Artificial streaming, also called streaming fraud or botting, involves using non-organic methods (such as bots, click farms, fake playlists, or automated loops) to inflate play counts in services. Even unintentional participation can lead to penalties, as streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music actively monitor for this activity to protect the integrity of their platforms. Consequences can include removal of tracks, withholding of royalties, and suspension or closure of accounts, with platform decisions being final and non-disputable.
If your release has already been taken down for artificial streaming, please see our Help Center article here: What Should I Do If My Release Was Taken Down for Artificial Streaming?
Avoid Paying for Guaranteed Results
Be cautious of services that promise:
- A set number of streams or listeners
- Playlist placements or “exposure” packages
- Guaranteed follower increases
These offers often rely on artificial streaming techniques, even if they claim to be organic.
Research Promotional Services Thoroughly
Before partnering with any marketing or promotion company:
- Look up reviews and online feedback about them.
- Check the authenticity of their social media presence. Accounts with fake followers, unusually low engagement, or exaggerated claims are warning signs.
- Trust your instincts: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Keep an Eye on Your Analytics
Tools like Spotify for Artists, Apple Music for Artists, and the Too Lost Analytics dashboard can help you spot unusual activity. Pay attention to:
- Streams per listener: Extremely high numbers may indicate fake plays.
- Listener locations: Unexpected spikes from unrelated regions can be a red flag.
- Audience demographics: Overly uniform age or gender distributions may suggest inauthentic traffic.
Watch Out for Fake Playlists
Even if you didn’t pay for placement, your track might appear on playlists that inflate streams artificially. To evaluate a playlist:
- Use tools like Artist.Tools Bot Checker to identify bots.
- Review the playlist’s follower count and engagement.
If you believe a playlist is generating fake streams, report it to Spotify immediately.
What to Do If You Used a Fraudulent Promotion Service
If you’ve worked with a promotion company and notice signs of artificial activity:
- Check your streaming analytics for unusual patterns.
- Stop working with the service right away.
- Keep an eye on your catalog for any further suspicious activity.