You have until December to Submit for Tidal's Spotlight $100 payout Program

Tidal has introduced a new initiative designed to put money directly into the pockets of artists using its platform. The Program began on July 9 and ends on December 31, 2025 at 11:59:59 PM ET. Tidal's “Spotlight” program will pay artists $100 for every day their song is featured in one of Tidal’s editorial playlists or in-app promotions. The program applies to artists who use Tidal Upload to share their music publicly and have their tracks selected by the platform’s Editorial team. The move positions Tidal as one of the few major digital streaming platforms offering direct monetary rewards for playlist exposure rather than relying solely on traditional per-stream royalties.

According to Tidal, the Spotlight program is “an opportunity for artists who use Tidal Upload to be considered for promotion by the Editorial team.” Once a track is chosen for a curated playlist or in-app feature, the artist automatically becomes eligible to receive the daily $100 award. There is no maximum limit on how much can be earned, which means artists could potentially generate significant revenue if their music maintains consistent placement.

The program is only available to U.S.-based account holders who are at least 18 years old. Artists who want to participate must upload original music, make it public, and connect their Cash App account to receive payments. Once their track is selected, they are notified by email with next steps on how to claim their awards.

How the Program Works

Only editorial placements are eligible for Spotlight awards, according to Tidal’s terms. These include curated playlists and in-app features that are personally chosen by the platform’s Editorial team. Algorithmic playlists, such as “My Mix,” and automatic app sections that collect all Spotlight tracks, like “Spotlighted Uploads,” do not qualify for the award. “Although Spotlighted Uploads appears in the app, it’s not an editorial playlist or feature,” Tidal explains. “It’s simply a section that collects all tracks participating in the Spotlight program.”

Artists are encouraged to maintain professional presentation and quality to increase their chances of selection. Tidal recommends uploading high-quality cover art, ensuring clean track titles, and reviewing each release for typos or formatting issues. Artists are also advised to include up-to-date profile photos and finalized audio to improve visibility during the selection process. These best practices reflect Tidal’s intention to highlight artists who meet both creative and technical standards in their releases.

If a track is chosen, artists will receive an email confirming their Spotlight placement and payment eligibility. Each day the song remains in rotation on an editorial playlist, another $100 is awarded. For artists with multiple placements on the same day, each appearance counts separately, creating additional earning potential. There is no limit on total payments, allowing tracks with long-term appeal to generate sustained revenue.

A Move to Differentiate from Competitors

The Spotlight initiative represents a bold step for Tidal as it seeks to distinguish itself in an increasingly competitive streaming market. Other major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music currently rely on algorithms and editorial playlists to promote new music but do not offer direct daily payments for playlist inclusion. By introducing a transparent financial incentive, Tidal is appealing to independent artists who often struggle to see tangible financial rewards from streaming exposure.

Tidal’s approach also continues the company’s broader mission to center artists in its business model. Since its relaunch under previous ownership by Jay-Z and its later acquisition by Block, the company has emphasized fairness, transparency, and artist empowerment as key values. The new Spotlight program builds on that legacy, merging the visibility of playlists with real compensation. It reflects a shift toward valuing curation not only as promotion but as a performance-based opportunity for artists to earn directly.

The payment structure through Cash App, a Block-owned platform, makes the process quick and accessible. Artists have up to 90 days after being notified of their selection to link their Cash App account and claim their payments. This integration creates a smooth ecosystem between music discovery, promotion, and payment — one that strengthens Tidal’s position as an artist-first streaming service in an era where fair compensation continues to dominate industry conversations.