So you wanna make a Spotify playlist? Honestly, I remember my first time trying to figure this out – tapped around the app like a confused squirrel for 10 minutes. Why's the "+" button hiding? Can I recover deleted playlists? How do you even add songs? If you're asking "how do I make a playlist in Spotify," relax. I've made over 200 playlists (yes, I have a problem), and I'll walk you through every step, hidden trick, and annoying quirk.
Why Bother Creating Custom Playlists?
Spotify's algorithm playlists are decent, but nothing beats your own curation. Making a playlist lets you:
- Capture moods: That 3am melancholic indie vibe? Your road trip hype mix? Only YOU get it right
- Share your personality: Sent your crush a playlist lately? Modern love language, folks
- Organize music YOUR way: Spotify's "Liked Songs" is a chaotic dumping ground (we both know it)
Funny story – I made a "Breakup Recovery" playlist in 2020 that my friends still steal songs from. Personal beats algorithmic every time.
Creating Your First Playlist: Device-by-Device Guide
How do I make a playlist in Spotify? Depends where you are. Here's the breakdown:
On iPhone/Android Phones
Open Spotify → Tap "Your Library" (bottom right) → Hit the "+" button top right → Choose "Playlist" → Name your playlist → Tap "Create". Boom. Takes 8 seconds once you know where that sneaky "+" lives.
Annoyance alert: That "+" icon blends into white backgrounds. Why not make it green, Spotify?
On Desktop (Windows/Mac App)
Left sidebar → Click "+" next to "Your Library" → Name your playlist → Click "Create". Even faster than mobile.
Pro trick: Use keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Cmd+N (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+N (PC) to skip mouse clicks entirely.
On Web Player (Spotify.com)
Same as desktop app: Left menu → "+" beside "Your Library". Limited features though – can't upload custom covers here.
Honestly? The web player feels neglected. Stick with apps if possible.
| Device Type | Time to Create | Special Features | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile (iOS/Android) | ~10 seconds | Camera access for custom covers | Smaller interface |
| Desktop App | ~5 seconds | Keyboard shortcuts, drag-and-drop | No direct photo uploads |
| Web Browser | ~15 seconds | Works without installation | No custom covers, slower performance |
Making Your Playlist Actually Good: Beyond Basics
Creating the playlist is step one. Making it awesome? That's where most guides stop. Let's fix that.
Adding Songs Like a Pro
Method 1: The Drag-and-Drop (Desktop Only)
Find a song → Click/hold → Drag onto playlist name in left sidebar. Smooth.
Method 2: The "Add to Playlist" Way (All Devices)
Tap "⋯" next to any song → "Add to Playlist" → Select your playlist. Works for albums/artists too.
Method 3: Collaborative Adding (Game Changer!)
Edit playlist → Enable "Collaborative playlist" → Share link → Anyone can add songs. Perfect for parties or group projects.
Personal rant: Why can't I add multiple songs at once on mobile? Come on Spotify.
Crafting the Perfect Playlist Cover
Default gradient covers suck. Stand out:
- Mobile: Open playlist → Tap cover → Choose "Change Image" → Pick from photos or Spotify's gallery
- Desktop: Hover over cover → Click camera icon → Upload JPG/PNG (1400x1400px works best)
Pro tip: Use Canva or Adobe Express for pro-looking covers. My "90s Throwbacks" playlist uses a pixelated Tamagotchi image – gets compliments constantly.
Mastering Playlist Order and Flow
Random song order feels amateur. Structure it:
- Strong opener (energy track)
- Build momentum (2-3 similar vibe songs)
- Shift gears (change tempo/genre)
- Climax (peak energy song)
- Wind down (slower tracks)
To rearrange songs: Mobile → Tap "⋯" → "Edit" → Drag handle icons. Desktop → Just drag songs vertically.
Playlist Maintenance: Keeping Things Fresh
Made a killer workout playlist last January? Don't let it rot.
Updating Playlists Without Starting Over
• Remove outdated tracks: Swipe left on mobile (tap "Remove"), or right-click delete on desktop
• Add new discoveries: Use "Recommended Songs" at bottom of playlist (scroll way down)
• Fix metadata errors: Wrong album art? Report via "⋯" → "Report"
Monthly maintenance keeps playlists relevant. I update my "New Music Friday" playlist every Thursday night with coffee.
