Why Your Music Isn't Getting Playlisted: The 2:30 Track Secret

I spend a lot of my time on the other side of the fence. Besides producing, mixing and mastering, I’m a playlist curator on Playlist Push, which is the largest network out there. Trust me, I get hundreds of submissions, and I often have to reject genuinely good tracks for one simple reason: they’re too long. When a 5-minute track takes up the space of two other artists, it’s a tough choice, and usually, length is the dealbreaker.

Keep It Short and Sweet

Here’s the thing: in the streaming world, shorter is almost always better. The sweet spot for getting a curator’s attention and landing on a big playlist is between 2 and 3 minutes. Think about it from a listener’s perspective. If they love your track, they’ll add it to their library and listen to it on repeat. A 2:30 song played twice just earned you double the streams for the same amount of a listener’s time. This kind of engagement is exactly what the Spotify algorithm loves to see. If you’re not sure how to trim your arrangements without losing the vibe, a track consultation can help pinpoint what to cut.

If you’re ready to get your music heard by real listeners and boost your streams, our playlist promotion service puts your track where curators—and audiences—are looking.

Quality is Non-Negotiable

But length is only half the battle. As a curator, I can tell within 15 seconds if a track is professionally produced. If the kick drum is muddy or the synths are clashing, it’s an instant skip. We listen to so much music that anything less than perfect just gets lost in the noise. Whether you’re working in Ableton Live or another DAW, using tools like FabFilter Pro-Q or U-HE Diva means nothing if the final mix isn’t balanced and clean. This is precisely why 99% of successful artists don’t finish tracks themselves; they rely on pros. When you’re ready to compete, professional mixing is the only way forward.

Focus On Your Strength: Creativity

Your job is to write a killer tune. My job is to make it sound incredible everywhere, from laptop speakers to a club system. Don’t get bogged down trying to be an expert at everything. Focus on your composition and your unique sound. That’s your strength.

When it’s time to get your music ready for the world, you need a professional touch to make it stand out. Let me handle the technical details so your track is ready to compete with the biggest releases. Bring your vision to life with mixing starting @ only €232.