Intro

Here's a pressing issue for independent musicians: receiving a notice from Spotify that your music is being taken down due to suspected fraudulent streaming. This recently happened to a musician in the GoalGetter community so I put together these resources to help her fight back. I figured it could be helpful and informative to other independent artists as well. So let's get into it.

Spotify's Crackdown on Fake Streams

Spotify started cracking down on fake streams in 2021 when it removed an estimated 750,000 tracks that it had algorithmically determined were accumulating fake streams. For those unfamiliar, a streaming farm is a physical location where a bunch of phones, computers, iPads, etc are set up and programmed to stream the same song over and over on repeat. They are often found overseas in places like Bangladesh and Pakistan. If you've never seen what a streaming farm looks like, check out this TikTok video from NowThis:

The Role of Playlisting Companies

The most common way artists get caught up in this issue is by hiring playlisting companies. While there are legitimate playlisting companies, it's getting harder and harder for artists to discern who the real ones are. A rule of thumb is to never trust a company that guarantees a certain number of streams for an amount (ex: 1,000 streams for $10).

A legitimate company will not guarantee streams. You might think, "I don't want to pay for something that isn't guaranteed." I get it - but it's impossible to guarantee a certain number of streams for a set amount of money without using a streaming farm. Companies that promise guaranteed streams are using streaming farms, putting you at risk of having your music removed from Spotify.

Legit playlisting companies have relationships with major playlist curators and, for a fee, will pitch your music to their network of playlist curators. However, they cannot guarantee placements - only that they will PITCH your music. You can also pitch directly to playlists if you're able to find contact information for the curator. One popular tool that can help with this is Charmetric.

The Impact on Independent Artists

This situation is particularly harmful to independent artists who don't have the backing of major record labels like Sony, Warner, and Universal. Ironically, major label artists also use streaming bots (as you saw if you watched the above TikTok video), but of course, the repercussions are never as serious for them as for us indies. As an independent artist, we often have a small team or are a one-person operation. This means you have to contact Spotify yourself and hope to break through the noise.

So, what the hell do you do?

You should contact your distributor and Spotify. Here's a list of actionable steps to start with:

1. Gather Evidence:

   • Collect all relevant evidence that shows your streams are legitimate. This can include data from other platforms, social media engagement, and marketing activities that support the authenticity of your streams.

2. Contact Spotify for Artists Support:

   • Go to the Spotify for Artists website and log in to your account.

   • Navigate to the "Help" or "Contact Us" section to find the appropriate contact form or support email for disputes.

3. Prepare Your Appeal:

   • Write a clear and concise explanation of why you believe the streams are legitimate. Include any evidence you’ve gathered.

   • Mention any marketing campaigns, playlists, or promotional activities that might have contributed to the spike in streams.

4. Submit Your Appeal:

   • Use the contact form or support email provided by Spotify to submit your appeal. Ensure that your message includes all necessary details and evidence.

   • Be polite and professional in your communication, as this can help in getting a favorable response.

5. Follow Up:

   • If you don’t receive a response within a reasonable timeframe, follow up with a polite reminder.

   • Be persistent but patient, as these investigations can take some time.

6. Consider Legal Advice:

   • If the issue is not resolved and you strongly believe you’ve been wronged, consider seeking legal advice. A lawyer experienced in music and intellectual property law can provide guidance on how to proceed. My lawyer, Mark, is f**king awesome and I highly recommend him. Contact him at arclg.com and tell him Kaila Love sent you!

Resources

1. Spotify's Policy on Fake Streams

2. DistroKid's Help Center

3. TuneCore's Support

4. CD Baby's Help Center

5. UnitedMasters' Support

6. A thread from community.spotify.com from an artist who had this happen to them

Want a free appeals letter template for reaching out to Spotify about your music takedown? I've made one for you.

Access it here: