New fees for streaming fraud…
Spotify is now applying a fee for tracks where over 90% of the streams are deemed fraudulent. DSPs like TikTok, Apple and Meta are also taking a much firmer approach to streaming fraud. We urge you to read this resource page in full so you understand what streaming fraud is, how you could fall victim to it, and most importantly, how to prevent it from happening to your label.
You may have come across the term “streaming fraud” or “Artificial Streaming”, especially in discussions about DSPs like Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok and Meta. Streaming fraud entails the use of bots or streaming farms to artificially boost the number of plays a song or album receives on a streaming platform, resulting in false success.
The magnitude of this is larger than you most likely think. Analysts have estimated that 10% of streams on Spotify could be fraudulent, leading Spotify to implement clear prevention measures for 2024. The challenge arises when one of your tracks falls into this 10% category—rectifying the situation (without resorting to a full release takedown) can be quite difficult. Apple Music, Deezer, TikTok, Facebook and many others are also taking firm action.
In response, we’ve assembled a comprehensive resource to provide guidance on how to steer clear of streaming fraud. But first, let’s highlight why you must take this seriously, as it could happen to your label without your knowing about it.
