5 Types of Artificial Music Streaming: How to Avoid Them

Artificial music streaming may seem like a shortcut to success, but it can destroy your career before it even begins. Learn the most common scams, how to spot them, and the right way to grow your audience.

5 Types of Artificial Music Streaming: How to Avoid Them

by Randi Zimmerman via Symphonic Blog

Contrary to popular belief, artificial streaming isn’t just a bad look on the individual participating in it. These fraudulent practices hurt the entire music community, minimizing the efforts of genuine artists, making data unreliable, and undermining the integrity of this incredible industry we call home. That’s why it’s so important to know what you’re up against to ensure you steer clear of fraudsters and build your audience the right way. That said, here are the 5 most common artificial streaming methods every artist should be aware of (and avoid). Let’s dive in…

Bot Streams

Bot streams are one of the most common forms of artificial streaming. These are generated by automated software programs designed to rack up streams on a track, usually running 24/7 to artificially inflate your numbers. At first glance, it might seem like an easy way to boost your stats and attract industry attention… but don’t be fooled. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have systems in place to detect fraudulent activity, and they’re constantly improving. If your account is flagged for bot streams (or any of these methods, actually), your music could be removed from the platform, streams erased, or worse, your account will be permanently suspended.

Beyond the personal risks, bot streams damage the industry as a whole. They create an uneven playing field, pushing authentic artists to the margins while fake streams take the spotlight. In addition, they make data unreliable, skewing metrics that labels, managers, and platforms rely on to identify real talent.

Don’t fall for services that promise quick, cheap streams. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. Genuine growth takes time, but it’s the only path to not only a sustainable career but a meaningful one.

Playlist Payola

Playlist payola is another shady practice that involves paying playlist curators under the table to secure a spot on their playlists. It typically works by an artist or their team paying intermediaries, agencies, or curators directly to place their songs in high-traffic playlists. These deals are often hidden in vague “promotion packages” that promise streams and exposure but don’t always clarify the source. In many cases, these playlists include fake listeners or bot streams, tying Payola to even more fraudulent activity.

A lot of the time, artists see services like these offered online and fall into their traps completely on accident, unaware of the fraudulent activity behind it all. To make sure they don’t fool you, be sure to look out for these tell-tale signs:

• Unrealistic Promises: If a service guarantees a specific number of streams or playlist placements, that’s a red flag. Organic growth can’t be guaranteed.
• Lack of Transparency: Legitimate playlist pitching services will share details about the curators they pitch to. If a service keeps things vague or avoids giving specifics, definitely steer clear.
• Overnight Success Claims: Genuine playlist placements take time. If someone promises instant results, it’s probably not legit.
• High Price Tags with No Guarantee: Be wary of services charging crazy fees for unclear results. Reputable companies focus on connections, not pay-for-play schemes.

If you get caught up in something like this, your music could be removed from the playlist, your streams erased, and your account flagged. Plus, platforms have been cracking down on shady playlists more than ever, so even the curators themselves aren’t safe.

Instead of going down this path, focus on pitching to reputable, organic playlists. Take the time to build relationships with curators and seek opportunities that truly value your music, not just your wallet.

Fake Accounts

This one is exactly what it sounds like, fake profiles created to stream your music on repeat, usually through services that promise quick growth. These accounts do inflate your numbers, but they don’t lead to real fans, engagement, or revenue. To avoid falling for these scams, always research promotion services thoroughly and check their reviews. As always, be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed streams for a fee or results that seem too good to be true.

At the end of the day, authentic strategies take longer… but it’s always worth it to build a loyal audience and protect your good reputation in the industry.

Streaming Farms

Imagine a warehouse packed with phones and computers, all streaming the same song on repeat. That’s a streaming farm. These operations might boost your numbers in the short term, but they’re as fake as it gets. Streaming platforms can easily detect this activity, and when they do, your streams vanish, your account gets flagged, and your reputation takes a hit.

Even worse, streaming farms don’t build fans, they build empty stats. Your success should be about real people connecting with your music, not machines inflating your ego. Instead, invest in strategies that grow an engaged audience who’ll stick with you for the long haul.

Bot Streams

Bot streams are basically fake listeners on autopilot, aka software programs designed to play your tracks over and over. Let’s be real, bots don’t buy merch, come to your shows, or hype you up to their friends. They’re just empty stats. Yeah, your numbers go up, but what’s the point? It’s a major risk that could even get you banned from streaming platforms. In the time it takes you to figure out how to fake your streams, you could be spending time finding real, honest ways to boost your streams and get more fans.

Keep in mind that if a service promises “guaranteed streams” or unrealistically fast growth, that’s your cue to back away. Whether you get wrapped up in these services by accident or not, the consequences are the same regardless. That’s why it’s so important to stay informed about topics like these and move accordingly.

In Conclusion…

Let’s face it… There’s no way to suddenly gain thousands of dedicated monthly listeners overnight. There are, however, tons of legitimate ways to make it happen over time. Remember, nobody does this thing alone. You need a team behind you to really push your music as far as it can go. That said, Symphonic offers legitimate (and awesome) marketing services to help independent artists just like you make their goals a reality. From elevated branding, marketing strategy guidance, social content creation and so much more, we’ve got your back. // To check out our additional marketing services, click here.

It’s up to you to stay vigilant against fraudulent practices like these, but we’re always here to lend a helping hand with up-to-date information here on our blog. In the meantime, good luck! With your newfound knowledge to guide the way, you’ll be just fine.