But getting a song on a playlist generates real listeners (unless the followers are fake), it's not some artificial BS for the most part. I just don't agree with demonizing third-party services helping out independent artists... especially when major labels have nearly complete control over the biggest playlists on Spotify. If Spotify shuts down those independent services, it'll be a loss for the democratization of music.

If you read the article it describes how playlist owners don't have any obligation of adding tracks unless they like them. Seeing as that's the case, there is no extra incentive for addition to their playlists, unless they like a particular song. And I do believe that there are thousands of talented artists out there that simply do not get a shot at making it in the music industry because they have no resources to be able to get their music exposed to listeners. I don't think demonizing third-party services that help out the little man is the solution- the problem is the big labels having nearly complete control over Spotify's most popular playlists.