You received a notification from your music distributor: your songs have been banned for alleged artificial streaming. Don't panic!
Spotify's new policy penalizes independent artists with restrictions, less visibility, and strict controls, while major labels continue to manipulate the market with inflated listens. The problem? Entry-level distributors offer no protection and often leave artists alone to face these sanctions.
But all is not lost! In this article, you'll find out why and what you can do to get your song back.
Artificial streaming: what does it really mean?
Artificial streaming occurs when songs are played without a real listener. A phenomenon that has always fueled the music industry, with major labels and labels repeatedly caught manipulating listens to increase reputation and visibility.
Spotify is aware of this, but has never introduced truly effective filters. In fact, bots operate like real users, following algorithmic and editorial playlists and generating inflated listens on a large scale.
The paradox? These same bots may have also listened to your music, and now you're paying the price.
What happens when you promote your tracks?
There are three scenarios:
- You use reliable systems: Meta Ads and Google Ads generate trackable traffic and reduce the risk of streaming fraud, although they can sometimes still trigger unfair removals (resolvable with advertising reports).
- You use Spotify's official advertising services: Marquee, Showcase, and Spotify Ad Studio offer protection from takedowns, although they don't guarantee complete immunity.
- You buy streams from services of dubious quality: If you've bought streams from unreliable sites, a takedown is guaranteed.
Why are YOU the one being penalized?
Entry-level distributors are often involved in fraudulent schemes, profiting from artificial streams and royalties stolen from artists. When Spotify penalizes them, they pass the problem on to the users. The result?
- Royalties never paid to the artists.
- Penalties collected by distributors and Spotify.
A system that only enriches the platforms, leaving artists unprotected.
Is Spotify still important?
Yes, but it shouldn't be the only promotional tool. Today, YouTube and Instagram offer more growth opportunities than Spotify's algorithmic playlists. Better to treat it as a showcase, without depending exclusively on it.
Can a removed song be recovered?
Yes! A takedown isn't always permanent. With the right support, you can recover your song and the unpaid royalties.
I have over 20 years of experience in music publishing and digital distribution. My work focuses on protecting music and recovering royalties unfairly taken from artists.
Don't let your work be unfairly cancelled. Book a meeting with me now and let's find the best solution for you!
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