Streaming Fraud: Guidelines for Submission Success

The digital music landscape has transformed how artists share their work with the world, offering unprecedented opportunities to reach global audiences through streaming platforms. However, with this accessibility comes a growing challenge: music streaming fraud. Streaming fraud threatens the integrity of platforms, undermines artist earnings, and erodes trust with fans.

In response, global digital streaming platforms (DSPs) like Spotify, Apple Music, and others, are keeping an increasingly watchful eye on content submissions and continue to evolve stricter guidelines to combat fraud and elevate content quality. For aspiring musicians, understanding these changes is critical to ensuring your music not only reaches its intended audience but also thrives in a competitive market.

These changes aim to protect platforms, artists, listeners, and industry credibility by placing new responsibilities on musicians to ensure compliance. For aspiring artists, navigating this landscape can be daunting, but with the right strategies, you can improve your odds of submission success.

Continuing from our overview post about new DSP submission guidelines, this post focuses on how to avoid fraudulent activities and optimize the chances of submission success. Let's dive in.

Understanding Streaming Fraud

Streaming fraud includes a range of deceptive practices designed to manipulate platform access and streaming metrics for financial gain or visibility. Distorted streaming metrics create a false sense of popularity, which can mislead labels, promoters, and fans about an artist’s true reach.

Streaming fraud doesn't just affect platforms; it directly harms artists. Some industry estimates suggest 10-30% of streaming activity may be fraudulent, costing artists millions in lost revenue annually. Fake streams divert royalties from legitimate creators, as some platforms distribute earnings from a shared pool based on stream counts.

Platforms are taking this problem seriously. Confirmed fraud cases now face serious consequences, including withheld royalties and potential legal repercussions.

Streaming Fraud: Key Problem Areas

Here are some specific areas DSPs are focused on cleaning up:

1. Rights and Ownership

Streaming platforms are adopting stricter "Know Your Artists" (KYA) verification protocols to ensure only legitimate rights holders upload content. Protocols include metadata cross-referencing, ownership verification, and identifying the use of unlicensed beats and samples.

Before submitting a track, ensure you have full legal rights to your music. This includes master recordings, compositions, and any samples or collaborations. Use contracts to document permissions from co-writers, producers, or featured artists.

This also includes content from audio libraries obtained under non-exclusive licenses. While you can legally use this material to create music, you need exclusive commercial rights to avoid DSP fraud detection.

Also, make sure proper documentation is secured and available to meet KYA requirements and prove ownership. Failing to properly clear rights can lead to your track being removed or even legal action.

2. Artificial Streaming

Avoid third-party stream-boosting services that use bot farms or pay-for-play schemes to increase visibility. This might seem like a clever shortcut, especially for new artists seeking visibility, but it's a bad idea. These services are easily detected by fraud algorithms and can lead to penalties — including account bans.

Platforms are investing heavily in AI-driven systems to identify suspicious streaming patterns, such as sudden spikes in streams from unverified accounts or repetitive plays from the same IP addresses. It's not worth the risk.

Instead, focus on organic growth through legitimate marketing strategies, such as social media campaigns, playlist pitching via SubmitHub, or collaborations with influencers. Building authentic engagement with fans is a far more valuable long-term solution than the quick fix of inflated numbers.

3. AI Tools

AI-generated music is on the rise, but misuse can veer into fraud territory. If you're using AI tools to create tracks, just don't. AI music is bad for artists, and DSPs are rejecting these tracks anyway. They are deploying copyright detection algorithms to flag AI-generated tracks that mimic protected works or otherwise show signs of AI origin.

While it's fine to leverage the power of AI for mastering, production, and other technical processes, don't use it for anything creative (e.g., writing, composition, melodies, etc.). Instead, focus on creating unique music that resonates with listeners and reflects your authentic artistic vision. Nobody wants to hear unfiltered AI slop.

Additional Tips to Ensure Successful Submission

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when organizing your submissions to DSPs.

1. Prioritize Accurate Metadata

Metadata is the backbone of your track submission. Inaccurate or incomplete metadata (e.g., misspelled artist names, incorrect genres, or missing ISRC codes) can lead to rejections or misattribution, potentially flagging your submission as suspicious. Always double-check details like track titles, album art, and release dates before you submit.

2. Know Platform Policies

Stay informed about each platform's submission guidelines and fraud policies. Review platform terms of service and seek guidance from industry resources like Music Ally to stay compliant.

3. Work With an Experienced Distributor

Distributors play a vital role in guiding musicians through this complex landscape. Partnering with a trusted distributor can help ensure music not only meets platform standards but also resonates with listeners.

Always check your distributor’s guidelines and distribution requirements as these should be up-to-date with global DSP policies. For more insights into optimizing your music for distribution, connect with Sugo Music Group.

Ditch Streaming Fraud, Be Original

While enhanced fraud prevention measures may seem restrictive, they create a fairer ecosystem for artists committed to authenticity. By focusing on genuine fan engagement — through live performances, social media interaction, and strategic marketing — artists can generate streams without relying on fraudulent shortcuts.

The fight against fraud is reshaping how musicians interact with streaming platforms, demanding greater attention to detail and ethical practices. By verifying ownership, perfecting metadata, avoiding fraudulent services, and partnering with reputable distributors, aspiring artists can successfully meet these new standards.

Continuing this theme in our next post, we’ll check out new guidelines related to album artwork.