Ever noticed a sudden spike in streams from a playlist you don’t recognize? Maybe your track landed on a playlist with tens of thousands of followers, but the engagement feels... off. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with an artificial (or botted) playlist.
Artificial playlists are a big problem on Spotify, and if your music ends up on one, it can mess with your stats, hurt your algorithm ranking, and even put your account at risk. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. This guide will show you how to spot, avoid, and report artificial playlists so you can keep your music career on the right track.
What Are Artificial Playlists?
Artificial playlists are basically fake playlists that use bots to inflate stream counts. Instead of real listeners vibing to your track, your song gets played on repeat by automated programs - which might sound cool at first, but trust me, it’s bad news.
Spotify is always on the lookout for fraud, and if your music is connected to fake streams, they can remove your tracks or even flag your account. That’s why knowing how to report and avoid artificial playlists is crucial for your long-term success.
How Do Artists End Up on Botted Playlists?
Even if you’re doing everything right, your song can still land on one of these sketchy playlists. Here’s how it usually happens:
1️⃣ Shady Promotion Services
Ever seen a website promising "10,000 guaranteed Spotify streams"? Yeah, that’s a scam. These services use bots to boost numbers, and if Spotify catches on (which they will), your streams could get wiped or worse - your account could be penalized.
2️⃣ Scammers Adding Your Songs Without Permission
Some scammers add random indie tracks to their fake playlists, hoping the artists will pay them to keep the song there or just to boost the song count in a specific genre. If you see an unfamiliar playlist boosting your streams and then suddenly removing your song, this might be the case.
3️⃣ Random Playlist Placement
Sometimes, even well-meaning curators get tricked into using bad promotion tactics. If a playlist looks legit but suddenly blows up overnight, it could be due to fake engagement behind the scenes.
How Organic Playlisting Really Works
Unlike shady services that guarantee a specific number of streams (which is a red flag), Pitch-Us focuses on real placements with real results.
Here’s what you can expect:
✅ We pitch your music to carefully vetted Spotify playlists in your genre
✅ You’re guaranteed x-y placements (based on the number of curators) - or your money back
✅ We guarantee stream ranges based on past results - but exact numbers? No one can promise that
✅ Some campaigns hit big numbers fast, some take time - but we keep pushing (that's why we don't offer overnight success, but we need at least a month to achieve results)
✅ No bots, no artificial playlists - just real listeners discovering your music
We base our stream estimates on real past experience - we know the typical range of results, and most campaigns land within it. But since organic growth depends on real people, we can’t predict the exact number of streams.
That said, if we ever fall short of our promise, we won’t just shrug and move on. We’ll honor your investment by offering a full refund - because we know how tight budgets can be for indie artists. Your success is our success.
Ready to grow your music the right way? Check out our organic playlisting packages and start getting your songs in front of real, engaged listeners.
How to Spot an Artificial Playlist
Not every underperforming playlist is botted, but here are some red flags to watch for:
✔️ Weird Streaming Patterns – If your song gets a ton of streams overnight and then nothing? 🚩 Fake streams often come in unnatural waves.
✔️ No Listener Engagement – Got 5,000 streams but zero new followers, saves, or playlist adds? Bots don’t engage like real fans.
✔️ Sketchy Playlist Growth – A playlist gaining 10,000+ followers in a couple of hours isn’t normal. Check Chartmetric or IsItAGoodPlaylist to see if the numbers make sense.
✔️ Strange Locations – If your streams are suddenly all from one random country, it could be bot activity. Real listeners come from diverse locations.
If a playlist is hitting these red flags, it’s time to take action.
How to Report a Botted Playlist on Spotify
Spotify finally made it easier to report artificial playlists - here’s how:
Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting an Artificial Playlist
1️⃣ Log in to Spotify for Artists – Head over to Spotify for Artists and sign in.
2️⃣ Go to the Playlist Reporter Tool – Visit the Spotify Playlist Reporter Form.
3️⃣ Copy the Playlist Link – Open Spotify, find the suspicious playlist, click the three dots (⋮), and select "Copy Link".
4️⃣ Fill Out the Form – Paste the link, explain why you think the playlist is fake, and submit.
5️⃣ Wait for Spotify to Review – They’ll investigate and take action if necessary.
Bonus Tip: If you suspect your own streams are affected, contact Spotify support and ask them to review your streaming data.
How to Protect Your Music from Artificial Playlists
The best way to stay safe is to keep things organic. So make sure to use legit promo services, like Pitch-Us. Working with reputable companies that focus on real audience growth, not bots, will keep you safe from Spotify penalties.
Also, keep an eye on where your streams come from (Spotify for Artists gives you this info). We cannot stress this enough, but you must build an engaged fanbase – focus on real fans through social media, live shows, and direct engagement.
And don't forget - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
📲 Need help growing on TikTok and Instagram? We specialize in organic social media growth that gets your music in front of real fans who actually care. Let’s get your content seen, shared, and trending - without fake numbers or empty engagement.
Want Real Playlist Growth? We’ve Got You!
Artificial playlists can wreck your Spotify career, but real, organic playlist placements can take your music to the next level. That’s where we come in!
🚀 Get your music heard by real listeners with our organic Spotify playlisting services —no bots, no fake streams, just genuine exposure to engaged audiences.
Ready to grow the right way? Check out our playlisting packages and start reaching real fans who actually vibe with your music!
Browse our services now and take your Spotify growth to the next level!
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