Unmasking Fake Spotify Playlists: 5 Essential Tips for Artists

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Unmasking Fake Spotify Playlists: 5 Essential Tips for Artists

You have probably heard of playlist scammers with fake streams and deeply complex scams that take money away from legitimate artists, or got scammed yourself? We’ll show you 5 easy ways on how to detect a fake Spotify playlist so you don’t lose your time, your money, or hurt your chances to be discovered on this powerful platform of 172 million of premium subscribers around the world.

At Octiive, we're committed to supporting independent artists and safeguarding them from the pitfalls of the music industry. In this blog post, we're shedding light on the prevalent issue of fake Spotify playlists and offering five crucial tips to help you identify and avoid them.

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1. Caution Against Paying for Playlist Placement

In a surprising revelation from our recent investigations, a concerning pattern emerged. Upon obtaining Excel sheets with contacts of playlist curators, we noticed that a significant number were requesting payments ranging from $10 to $1000 for playlist placement. It's crucial to steer clear of this practice, as it not only hints at potential artificial streams but also poses legal concerns, going against Spotify's policies. Remember, if Spotify detects streaming fraud, there's a risk of your song or entire album being removed from the platform. It's advisable to avoid such risks.

2. Verify the Playlist Curator's Credentials

Take the time to validate the credentials of the playlist curator. Legitimate curators typically have a track record, maintain an online presence, and possess authentic connections within the music industry. Exercise caution when dealing with anonymous or untraceable curators. If a curator's name and email address are provided in the playlist description, it's a good idea to conduct a quick search. If a Google search yields no results for the curator or their contact details, such as a Facebook page or official website, it's a clear warning sign of potentially dubious activity. In such cases, it's wise to move on to the next opportunity.

3. Exercise Caution with Claims of Extensive Networks

Some curators may entice you with boasts of a vast network of agencies or curators managing their playlists, promising exclusive promotion with just a payment. While tempting, it's essential to approach such claims with skepticism. The likelihood of a network having a unique internal mailing list and using top-tier promotion tools is often low. More often than not, what you're paying for could be additional streams that may turn out to be fake. Remember, curators are primarily focused on featuring your songs in their playlists, and offering music promotion services is typically not within their scope of work. It's advisable to steer clear of those who make such offers.

4. Scrutinize the Playlist Name and Description

The name and description play a crucial role in a playlist and should provide a clear idea of whether it's the right place for your songs. If you come across a playlist with an unusual name unrelated to the genre or mood it targets, coupled with a vague or absent description, exercise a high level of suspicion.

5. Evaluate Saves and Followers in Relation to Streams

When a listener loves a song, they tend to play it repeatedly. Consequently, the number of song streams should always surpass the number of playlist followers. It's challenging to achieve a high number of streams with very few saves and followers. If you encounter a playlist with an unusually low number of saves and followers compared to streams, it's advisable to move on to a different one swiftly.

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Empower your music journey with these crucial tips to spot and avoid fake Spotify playlists. At Octiive, we're committed to supporting independent artists like you. Stay informed, stay authentic, and keep creating. Your genuine talent deserves genuine recognition. Octiive is here for your musical journey!