Spotify Discovery Mode is an audience development tool that helps you reach new listeners and grow your fanbase, with no upfront budget required. Discovery Mode can help drive artist and track discovery, including downstream engagement like track saves, playlist adds, and follows.
Through TuneCore Accelerator, track participation is optimized using proprietary catalog technology rather than manual selection. If one of your tracks is activated in Discovery Mode, Spotify adds this as a signal within its recommendation systems in all Discovery Mode contexts.
To learn more about Spotify Discovery Mode, click on a question listed below (or just keep scrolling)!
How does Spotify Discovery Mode work?
How do I get access to Spotify Discovery Mode?
How much does Spotify Discovery Mode cost?
How are my tracks selected for Discovery Mode?
Where can I see my Spotify Discovery Mode uplift?
Why was my track activated last month but not this month?
How do I opt out of Spotify Discovery Mode?
How does Spotify Discovery Mode work?
According to Spotify's FAQ about how their recommendations work, Discovery Mode gives artists and labels the opportunity to identify songs that are a priority for them, and Spotify's system will add that signal to the algorithms that determine the content of personalized listening sessions.
With TuneCore Accelerator, track activation is continuously optimized using catalog performance data. If your track is activated in a Discovery Mode campaign, a signal is added to Spotify's existing recommendation systems, but it does not replace them. Spotify only recommends songs when there is a high probability that listeners will enjoy them. Listener engagement remains the primary driver of recommendations. Participation increases the likelihood of recommendation in eligible contexts, but does not guarantee placement.
How do I get access to Spotify Discovery Mode?
All TuneCore artists have access to Spotify Discovery Mode through TuneCore Accelerator. If you’ve already opted in to TuneCore Accelerator, you’re all set! To opt in to TuneCore Accelerator, head to the bottom of your TuneCore dashboard and click "Learn More" in the TuneCore Accelerator section!
As long as you are opted in to TuneCore Accelerator, your releases are automatically evaluated for potential Spotify Discovery Mode participation! Please note that activation is not guaranteed because tracks are evaluated based on performance signals and platform criteria.
How much does Spotify Discovery Mode 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. All other streams of selected songs outside of Spotify Discovery Mode Contexts remain commission-free.
TuneCore uses advanced technology to scan your entire catalog and activate all of the tracks where it predicts potential to perform well, offsetting the 30% commission from Spotify. Tracks are activated when participation is expected to generate incremental growth, and removed when performance trends indicate stronger results outside the program.
For Spotify Discovery Mode Activations, you'll keep 100% of your Spotify net royalties, except for streams generated in Spotify Discovery Mode contexts. For those streams only, a 20% commission is applied, but only while your track is activated. If your track isn't being promoted, no commission applies. For streams not directly resulting from promotion, no commission applies. You always retain full ownership of your music.
In line with the expected 2-month sales posting delay, the earliest sales report where this commission will be shown is the March 2024 sales posting (for January 2024 Radio and Autoplay streams). Any negative Spotify numbers on your downloadable sales reports reflect this information.
How are my tracks selected for Discovery Mode?
As part of the Believe group, TuneCore uses Believe’s track selection technology to help take the guesswork out of picking your tracks. Our data-driven system analyzes performance signals across your entire catalog (not just new releases) to identify tracks most likely to drive incremental growth. Tracks are activated strategically to maximize discovery, growth, and earnings over time. Underperforming tracks are removed to protect revenue.
Where can I see my Spotify Discovery Mode uplift?
With TuneCore Accelerator, you get access to a dedicated dashboard to view your analytics, making everything effortless for you. The first program added to the dashboard is Spotify Discovery Mode, and it breaks down your lifetime, monthly, and track-level metrics for releases selected for the program.
You can track which of your songs have been selected by Spotify directly in the TuneCore Accelerator Dashboard, how many autoplay and radio streams they’ve gained, and the overall impact of TuneCore Accelerator on your streams. You’ll also see your streams in your Advanced Trends & Analytics dashboard.
Why was my track activated last month but not this month?
Each month, based on the previous month’s campaign, TuneCore Accelerator identifies and removes tracks we anticipate will be more profitable outside the program next month.
How do I opt out of Spotify Discovery Mode?
Please note: Spotify Discovery Mode is a program within TuneCore Accelerator. You cannot opt out of any individual tools within TuneCore Accelerator. When you opt out of the program, you’ll lose access to all TuneCore Accelerator services.
You can opt out anytime by clicking "Learn More" under the TuneCore Accelerator section at the bottom of your TuneCore dashboard! If you opt out, you cannot opt back in for 24 hours.
Additionally, we'd like to make sure you know that tracks are selected ahead of time for the next month's campaign. If you opt out after your tracks were already selected for the next month's campaign (ex. March), they will be excluded from the campaigns starting the month after (ex. April).