Artificial Streaming Fraud in the Digital Music Industry: What it is and How to combat it

What is artificial streaming fraud?

Streaming fraud refers to any action aimed at manipulating the number of plays on digital platforms through non-organic methods, such as bots, automated scripts, or fraudulent strategies to inflate play counts. This distorts the market, diverting revenue that should belong to legitimate content creators and professionals.

Common Methods of Artificial Streaming Fraud

Artificial streaming fraud is a constantly evolving landscape, with new tactics emerging all the time. However, some of the most common methods include:

• Botnets: These are networks of computers infected with malware that can be used to generate fake streams on a massive scale.
• Streaming Manipulation Services: These companies offer to boost play counts for artists by using various artificial means, such as bots or fake accounts.
• Account Hijacking: This involves hackers gaining access to legitimate user accounts and using them to stream certain tracks repeatedly.
• Playlist Manipulation: Some playlist curators artificially inflate the popularity of certain songs by generating fake streams, often in exchange for payment.

Impact of fraud on the music industry

Artificial streaming has serious consequences for the music industry:

• Distorted royalties: Fraudulent streaming inflates play counts, altering revenue distribution and affecting creators who generate legitimate plays.
• Manipulation of trends: Songs boosted by fraudulent streams can occupy spaces on charts or in recommendation algorithms, displacing genuine content.
• Loss of user trust: Consumers may lose trust in streaming platforms and the industry if they perceive that charts and trends are manipulated.

The High Stakes of Streaming Fraud: Legal and Reputational Fallout

Artificial streaming fraud doesn’t just drain wallets; it can have devastating legal and reputational repercussions.

Platform Bans and Penalties: Streaming services are increasingly cracking down on fraudulent activity. Detection can lead to severe consequences, including content removal, account suspension, withholding of royalties, and even permanent bans from the platform.

Legal Liability: Artists and labels engaging in fraudulent streaming practices may face legal action. This can include breach of contract lawsuits from distributors, labels, or rights organizations, potentially resulting in significant financial penalties and legal fees.

Brand Damage: The reputational damage associated with artificial streaming can be irreparable. Being exposed for manipulating streams can destroy an artist’s credibility, erode fan trust, and make it incredibly difficult to build a genuine and sustainable career.

Measures to combat artificial streaming fraud

Streaming platforms and distributors have implemented new strategies to mitigate this issue, ensuring a fairer ecosystem for all involved. In 2024, Spotify introduced a new royalty model designed to combat artificial streaming fraud. This innovative approach marks a significant step toward promoting fairness and support within the digital music industry.

Some of the most notable actions include:

• Charging for fraudulent streams – Advanced detection systems have been implemented to identify artificial plays and penalize those responsible by imposing additional fees on labels and distributors involved in fraudulent content. This measure discourages bad actors and helps offset financial losses caused by these activities.
• Minimum play threshold for royalties – Some platforms now require a minimum number of annual streams before a track qualifies for royalty payments. Spotify, for example, introduced a threshold to ensure that royalties are directed toward tracks with genuine engagement.
• Regulation of noise tracks and non-musical content – Specific requirements, such as minimum track duration, have been put in place to prevent the system from being exploited through functional sounds or noise tracks. Deezer, for instance, has removed non-musical content from its royalty system and redirected funds to “real artists.”
• User-centric payment systems – Some platforms are testing new payment models to better combat fraud. Deezer introduced a system that prioritizes real fans, limiting the number of streams per user that contribute to royalty payouts.
• Fan-powered royalties – SoundCloud’s Fan-Powered Royalties model helps reduce the impact of fraudulent activities by ensuring revenue is distributed based on authentic fan engagement rather than manipulated streaming numbers.
• Collaboration and data sharing – Platforms are recognizing the importance of industry-wide cooperation in fighting fraud. Amazon Music, for example, has partnered with major labels like UMG to enhance fraud detection and combat illegally AI-generated content.

By adopting these measures, streaming platforms are taking significant steps toward creating a more transparent and equitable music industry for artists, labels, and fans alike.

How to avoid falling into artificial streaming fraud

For artists, record labels, and distributors, it is essential to avoid practices that may lead to penalties. Some recommendations include:

• Avoid suspicious services: Be wary of companies promising plays, playlist placements, or rapid growth on digital platforms in exchange for payment.
• Monitor play data: Regularly check play metrics to identify unusual activity spikes that may indicate fraud.
• Report suspicious activities: If anomalies are detected, it is advisable to inform distributors or the streaming platform in question to avoid penalties.

SonoSuite’s Commitment to Combating Artificial Streaming Fraud

At SonoSuite, we recognize the serious threat that artificial streaming poses to the music industry. That’s why we’ve implemented a multi-faceted approach to combat fraud and protect our users:

• Proactive Prevention: Our Quality Control and Post Distribution Operations team actively reviews content to identify and prevent potentially fraudulent activities. This includes scrutinizing releases for suspicious patterns, such as generic content, irregular streaming activity, and inconsistencies in artist profiles.

• Fraud Detection and Reporting: We provide users with comprehensive tools to monitor and report suspicious activity. Our platform generates detailed artificial streaming reports, which include information on user IDs, labels, tracks, and services, empowering users to take action against fraudulent behavior.

• Clear Policies and Guidelines: We maintain a clear and comprehensive Anti-fraud Policy that outlines our commitment to preventing and addressing fraudulent activities. This policy provides users with clear guidelines on acceptable practices and the potential consequences of violating them.

• Collaboration and Support: We actively collaborate with DSPs and industry partners to share information and develop effective strategies to combat fraud. We also provide dedicated support to our users, assisting them in navigating any concerns or challenges related to artificial streaming.
  

By combining proactive prevention, comprehensive reporting, clear policies, and collaborative efforts, SonoSuite is dedicated to creating a secure and transparent environment for music distribution. We believe that by working together, we can protect the integrity of the music ecosystem and ensure a fairer future for all artists, labels, and distributors.

A fairer future for the music industry

Artificial streaming fraud is a challenge for the music industry, but with stricter detection and regulation measures, it is possible to ensure that revenues reach the artists and professionals who truly deserve them. Collaboration between distributors, record labels, and streaming platforms is key to preserving the integrity of the music ecosystem and fostering sustainable and fair growth for all content creators.

By working together and embracing innovative solutions, we can create a fairer and more sustainable music industry for all.

Contact us for a demo and discover how Sonosuite can optimize your music distribution while ensuring its security.