What Is a Release Radar?
Release Radar is a personalized Spotify playlist updated every Friday that features new releases from artists a listener follows or has shown interest in. It's one of Spotify's most powerful discovery tools.
Release Radar is generated algorithmically for every Spotify listener. It includes new releases from artists they follow, artists they've recently listened to, and artists similar to their listening habits. Getting on your fans' Release Radar means automatic exposure without any playlist pitching.
The key to Release Radar is engagement signals. Spotify looks at: how many people follow you, how many saved your previous releases, how many added your tracks to playlists, and how quickly fans engage with your new release on drop day.
This is exactly why pre-saves are so valuable — they create an immediate surge of saves and plays on release day, which signals to Spotify's algorithm that your release is worth recommending. The more pre-saves, the more Release Radars you appear on.
How Artlink Helps You Reach More Release Radars
- Pre-save campaigns drive day-one saves that directly boost Release Radar placement
- Lifetime pre-saves mean your most dedicated fans auto-save every release
- Smart links make it effortless for fans to find and save your music on Spotify
- Analytics help you understand which promotion channels drive the most saves
- Email notifications on release day remind pre-savers to stream immediately
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay to get on Release Radar?
No. Release Radar is entirely algorithmic — you can't pay for placement. The best strategy is to build genuine fan engagement through pre-saves, consistent releases, and encouraging followers to save your music.
When does Release Radar update?
Release Radar updates every Friday for each listener. Releasing your music on Fridays (the standard new music release day) maximizes your chances of appearing on that week's Release Radar.