A number of deceptive promotion services are actively advertising to artists and labels right now - and we want to make sure you know how to spot them before they cause serious damage to your catalogue.
Spotify has issued the following warning directly to distributors and their clients:
Third parties that promise playlist placements or a specific number of streams in exchange for compensation are likely using illegitimate practices without your knowledge. These services can threaten your hard work, resulting in the potential withholding of streams or royalties, or even complete removal of your catalog from streaming services.
Our streaming partners work diligently to ensure streams are legitimate, meaning they reflect genuine user listening intent. If a service finds that you (or a third party hired by you or on your behalf) have boosted play counts through any automated, deceptive, fraudulent or other invalid means (digital bots, "click farms", payment for placement on playlists, etc.), the service may permanently remove your entire catalog.
If you're in the market for a music promotion service, make sure to do your research before you hire them.
We take this seriously at co:brand, and we want to make sure every client understands what's at stake.
What does this mean for you?
You are responsible for the actions of any third party promoting your music - even if you weren't aware they were using illegitimate methods. The consequences can include withheld royalties, removed releases, or permanent removal of your entire catalogue from streaming platforms.
Warning signs of illegitimate services include:
Guarantees of a specific number of streams
Paid playlist placement promising stream volume
No transparency about how results are delivered
Prices that seem too good to be true
Legitimate promotion services grow audiences through genuine means and will never guarantee stream counts.
Further reading from Spotify
If you have any questions or concerns about a service you're considering, reach out to us and we'll help you assess it.