Artificial Streaming and how it affects you
Avoiding Artificial Streaming Notices
To prevent future Spotify Artificial Streaming Notices, please be cautious with any paid services that add songs to playlists or promise guaranteed streams through "marketing services."
It's likely that you, or someone you work with, used one of these marketing services or was added to one of these playlists. It's also likely you didn't know the marketing service (or playlist) that you paid for was generating fraudulent streams.
Please note that this affects tracks from all distributors. It has nothing to do with DistroBuddy or DistroDirect.
We are just passing along the information provided to us by Spotify and we haven't been given any additional information from Spotify other than what has already been provided.
What DistroBuddy is recommending
DistroBuddy maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against artificial streaming (also known as Streaming Fraud or botting).
This includes any use of bots, click farms, paid ‘guaranteed streams,’ fake playlist placements, or other methods that artificially inflate play counts.
Such activity violates our Terms of Service and the policies of streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and others. If artificial streaming is detected on a release:
• Royalties from the affected streams will be forfeited.
• The release may be removed from platforms.
• Further account restrictions or termination may apply and/ or a fine starting $7 per song taken from your DistroWallet.
We strongly advise against any promotional service that promises guaranteed streams, playlist placements, or follower growth. These almost always involve prohibited methods and place your entire catalog at risk.
Focus instead on organic promotion, authentic fan engagement, legitimate playlist pitching, social media marketing, and content strategies that drive real listeners. DistroBuddy is committed to supporting genuine artist growth while protecting the integrity of the streaming ecosystem.”
For more information visit the Terms of Service
(https://distro.distrobuddy.com/terms-of-service)
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