Recently, an increasingly common problem has arisen among independent artists: being falsely accused of artificial streaming, resulting in their music being removed from platforms like Spotify. This situation is devastating for those working to build a music career, especially small bands and emerging artists.
The Situation
A typical case involves an independent band or artist finding their album, which has been on Spotify for years, removed due to alleged fraudulent streaming. Often, those facing these accusations state that they have never purchased streams or used paid services to boost their numbers. The accusations appear to stem from the unauthorized addition of their music to suspicious playlists, likely by third parties.
Despite repeated communications with Spotify and the digital distributor, many artists are unable to obtain a satisfactory resolution. Often, the only option is to reupload the album using the same ISRCs (to maintain some stats), but with the requirement to constantly monitor the playlists it's featured in—a burdensome and frustrating task.
A widespread challenge
Many independent artists have shared similar experiences. Some have seen albums or singles removed despite receiving organic streams, often supported by legitimate promotions like Spotify Marquee or Showcase. The problem seems to be recurring:
- Lack of advance notice from Spotify or distributors, who act unilaterally.
- Difficulty in proving the artist's lack of liability.
- The requirement for artists to actively monitor their numbers and report any anomalies.
This situation raises concerns about the transparency and fairness with which independent artists are treated.
What to do
If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some strategies for dealing with it:
- Report suspicious playlists: Use online guides to identify and report playlists with fraudulent activity. There are resources that explain how to proceed in these cases.
- Reupload your music: If your album or single is removed, you can reupload it with the same ISRC codes to retain some stats. However, be sure to completely delete the previous files from the distributor before reuploading.
- Consider alternatives: Some artists are considering exploring other platforms like Apple Music, which may offer more equal treatment to independents.
A solution to protect artists
Since Spotify introduced stricter rules on fraudulent streaming, I have been fighting to provide artists and publishers with a platform that protects them in these situations. With DISTRID, we have decided to apply only the penalty costs foreseen for fraudulent operations. In the event of a song removal by Spotify, DISTRID guarantees that the artist's account will not be deleted.
Artists will be able to redistribute their releases without losing their accrued royalties or historical statistics. This approach allows them to continue building a musical career without suffering irreparable damage, offering concrete support to those facing these challenges.
The way forward
These types of situations highlight a lack of transparency and support from streaming platforms and distributors. Dealing with fraudulent streams shouldn't be the sole burden of artists, especially those with limited resources. The frustration of being falsely accused undermines trust in the entire system.
If you're an artist who's encountered similar issues, I can help. I'm an expert in music rights management and digital distribution. I can work with you to develop a strategy that protects your music and helps you address issues related to fraudulent streaming on Spotify and other platforms. Schedule a meeting with me to discuss your needs and build a secure path for your music career.
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