Spotify just dropped their comprehensive guide on developing super listeners, the 2% of monthly listeners who drive 18% of artist streams and 50% of their ticket sales. This data is interesting. However, the real insight is in how to leverage the Spotify ecosystem strategically.

Editorial and algorithmic playlisting doesn’t move the needle like it used to, but that misses the point, playlisting is a top-of-funnel tool within Spotify’s system that should continue being used to nurture future superfans. Artists and their partners should continue pitching releases and leveraging Discovery Mode when and where appropriate.

When building a marketing strategy for new releases artists and their team should dive deep into the artist’s Spotify for Artist portal and pay particular attention to the Source of Stream data that’s available and leverage that information to craft targeted content and CTAs for fans already in the Spotify ecosystem.

Once the record is scheduled for release and its roll-out is underway measure what matters, track the effectiveness of these efforts through the Release Engagement metrics available with Spotify for Artist. In addition to leveraging the analytics keep fans engaged before, in-between and after releases by uploading Clips, refreshing profile pictures and consistently dropping new music. Add your Spotify Countdown pages in your link-in-bio to feed Spotify fresher data that your team can analyze to optimize future releases.

Most artists chase playlist placement for vanity metrics. Smart artists use playlisting to build superfan funnels.