Spotify Removes Streams
By SongRocket
The Hidden Battle Against Artists on Streaming Platforms
Posted by SongRocket Team on
At SongRocket, we pride ourselves on being advocates for artists in the ever-evolving digital music landscape. Recently, we've been witnessing a troubling trend that seems to be more than just an anomaly—it's a systemic issue that's threatening the livelihoods of musicians around the globe.
The Silent War Against Artists
In what can only be described as a "stream purge," artists are reporting significant and seemingly arbitrary removal of streams and listeners from their Spotify accounts. This isn't just about a few streams here or there; we're talking about thousands of streams disappearing overnight, without any clear explanation or justification from Spotify.
Artists from various genres have come forward, expressing their frustration and confusion. One artist, who we'll refer to as "Alex," shared a startling experience: despite no recent promotions or releases, half of their monthly streams vanished from Spotify's analytics.
50%+
Streams Lost Overnight
0
Explanations Given
1000s
Artists Affected
This pattern isn't isolated; it's widespread, affecting even those who've engaged in legitimate promotional activities like Spotify Ads, only to see their numbers slashed by 50% without any apparent reason.
The Contradictions and Lack of Transparency
The criteria Spotify uses to detect "artificial" streams appear to be not just secretive but also contradictory. The inconsistency not only baffles artists but also undermines trust in the platform.
Low save rates?
Flagged as suspicious
Too many saves?
Also flagged as suspicious
High skip rates?
Raises suspicion
Too low skip rates?
Also raises suspicion
"If Spotify's own tools show discrepancies when compared to the main platform's numbers, how can they confidently accuse artists of manipulating streams?"
— The question every artist is asking
Spotify's own tools, like the Spotify for Artists dashboard, often show discrepancies when compared to the main platform's numbers, further muddying the waters. If the data from these platforms aren't synchronized, how can Spotify confidently accuse artists of manipulating streams?
The Impact on the Music Community
This isn't just about numbers; it's about the integrity of the music industry. When artists can't rely on the transparency and fairness of streaming platforms, it shakes the foundation of how music is consumed and monetized.
Lost Revenue
Removed streams mean lost royalties. For independent artists, this can be the difference between paying rent and not.
Damaged Credibility
Sudden drops in listener counts raise questions from labels, managers, and fans—even when the artist did nothing wrong.
Algorithm Punishment
Lower stream counts lead to reduced algorithmic recommendations, creating a downward spiral that's hard to recover from.
Mental Health Toll
The stress and uncertainty of unexplained stream losses takes a significant emotional toll on artists already navigating a difficult industry.
The lack of clear communication from Spotify leaves artists in limbo, unsure of how to promote their music without risking punitive action against their accounts.
What's Next for Artists?
At SongRocket, we're committed to supporting artists through these turbulent times. Here's what we suggest:
Legitimate Promotion
Engage in genuine promotion strategies. Use platforms like SongRocket to pitch your music to curated playlists that are actively managed and verified for authenticity. We manually vet every curator before they join our platform.
Stay Informed
Keep abreast of updates from Spotify and other streaming platforms regarding their policies on stream detection and removal. Knowledge is your first line of defense.
Community and Advocacy
Join or form communities where you can share experiences and strategies. Collective voices often lead to change in policy or at least greater transparency from platforms.
Seek Alternatives
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Explore other platforms where your music can be heard and where you might find more artist-friendly policies. Diversify your streaming presence.
A Call to Action
We're calling on Spotify to provide:
- Clearer guidelines on what constitutes "artificial" streams
- Transparent communication before and after stream removal
- An appeals process for artists to contest wrongful removals
- Consistent criteria that don't contradict themselves
The music community deserves better than a silent war waged under the guise of combating "fake streams." Transparency, fairness, and artist support should be at the forefront of any streaming service's mission.
SongRocket's Commitment to Artists
Until the industry changes, SongRocket stands with artists, offering a platform where your music can not only be heard but also celebrated without the fear of sudden, unexplained losses.
At SongRocket, we verify every playlist before it joins our platform. We might have fewer playlists than some competitors, but we check who is behind each one and perform multiple verification checks before approval.
- Manual curator vetting — Every curator is verified by our team
- Playlist authenticity checks — We analyze follower quality and engagement
- Ongoing monitoring — We continuously review curator performance
- Spotify TOS compliance — We operate within platform guidelines
We aim to foster an environment where music can thrive, not merely survive.
Share Your Experience
Have you been affected by unexplained stream removals? We want to hear from you. Together, we can advocate for a fairer streaming ecosystem.
- ✓ Share your story
- ✓ Join the conversation
- ✓ Find real support
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Spotify removing streams from artists?
Spotify claims to remove streams it detects as "artificial" or manipulated. However, many artists report legitimate streams being removed without clear explanation. The criteria for detection remain opaque, and even artists using Spotify's own advertising tools have been affected.
How can I protect my streams from being removed?
Use only legitimate promotion methods—never buy streams or use bot services. Work with verified playlist promotion platforms like SongRocket that manually vet curators. Focus on building genuine engagement with real listeners rather than chasing empty numbers.
Can I appeal if my streams are removed?
Currently, Spotify's appeals process is limited and often unsatisfactory. Many artists report receiving generic responses that don't address their specific situation. This is one of the key areas where we're calling for more transparency and fair process from Spotify.
How does SongRocket ensure playlist legitimacy?
Every curator who applies to join SongRocket goes through a manual vetting process. We verify the person behind the playlist, analyze follower authenticity, check engagement metrics, and perform ongoing monitoring. We may have fewer playlists than some competitors, but quality and safety come first.
Is playlist promotion safe to use?
Legitimate playlist promotion—where you pay for curator consideration, not guaranteed streams—is compliant with Spotify's Terms of Service. The key is working with services that vet their curators and don't guarantee specific stream counts or placements. SongRocket operates fully within these guidelines.
About SongRocket: SongRocket connects independent music makers with listeners around the globe. Our platform enables artists to pitch their music to verified playlist curators, driving organic discovery and sustainable growth. Registered in Switzerland (CHE-137.124.111), we've helped over 50,000 artists build their streaming presence since 2020. We believe in transparency, authenticity, and putting artists first.