performing so you can make informed decisions on which tracks you want to include in your next Discovery Mode campaign.
What is Discovery Mode’s cost?
Discovery Mode doesn’t require an upfront budget. Instead, a 30% commission is applied by Spotify to recording royalties generated from all streams of selected songs in Discovery Mode contexts - Spotify Radio and Autoplay. All other streams of selected songs outside of Spotify Radio and Autoplay remain commission-free.
At UnitedMasters, we're committed to providing artists with the tools they need to reach new audiences and build their fanbase. If you're eligible, be sure to check this program out. If you feel it’s right for your goals you can head directly to your Spotify for Artists Campaigns tab to manage your own Discovery Mode campaigns once Spotify gives you access. For more on how to set up Discovery Mode for your eligible tracks, check out Spotify’s Discovery Mode FAQ.