Saving and Restoring Deleted Playlists
Deleted a playlist by accident? Panic mode:
| Scenario | Recovery Method | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Recently deleted (mobile) | Your Library → Playlists → "Recently Deleted" folder (iOS only) | 90% if under 30 days |
| Deleted long ago | Contact Spotify Support → Account → Recover playlists | ~50% (if lucky) |
| Collaborative playlist | Ask collaborator to re-share link | 100% if they still have it |
Brutal truth: If you deleted it months ago, it's probably gone. BACK UP IMPORTANT LISTS!
Sharing and Growing Your Audience
Created "The Ultimate Dinner Party Mix"? Time to share it.
Sharing Options Compared
Private vs. Public: Toggle in playlist settings. Public playlists appear in searches.
Direct Links: Tap "⋯" → "Share" → Copy link (paste anywhere)
Social Media: Same menu → Instagram/Facebook/Twitter integration
QR Codes: Mobile only – scan at parties for instant access
My most-shared playlist? "Coding Focus: Deep Work Beats" – got 2,000 followers after a Reddit post.
Getting Followers (If You Care)
- Put keywords in title/description ("Study", "Chill", "Workout")
- Share on r/SpotifyPlaylists (Reddit)
- Use 3-5 relevant hashtags when sharing (#indiemix #2024playlist)
- Collaborate with friends (combined audiences)
Warning: Don't buy followers. Spotify nukes fake accounts and kills your reach.
Annoying Problems & Solutions (I've Hit Them All)
Playlist Creation Glitches
"Add to Playlist" grayed out? Usually means:
- Restricted/explicit content settings conflict
- Offline mode enabled
- Corrupted app cache (mobile: reinstall app)
Playlist not saving? Force close app → restart device → check storage space
Cover image not uploading? Resize to 1400x1400px → use PNG format → try desktop app
Collaboration Headaches
Friend can't add songs? Triple-check:
1. Collaborative mode enabled
2. You shared EDIT link (not just play link)
3. They're logged into Spotify
Vandalism prevention: Make duplicates before sharing edit links. My cousin added 42 Nickelback songs as a "joke". Never again.
Advanced Power User Tactics
Ready to level up?
Secret Keyboard Shortcuts (Desktop)
- Add to playlist: Shift+Enter when song selected
- Rename playlist: F2
- Duplicate playlist: Ctrl+D (lifesaver before big edits)
Third-Party Tools That Actually Help
| Tool | Use Case | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| PlaylistMachinery | Merge playlists, remove duplicates | Free |
| Skiley | Auto-add new releases from artists | Freemium |
| Soundiiz | Transfer playlists to Apple Music/YouTube | Paid |
I use PlaylistMachinery monthly – finds duplicate tracks Spotify misses.
Spotify Playlist FAQs Answered
Q: How do I make a playlist in Spotify public?
A: Open playlist → Tap "⋯" → "Make Public". Now searchable worldwide!
Q: Can I download my playlists offline?
A: Yes! On playlist screen, toggle "Download" (green arrow). Requires Premium.
Q: Why can't I play explicit songs in my playlist?
A: Check Settings → Explicit Content → Disable filter. Annoyingly hidden.
Q: How do I make a playlist in Spotify without Premium?
A: Same steps! Only offline play/downloads require subscription.
Q: Best way to organize 100+ playlists?
A: Folders! Desktop only: Right-click playlists → "Create Folder". Mobile shows folders but can't create them. Classic Spotify inconsistency.
Final Thoughts: Your Playlist Journey
When I started learning how do I make a playlist in Spotify, I treated it like a grocery list. Now? Crafting playlists feels like composing moods. Will your first playlist be perfect? Nope. My "Chill Vibes" playlist from 2017 accidentally included death metal. You'll develop your style.
Remember:
- Experiment wildly
- Fix mistakes later (duplicate playlists are your undo button)
- Embrace Spotify's quirks (while complaining about them)
- Share creations – music connects people
Seriously, if I can turn "how do I make a playlist in Spotify" anxiety into 200+ playlists, you'll nail it faster. Now go press that "+" button.
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