Spotify Removes Legit Songs, Claims ‘Fake Streams’ – Here’s the Real Story!

The fact that you’re reading this means you have Spotify-related problems, and there isn’t a precise way to define them. Some call it fake streaming, but music artists who’ve experienced these issues know it’s not that simple. To be clear, we’re not saying no one is botting streams; it’s just that Spotify’s algorithm can’t accurately detect who is faking streams and who isn’t. Or can they? Could they be using this opportunity to boost their income by taking away streams?

We can’t say for certain, but the internet and the music industry have plenty to say about this rather unusual Spotify behavior.

In one of our recent articles, we explored this topic. But now, we have even more interesting information to share with you.

We’ve come across a very concerning case study about  Spotify removing songs, streams, and listeners. Let’s analyze it!

A Bit About Us

At Pitch-Us, we’ve run thousands of digital campaigns for music artists, from those debuting their first track to chart-topping stars with millions of fans. Our clients range from independent musicians with limited budgets to artists spending millions annually on their careers.

We handle campaigns on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter. But Spotify—the very platform we’ve championed—has become a major challenge.

Let me be clear: we value transparency and ethics above all. In an industry often clouded by dubious practices, we’ve built trust with our clients by following platform rules and delivering results through legitimate means.

For our Spotify promotions, we use Meta ads and other social media platforms to target real listeners and drive engagement. No bots, no scripts, no third-party gimmicks—just legitimate campaigns tailored to bring artists closer to their audience. So why would Spotify flag those campaigns as “fake streams”?

Spotify has made headlines for removing songs, streams, and listeners due to alleged "artificial streaming." While Spotify claims to target bots and illegitimate practices, critics argue the platform's detection systems are flawed, potentially penalizing legitimate artists and marketers. Jacob, a certified Spotify Advertising reseller, recently shared his firsthand experience, shedding light on the challenges and contradictions within Spotify's ecosystem. Here's an analysis of the situation.

What is Artificial Streaming?

Spotify defines artificial streaming as streams generated by automated processes like bots or scripts, which don't reflect genuine user listening intent. These streams can skew the platform's metrics, impacting artists’ royalties and playlists. However, the controversy arises when Spotify flags legitimate streams as artificial.

Now, back to the case study we found that we want to share and analyze with you.

"Jacob" ran a campaign for an artist, "Stacy," using Spotify’s native Ads Studio. Here's a breakdown of the issue:

1. Results Delivered: Stacy's campaign generated 251,436 streams, with 95.39% (239,843 streams) coming directly from Spotify Ads Studio.
2. Song Removed: Despite clear documentation, Spotify removed Stacy’s track, citing "artificial streaming."
3. Proof Denied: Jacob presented reports from Spotify Ads Studio and live chat confirmations, but the removal stood.

This case highlights a critical disconnect between Spotify Ads Studio and Spotify's fraud detection system.

The Root of the Problem

Jacob’s investigation revealed a fundamental flaw in Spotify’s operations:

1. Disconnected Ecosystems: Spotify Ads Studio operates independently from Spotify’s content and fraud teams. The latter lacks access to detailed advertising data, making it difficult to verify the legitimacy of streams from ad campaigns.
2. Flawed Detection Systems: Spotify acknowledges its detection measures are not perfect. However, artists and advertisers are left to navigate a “guilty until proven innocent” scenario.
3. Limited Transparency: Despite using Spotify’s official tools, Jacob's campaigns faced unjust penalties, reflecting a lack of accountability on Spotify’s part.

Image source: Medium.com, @jacobmarketing

The Bigger Picture

This issue isn’t isolated. Many artists face penalties due to vague policies and inadequate communication between Spotify departments. While artificial streaming is a genuine problem, Spotify's approach seems to punish even those who abide by the rules, creating unnecessary hurdles for independent artists and ethical marketers.

Questions Spotify Must Answer

1. Is Spotify Ads Studio Contributing to Artificial Streaming?
   If streams generated through Spotify Ads Studio are flagged, does this indicate flaws within the platform itself?
2. Why is There No Transparency?
   Artists and marketers deserve clarity on how their campaigns are evaluated and flagged.
3. Will Spotify Fix This Disconnect?
   Until Spotify aligns its departments, legitimate campaigns will remain at risk of unfair penalties.

What This Means for Artists

Artists relying on Spotify to grow their audience should:

1. Document Everything: Keep records of all ad campaigns, streams, and communications.
2. Diversify Platforms: Avoid depending solely on Spotify. Explore other platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for promotion.
3. Stay Vigilant: Monitor for flags or strikes and act quickly to contest them with proof.

What Can Be Done?

Artists, managers, and marketing agencies need to hold Spotify accountable. Here’s how:

• Document everything. Keep records of all campaigns, including reports and proof of ad spend.

• Challenge removals. Work with your distributor to escalate issues and provide evidence.

• Advocate for change. Use your voice to highlight these issues and push Spotify to address flaws in its system.

At Pitch-Us, we’ll continue to support artists, fight these unjust practices, and push for a fairer platform for everyone.

For more insights and tips on navigating the music industry, follow us at Pitch-Us!

And, make sure to use our PR service to make your voice go beyond Spotify.