Why is Spotify removing my streams?

“Why is Spotify removing my streams?” became one of the most frequently asked questions on music forums, Spotify community platforms, and social media.

All that Spotify has to say is “fraudulent streaming,” implying that those artists use bots to pump their numbers, or commonly said - to buy streams. Thousands of times asked, and always the same answer.

And indie artists are the ones accused of this all the time. Megastars? Rarely or never. After all, they’re the ones with money and power; no one wants a lawsuit from multimillionaires or public dislike from worldwide famous artists.

And indie artists, well, they’re labeled as thieves. But who is really stealing here - artists or Spotify itself? 😮

The internet is abuzz with speculation that Spotify is removing their streams and even taking down their songs. But is it about the streams? Or do they just not want to pay out royalties?

Check out what we found while researching to back up our suspicions!

This question keeps artists up at night! Spotify claims it’s all about fairness—ensuring only real streams count. But how does their mysterious algorithm decide what’s legit and what’s not?

Here’s what Spotify says: a stream counts after 30 seconds of play. Simple, right? Not so fast. Behind the scenes, Spotify’s bots are watching “yours”—tracking location, device usage, and playlist activity. If something smells even slightly “off,” streams vanish into thin air.

But what happens when fans are looping their favorite songs? Could look suspicious. 

A regional campaign boosting your plays in one area? Flagged as unusual. 

Local influencer promoting your song? How can those streams be gone with the wind?

And offline plays? They might not even sync properly.

And how an indie artist can grow if they don’t use before mentioned to promote themselves? Don’t bother and try to answer this question. The answer simply doesn’t exist.

REMEMBER THE TIME WHEN JUSTIN INVITED HIS FANS TO PLAY HIS SONG ON THE LOOP.

I don't remember Spotify taking the song down.

Still, Spotify insists its system is foolproof, but artists beg to differ. False positives happen, streams are lost, and transparency is nowhere to be found.

“Botted streams” is the term no artist wants to hear—but we must define them properly to reach our point.

These streams are generated by bots—automated programs designed to rack up plays and inflate an artist’s numbers.

Spotify’s algorithm is always on the hunt for botted streams, flagging suspicious activity like repeat plays from the same device or sudden spikes in plays from unusual locations. If caught, artists can face penalties ranging from stream removals to song takedowns—or worse, account suspension.

How botted streams work:

• Bot farms use software to play tracks repeatedly.

• Scripted plays are scripts that mimic human listening patterns.

• Mass accounts loop tracks from 1000s of fake accounts.

• Fake playlists use bots to inflate streams with loops.

Key signs of botted streams:

• Repetitive patterns - same IP/device overused.

• Unusual locations - spikes from unexpected regions.

• Low engagement - plays without saves or likes.

• Odd timing - streams at unnatural intervals.

But here’s the twist: what happens when legit streams look botted? Fans replaying tracks obsessively or a viral campaign causing a sudden surge can sometimes trigger the same red flags. And just like that, you’re under suspicion.

Let’s recap.

How vague to you is the explanation of the fake streaming? A lot, right? This was a thing in 2006, but it’s all that is possible to find online. The conclusion is - no one knows what exactly fake streaming is nowadays.

But let’s see what artists around the globe have to say about Spotify removing streams and taking down songs.

Spotify’s chaos keeps getting messier. The disconnect between Spotify’s main app and Spotify for Artists is impossible to ignore. Streams slashed on one platform? Yet untouched on the other. It’s like they’re running two parallel universes—and they’re not even trying to make them match.

This glaring inconsistency raises serious questions. If they can’t keep their own numbers straight, how can they confidently accuse artists of artificial streaming? And most importantly, who’s responsible for cleaning up this mess?

What’s really going on? What if this whole “fake streams” thing isn’t even about fraud? What if Spotify is intentionally removing streams to save cash and fatten its bottom line? Think about it: every stream they remove means the money they don’t have to pay out to artists, labels, or songwriters. Slashing 50% of streams isn’t just some random number—it’s a substantial cost-cutting move.

With millions of songs and artists, systematically removing streams could result in massive savings for Spotify. Could this “crackdown” on artificial streams be just a smoke screen for boosting profits? This idea isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds, especially considering Spotify’s ongoing battle to turn a profit and keep investors happy.

If this is what’s happening, it’s not just an insult to artists—it’s a betrayal of the people who keep Spotify alive.

Let’s not forget the real-world impact here. Artists put everything into their music—time, money, and emotion. For many, Spotify is their main income source and the way they connect with fans. This “purge” of streams throws careers into chaos and erodes trust in a platform that’s supposed to support creators.

Spotify owes artists answers. How are streams determined to be “fake”? Why are they removing half of the streams across the board? And what does it mean if even Spotify Ads are being targeted? What’s really going on with their integrity?

Until Spotify comes clean, this mess will only widen the gap between the platform and the artists it’s supposed to champion. Is this the future of music streaming—where creators are silenced to save a buck? If so, the industry needs to wake up and demand accountability.

This isn’t just about streams anymore. It’s about fairness, trust, and the future of music. And right now, Spotify is playing a dangerous game with all three.

While the current situation with Spotify’s stream removal is frustrating and confusing for many artists, there's a chance this could be an issue that will get the attention it deserves. In the long run, Spotify will likely have to take a closer look at their system to resolve these inconsistencies. After all, they know they can’t keep alienating the very creators who make their platform thrive.

Until then, artists don't have to face these challenges alone. At Pitch-Us, we specialize in navigating the complexities of music marketing, helping artists grow their streams and build their presence in ways that are transparent and effective. We've had our own run-ins with the frustrations of the industry, but we always find a way to solve them — quickly and efficiently.

So, while we wait for Spotify to clear things up, rest assured that we’re here to guide you through it. Whether it’s boosting visibility, managing campaigns, or overcoming setbacks like these, Pitch-Us is here to make sure you keep moving forward. Together, we'll turn these challenges into opportunities. Stay optimistic — we’ve got your back.