diff --git a/core/spotify_client.py b/core/spotify_client.py
index 2d81eb81..0a366bad 100644
--- a/core/spotify_client.py
+++ b/core/spotify_client.py
@@ -596,7 +596,8 @@ class SpotifyClient:
         """Search for artists - falls back to iTunes if Spotify not authenticated"""
         if self.is_spotify_authenticated():
             try:
-                results = self.sp.search(q=query, type='artist', limit=min(limit, 10))
+                search_query = f'artist:{query}' if len(query.strip()) <= 4 else query
+                results = self.sp.search(q=search_query, type='artist', limit=min(limit, 10))
                 artists = []
 
                 for artist_data in results['artists']['items']:
diff --git a/web_server.py b/web_server.py
index 619d5d03..dfe11c65 100644
--- a/web_server.py
+++ b/web_server.py
@@ -23350,7 +23350,8 @@ def search_artists_for_playlist():
             if hydrabase_worker and dev_mode_enabled:
                 hydrabase_worker.enqueue(query, 'artist')
 
-            results = spotify_client.sp.search(q=query, type='artist', limit=10)
+            search_query = f'artist:{query}' if len(query.strip()) <= 4 else query
+            results = spotify_client.sp.search(q=search_query, type='artist', limit=10)
             if results and 'artists' in results and 'items' in results['artists']:
                 for artist in results['artists']['items']:
                     artists.append({