# Connecting Spotify

What a Spotify connection does, why it may be refused, and where your Spotify numbers really come from.

A Spotify connection reads your own listener account, not your artist page. The Spotify access available to MusicLaunch doesn't include artist numbers — no monthly listeners, streams or artist followers — so the connection only adds a small card to the Social Hub and lets the Playlist Tracker fill in a playlist's name and owner when you paste a Spotify link. You don't need it for Performance.

## Connecting

Social Hub → Connect Accounts → Spotify → Connect. Your browser opens Spotify's sign-in page; sign in with your own Spotify account and approve. Spotify's permission screen asks for your account details and your playlists (including private and collaborative ones) — nothing about your listening history. MusicLaunch only shows your account name and follower count, and looks up the name and owner of playlists you add to the Playlist Tracker. (If you connected Spotify with an earlier version, that connection was granted more — top tracks, recently played, playback state, who you follow and your email — none of which MusicLaunch used; disconnect and connect again to drop it.) You can disconnect at any time.

## ⚠️ Why Spotify may refuse to connect (the catch)

Spotify keeps apps like MusicLaunch in 'Development Mode' with a small, fixed list of allowed users, and since early 2026 it no longer lets us add to that list. Most customers will see an 'app in development mode' error when they try to connect — that's Spotify's rule, not a bug. You don't need the connection for Performance: Spotify followers, listeners and streams come from a Spotify for Artists CSV import or Social Hub → Record Metrics.

## Where your Spotify numbers come from

- Import your Spotify for Artists CSV — Performance → Import CSV. Streams, listeners, saves, followers and playlist counts land in the Performance dashboard and the Cross-Platform tab.
- Use Record Metrics — Social Hub → Record Metrics → enter your Spotify numbers by hand whenever you like. Works for everyone, connected or not.

> **Note: Other platforms aren't affected**
>
> This is a Spotify-specific limitation. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Bluesky have no equivalent cap — connect them freely.

## Related articles

- [Social Hub & Connecting Accounts](https://www.musiclaunchapp.com/help/social-hub.md): Connect Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Bluesky, see what each connection can do, use copy-and-open for the rest, and reuse past posts with the Content Recycler.
- [Performance Dashboard](https://www.musiclaunchapp.com/help/performance.md): Track streaming, social growth, and engagement across platforms.
- [Playlist Tracker](https://www.musiclaunchapp.com/help/playlist-tracker.md): A manual log of your playlist pitches — statuses you set yourself, synced to Contacts and the Calendar.

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- From the MusicLaunch Help Center (Social & Posting). The same guide is built into the app under Help.
- Web page: https://www.musiclaunchapp.com/help/oauth-setup-spotify/
- All guides: https://www.musiclaunchapp.com/llms.txt
- Support: hello@musiclaunchapp.com