Maximize Streams with DistroKid’s Wheel of Playlist

How to Leverage DistroKid’s Wheel of Playlist: My Experience and Tips for AI Music Creators

If you’re an independent artist, especially one navigating the evolving world of AI music, finding ways to organically promote your tracks is essential. One tool I’ve found invaluable is DistroKid’s Wheel of Playlist, which provides a unique opportunity to gain exposure through playlist placement on Spotify. While it’s not a guaranteed hit-maker, when used strategically, it can give your music a much-needed boost.

How Wheel of Playlist Works

The Wheel of Playlist is a free, promotional tool offered by DistroKid, where users spin a virtual wheel to potentially get their songs added to a DistroKid-curated playlist on Spotify. Here’s the process:

  1. Pick your song: You choose a song you’ve uploaded to DistroKid for potential playlist placement.
  2. Connect to Spotify: After choosing your song, you connect to your Spotify account.
  3. Spin the wheel: You get three chances to spin the wheel, and your best result will determine your spot on the playlist. For instance, if your best spin places you at number 23, your song will be the 23rd track on the playlist.
  4. Stay on the playlist: Your track will remain on the playlist until someone else spins the same number and bumps you off. If that happens, you can re-spin and try to regain your position.

Unlike traditional playlists, where algorithms or curators rank songs based on popularity or quality, the Wheel of Playlist is purely luck-based. However, once your song is added, its performance—how long it stays on the playlist, how many plays it gets—will absolutely depend on its quality and how well it resonates with listeners​

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My Experience: What Works and What Doesn’t

When I first started using the Wheel, I used it inconsistently—just a few times per week—and I didn’t see much traction. Even though I managed to land high placements on occasion, the results weren’t sustainable. Here’s why:

  • Rankings are temporary: Even if you hit a high spot on the playlist, you’ll likely be bumped off soon by others spinning the wheel. It’s disappointing, but it’s part of the process.
  • Song quality matters: Even with a high placement, if your song isn’t as good as you think, it won’t make much of an impact. You may get streams, but engagement—like saves or follows—will be minimal if listeners aren’t connecting with your track.

However, when I changed my approach with my song “Fork Inna Di Road” (listen here), things started to improve dramatically. Here’s what I did:

  • Consistency: I used the Wheel every day, keeping my song in rotation. The more spins, the more chances for playlist placement.
  • Re-submit quickly: Whenever my song was booted from the playlist, I re-spun the wheel as soon as possible to get it back on.
  • Focus on one track: Instead of spreading my efforts across multiple songs, I focused on consistently pushing one track for about 30 days.

Results: Over 400 Plays and Multiple Playlist Adds

In just a few weeks, “Fork Inna Di Road” accumulated over 400 plays, with real listeners saving the song. While many of the playlist adds were from my own submissions through the Wheel of Playlist, the real breakthrough came from consistent listener saves. This organic engagement proved that the song had potential beyond just placement. What's more, I also saw my track added to other DistroKid playlists such as New & Fresh, Fresh Finds, New Heat, and Rising Stars. These placements helped further boost visibility and confirmed that using the Wheel consistently can increase your chances of getting added to other playlists organically.

Key Takeaways for AI Music Creators

The Wheel of Playlist can be a valuable tool for gaining visibility, but you need to pair it with quality music and a solid strategy. Here’s what I recommend:

  • Use the tool daily: The more you spin, the more opportunities you have to gain exposure.
  • Track your progress: Keep an eye on notifications, and re-submit your song whenever it gets bumped.
  • Focus on quality: Remember, the Wheel can get your song onto a playlist, but your song’s quality is what will keep listeners engaged. If you’re working with AI-generated music, ensure your production is polished and competitive.

Why I Recommend DistroKid

Having experimented with several platforms, DistroKid remains my top recommendation for music distribution, especially when combined with tools like the Wheel of Playlist. It’s easy to use, offers unlimited uploads, and provides additional promotional features like Spotify Canvas, YouTube monetization, and more.

If you're ready to take the leap, use my referral links for discounts:

In conclusion, the Wheel of Playlist is an excellent tool for artists who are just starting or looking to gain organic traction. It’s not an instant success hack, but if you’re persistent and back it up with high-quality music, it can play a meaningful role in your promotional strategy. Just remember: it’s the song’s quality that will ultimately determine your success, so keep honing your craft!

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