Artificial Streaming: Fees and Consequences

Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube are now actively penalizing fraudulent streaming behavior to discourage the manipulation of play counts . Since April 2024, Spotify began imposing a €10 monthly charge per track when artificial streaming is detected. 

SINFONIASUBLIME passes these charges to artists or rights holders by debiting their account balance or payment method in their local currency. 

A detailed invoice and notification email listing affected tracks will also be sent.

Additionally, Spotify may exclude fraudulent streams from official sales and public play counts, even if they still appear in tools like Spotify for Artists.

SINFONIASUBLIME categorizes streaming fraud under terms such as “artificial streaming,” “streaming manipulation,” or “abnormal store-end behavior.” This involves deliberately inflating streams, follows, downloads, or playlist placements by using bots, scripts, or promotion services that guarantee illicit growth.

These practices often violate streaming platform policies and can misdirect royalty payments and algorithmic placement benefits.

Using deceptive means to boost your numbers diminishes royalties for artists with legitimate streams. Systems may detect anomalies and flag your content, resulting in removal from editorial playlists, playlists, search results, and overall charts—with long-term reputational damage.

• The tracks identified with extensive fraudulent activity may be removed from all streaming and download platforms. Once removed, they cannot be re-uploaded or redistributed via SINFONIASUBLIME or streaming services.

• Depending on the severity and volume of detected activity, SINFONIASUBLIME reserves the right to suspend or cancel your entire account, freeze withdrawals, or restrict access to future releases.

Even without direct involvement, artists may be held responsible if a third-party or promotion service illicitly increased their plays. SINFONIASUBLIME states clearly: you’re liable for any fraudulent activity linked to your music, regardless of intent or awareness.

Penalties are assessed on a per-track, per-month basis. For example:

• If one track is flagged in a given month: you’ll be charged €10.

• If five tracks are flagged in that month: that’s €50.

• If the same track is flagged across multiple months, the fee recurs each month until it stops appearing on the fraud report.

SINFONIASUBLIME explicitly discourages using services that promise streams, followers, or playlist placements in exchange for payment. If a promotion seems too good to be true, it's best to avoid it. The risks—royalty loss, removal, account termination — far outweigh any temporary benefits.

1. Don't pay for guaranteed streams or playlist placement — these services often rely on bots or fraudulent methods.

2. Vet any promotion partner carefully.

3. Use legitimate tools like Spotify’s submission features, artist tools, or official promotion services.

4. Monitor your analytics for unusual spikes and contact SINFONIASUBLIME or platform support if flagged.

5. Stay informed by reviewing SINFONIASUBLIME Support center and official resources regularly.

Useful Links

https://artists.spotify.com/blog/modernizing-our-royalty-system

https://artists.spotify.com/artificial-streaming

https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/end-user-agreement/#9-user-guidelines