General Tips & Music Industry

Spotify Removes Streams

The Hidden Battle Against Artists on Streaming Platforms
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 anomal 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. 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. An artist with low save rates might be flagged, but so could one with too many saves. High skip rates or even too low skip rates can raise suspicions. This inconsistency not only baffles artists but also undermines trust in the platform.
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. 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.
• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of updates from Spotify and other streaming platforms regarding their policies on stream detection and removal.
• 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.
• 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.

A Call to Action
We're calling on Spotify to provide clearer guidelines and more transparent communication about their stream purging practices. 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.
Until then, 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. We aim to foster an environment where music can thrive, not merely survive.
For more insights or to share your experience, reach out to us here at SongRocket. Let's work together to ensure that the future of music streaming is one that truly supports the creators at its heart.
At SongRocket we making sure, each list gets checked before boarding, we might have less lists but we check who is behind and do few checks via them before approving any list into our platform.