Fake Streaming is increasingly under the spotlight on all platforms. What once faced moderate control has now become a full-scale battle, with companies using AI systems to monitor and eliminate fake streams and profiles, but not all AI systems are just for detection, Spotify for example uses AI Playlists to help artists. Beyond skewing listening data, fake streams do not bring active or engaged listeners to the artist’s music. The only solution is to avoid this type of promotion and instead focus on a proper marketing campaign. Let’s take a look at the reasons why it is absolutely necessary to avoid fake streams:
1. Risk of Being banned by Platforms
Major streaming platforms like Spotify use sophisticated algorithms to detect suspicious activity, such as fake streams. If they discover you’re gaining fake plays, they can penalize you by removing your account and tracks.
2. No Real Value for Your Career
Fake streams won’t bring you real fans. While the numbers might look impressive, you’re not building a genuine audience that supports your music. Artists grow through real engagement, such as comments, shares, and returning listeners.
3. Long-Term Financial Loss
Investing in playlists with fake streams might seem like a shortcut, but it doesn’t provide sustainable financial returns. Fake plays don’t convert into concert ticket sales, merchandise, or other revenue streams that come from authentic fans.
4. Damage to Your Reputation
Artists who rely on practices like fake streaming risk losing credibility in the music industry. Industry professionals, such as labels, managers, and promoters, are aware of this phenomenon and may avoid working with artists involved in unethical activities.
5. Distorted Data and Future Strategies
Streaming data is essential for analyzing your career trajectory. By using fake streams, you’ll end up with skewed data, making it difficult to assess which songs are truly performing well and which promotional strategies to adopt in the future.
What can you do?
You can rely on agencies to campaign for you via social (Meta Ads) or Google Ads, targeting the right audience and bringing the right people to listen to your songs. The numbers will definitely be lower, but you have to think that those are real people who can really like you, and that means they will actively listen to your music and your upcoming releases. With our PRO PLAN we also offer this service, please contact us for more information!
