he good news? You can prevent it by following ethical practices and steering clear of shady offers. Here's how:
❌ 1. Don’t Use Services That Promise “Guaranteed Streams”
Be cautious of any service offering:
🚫 “10,000 streams in 24 hours”
🚫 “Guaranteed playlist placements”
🚫 “Top chart positions for a fee”
These are often linked to bot traffic or artificial engagement, which violates DSP (Digital Service Provider) policies. Even if you’re unaware, your songs could be flagged or removed.
🔍 2. Always Research Marketing Services Before You Hire Them
Before trusting a promotion agency with your music:
✅ Look for reviews and feedback on social media or forums
✅ Ask for real success stories or testimonials
✅ Question their methods (Do they use ads? Organic promotion? Real curators?)
If they can’t clearly explain how they get results, that’s a major red flag. 🧠📉
📚 3. Use Official Resources and Trusted Platforms
Platforms like Spotify for Artists offer blogs, tutorials, and webinars with real strategies to grow your audience the right way:
📖 Spotify Blog: Tips on gaining real followers
📈 Guides on social media campaigns and paid advertising
🎙️ Real artist stories on building a sustainable career
👂💡 Learning from real success is the best investment you can make.
🧠 4. Promote With Strategy — Not Desperation
It’s not about chasing fake numbers. It’s about building meaningful connections with listeners. Here are some honest growth ideas:
✨ Post valuable content on social media
✨ Share behind-the-scenes stories to connect with fans
✨ Run well-targeted ad campaigns
✨ Collaborate with other independent artists
🎯 In Summary:
✔️ Stay away from “stream-selling” services
✔️ Vet every agency you work with
✔️ Educate yourself using trusted sources like Spotify for Artists
✔️ Focus on authentic, long-term strategies