How adding playlists to the bottom of your articles helps you rank in Google and AI searches

Placing an embedded playlist at the bottom of an article can have a positive impact on overall site performance. When readers finish an article and continue listening, they are more likely to stay on the page longer, explore additional content, and return to the site in the future.

These behaviours support stronger performance in Google and AI-driven discovery systems. However, for embedded playlists to contribute meaningfully, they need to be implemented with clear context.

Search engines and AI systems do not interpret playlist embeds in the same way users do. Instead, they rely on the surrounding text to understand what the playlist represents and how it relates to the rest of the page.

For this reason, every embedded playlist should be introduced with a short, descriptive section.

Always include a brief description above the playlist explaining:

This helps search systems associate the playlist with specific genres or themes, while also setting clear expectations for readers before they press play.

A strong description is clear, specific, and written primarily for readers.

For example:

“If you want to explore more hip-hop along similar lines, this playlist brings together other artists I’ve discovered recently and think are worth checking out.”

Descriptions like this:

Avoid generic introductions such as:

These do not add meaningful context and are less effective for discovery.

Clear descriptions also help AI systems understand when and how to surface your content. Pages that clearly explain who a playlist is for and what it includes are more likely to be referenced or recommended in response to relevant queries.

When adding descriptions:

When embedded playlists are placed thoughtfully and supported with clear descriptive text, they become more than a listening feature. They help extend engagement, improve page performance, and support long-term visibility across search and discovery systems.