Artificial streaming refers to unauthorized, non-genuine plays—from bots, streaming farms, fraudster playlists, or incentivized schemes—that distort streaming metrics and unfairly siphon royalties.
Key Causes of Artificial Streaming (AS)
According to Revelator, AS can stem from various scenarios:
Fraudulent campaigns designed to inflate play counts or royalty income.
Seemingly legitimate marketing services that secretly use bots or other non-compliant methods.
Unapproved placement on fraudulent playlists.
“Ricochet streaming,” where your track is randomly played to obscure bot behavior—you become a collateral victim.
Overzealous fans or collaborators driving repeat plays from suspicious sources.
What Spotify Defines as Artificial Streaming
Artificial streams are plays that do not reflect real user interest. They can stem from bots or automated systems intended to manipulate charts or royalties.
Why It's Harmful (Industry-Wide Impact)
Artificial streams erode trust and damage legitimate artist success by:
Distorting recommendation algorithms and playlist metrics.
Diverting revenue from authentic creators to fraudulent operators.
Undermining the reliability of charts and fan engagement data.
In a notable legal case, a Danish man was sentenced to prison for manipulating streaming platforms and fraudulently collecting over $290,000 in royalties—highlighting how serious these violations can be.
Platform Penalties & Safeguards
Spotify, for instance, enacts several anti-fraud measures:
Bots and artificial streams earn no royalties and are excluded from charts and public metrics.
Confirmed cases may result in removal from playlists, tracks being pulled, or stricter distributor action.
Since April 2024, Spotify charges labels/distributors a €10 monthly penalty per track flagged for blatant artificial streaming.
How to Avoid Artificial Streaming
Promote ethically—without risking your music or reputation:
Never use services promising guaranteed streams or playlist placements—they often rely on fraud.
Vet promotion platforms carefully, even if they appear reputable.
Monitor your streaming trends closely using Spotify for Artists or Revelator dashboards; suspicious spikes warrant scrutiny.
If flagged, review campaign partners and playlist sources, and consult us before re-delivering content.
Summary Table
Topic | Recommendation |
Artificial Streaming | Fraudulent, non-user-driven streams |
Common Causes | Bots, playlist scams, ricochet plays |
Platform Actions | Removal of plays, revenue withholding, fines |
Your Best Defense | Authentic promotion, active monitoring, avoid sketchy services |
We're here to support you—feel free to contact us if you're unsure about any promotion or notice unusual streaming behavior.