Don’t Put Your Music at Risk
As your trusted partner, we want to take a moment to warn you about deceptive advertisements we've recently seen for illegitimate music promotion services.
Third parties that promise playlist placements or a specific number of streams in exchange for compensation often use illegitimate practices without your knowledge. These services can jeopardize your hard work, resulting in withheld streams or royalties, or even the 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.), they may permanently remove your entire catalog.
Common Examples of Scams
Digital Bots: These are automated programs that artificially inflate play counts, making it seem like your music is more popular than it actually is.
Click Farms: Companies employ large numbers of low-paid workers to click on your music or follow your accounts, creating a false sense of engagement.
Fake Playlists: Some services offer placement in "popular" playlists, but these lists are often filled with bots or inactive accounts, providing no real value or exposure.
Paid Reviews: Paying for positive reviews or ratings can also fall under deceptive practices and can lead to penalties from streaming platforms.
Guaranteed Streams: Any service that guarantees a specific number of streams in exchange for money is likely using illegitimate methods to achieve these numbers.
How to Protect Yourself
Do Your Research: Look for reviews and testimonials from trusted sources. Legitimate promotion services will have a track record of helping artists without resorting to shady tactics.
Ask Questions: Don't hesitate to ask potential promotion services about their methods. If they are vague or unwilling to explain how they achieve their results, it's a red flag.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest information and guidelines from your streaming partners. Knowing what to look out for can help you avoid falling victim to these scams.
For more information, check out these resources: