With over 626 million active users worldwide, Spotify is one of the top music streaming platforms. As of 2024, over 200,000 artists have over 10,000 monthly listeners, a milestone many aim for to gain more visibility and streams.
But how many monthly listeners should you have to be considered successful? In this guide, we'll look at the importance of monthly listeners and how you can grow your presence on Spotify.
Monthly listeners on Spotify are the number of unique people who listen to your music over 28 days. This is important because it shows how many people regularly engage with your music. The more monthly listeners you have, the higher your chances of getting more visibility and playlist features and gaining new fans.
There’s no single answer to this question, as each artist's success on Spotify can vary. However, here’s a simple breakdown of what different listener numbers usually mean:
This number is pretty common for a new or emerging artist. It shows that you're gaining some traction, but there’s still work to expand your fanbase. Focus on promotion and connecting with your listeners.
Many independent artists have started seeing more consistent streams and recognition in this range. If you’re in this category, you're on your way to building a loyal audience. With some additional promotion, you can increase your reach even further.
Hitting this milestone is a strong indicator of success, as it places you among the more visible indie artists. At this level, you’re more likely to get noticed by playlist curators and influencers, which can lead to greater exposure and more opportunities.
With this number, you're becoming a well-known artist in your genre. You’re attracting more organic listeners and likely seeing steady growth. This range can open doors to collaborations, brand deals, and touring opportunities.
If you have over 100,000 monthly listeners, you're among the top artists on Spotify. This usually means you have strong support from major labels or have gained much popularity. You can expect more attention from industry professionals and potential opportunities for partnerships.
The number of monthly listeners on Spotify shows how popular and engaged you are on the platform. This metric is essential for several reasons:
More listeners increase your chances of getting added to popular playlists, boosting your exposure.
A higher listener count means your music will more likely appear in "Discover Weekly" or "Release Radar," bringing in more streams and fans.
With more listeners, you may qualify for Spotify’s artist programs and brand partnerships, which can lead to better-earning potential.
Reaching milestones like 10,000 or 50,000 monthly listeners can help you get noticed by record labels, managers, and agents, opening up more career opportunities.
The answer varies. Spotify pays an average of $0.003 to $0.005 per stream, so an artist’s earnings per listener can differ based on how often that listener plays their music. Two listeners with different listening habits can result in vastly different earnings, making it hard to give a specific figure.
This is why increasing your monthly listeners is critical to boosting your earnings. The more unique listeners you have, the higher your potential income. While more streams are attractive, focusing on growing your unique listener base will lead to more consistent long-term growth.
Increasing your monthly listeners takes time, but here are some simple strategies to help you grow your audience:
Share your music on social media, collaborate with influencers, and interact with your followers to keep the buzz going.
Respond to messages, post regularly, and stay active with your followers. Engaged fans are more likely to share your music.
Getting featured on Spotify’s playlists can help more people discover your music and increase your listeners.
Keep your audience engaged by releasing singles, EPs, or albums regularly.
Take advantage of the tools Spotify offers to track your audience and improve your promotional efforts.
Several things can affect how many monthly listeners an artist gets:
Success varies for each artist, but reaching 10,000 to 50,000 monthly listeners is a good milestone. Artists with over 100,000 monthly listeners are typically in the top tier, often with significant industry backing.
Yes, the more monthly listeners you have, the more streams you’ll likely get, which can increase your earnings. Additionally, a more extensive listener base opens up opportunities for brand partnerships and Spotify’s artist programs.
Yes, you can track your monthly listeners through Spotify for Artists, a tool that provides detailed insights into your audience, streams, and listener behavior.
Your monthly listener count is updated every 28 days, reflecting the unique listeners you’ve gained during that period. It can fluctuate based on factors like new releases or promotional efforts.
In 2024, the number of monthly listeners you need to be successful on Spotify depends on your stage as an artist. Starting with 1,000–10,000 listeners is a great goal for beginners. Reaching 50,000 means you're getting noticed, and 100,000+ shows you're becoming a big name.
The most important thing is to keep promoting your music, connecting with fans, and staying consistent. Growth takes time, so focus on creating music people love, and your listeners will grow naturally.