📢 What Does Spotify Say?
Spotify states:
🔎 “Any stream that does not reflect genuine user listening intent will be considered artificial.”
That means even if you used a service in good faith, if the streams aren’t organic, you may still face consequences.
❗ What Should You Avoid Doing?
Spotify strongly advises against:
🚫 Using services that promise “guaranteed” streams, followers, or playlist placements
🚫 Purchasing plays or traffic from third-party websites
🚫 Attempting to manipulate the system in any way (e.g., looping your own songs using multiple accounts)
While these may seem like shortcuts, they can seriously damage your music career.
✅ What If You Believe Your Streams Are Legitimate?
Spotify recommends that, if your streams are being flagged but you believe your promotion was legitimate, you should immediately provide full details about how those streams were generated. This may include:
📄 The name of the agency or service provider
🧾 Receipts or contracts showing what was purchased
📈 Data from your marketing campaigns (ads, social media, etc.)
📬 Share all this with your distributor or label, who can then escalate the case to Spotify for review.
🧠 Why Is This Important?
Because in these situations, the burden of proof is on the artist or their team. If you're unable to justify how your streams were generated, Spotify may take action such as:
Withholding royalties 💰
Removing tracks or albums from the platform 🎵
Disabling your artist profile entirely 🚫
🎯 In Summary:
✔️ Only genuine user listens are valid
✔️ Avoid “quick fix” streaming services at all costs
✔️ If your promotion was legitimate, document everything and report it to your distributor