Artificially Generated Streams: What You Need to Know
By Motiva Groove Team
Artificially generated streams have become a growing problem in the digital music industry and require special attention, in order to mitigate the issue and hold space for honest music artists, producers, composers, and others.
Artificial streams and sales may be generated through fake accounts or hacked existing accounts, by using automated bots or computer scripts to automate streams, as well as recycling audio files in multiple releases or using "fake artists".
There's an ongoing fight against such activities with the use of advanced methods, software tools, data models, and plenty more. Furthermore, it doesn't stop there as participants in such practices can be legally prosecuted for fraud.
Some common signs of artificial streaming may include unusual spikes in-stream numbers, user activity, or suspicious content created solely for the purpose of artificial streaming.
All streams identified as artificial streams are excluded from the pro-rata calculation.
How to Protect Yourself
To ensure you as our client don't accidentally associate yourself with such activities, there are a couple of things we strongly recommend:
Be vigilant of third-party promotion services guaranteeing unrealistic numbers of streams, sales or any level of success that isn't reached organically. Any "pay-for-play" scheme you could be offered isn't a legitimate way to increase streams and any valid promotion service won't offer it. Being involved with such shady service providers might cut your music distribution short, which is something neither of us wants.
Building a strong social media presence isn't easy, we know, but it's the safest route to take to ensure success for your music business, the right way! Content creation, promotion, targeted marketing, strong brand awareness, etc. Those are the only true pillars of big streams and revenue numbers.
Make sure not to market your music with the names of artists you haven't asked for consent prior to the release. The artists in question would have grounds for legal action, as well as your image being tainted in the midst of it all.
When choosing payment methods, refrain from using cryptocurrencies and such assets. We know they're the latest big trend and are here to stay, however, there is still a high level of suspicion raised around them in the music industry. That's why we suggest the good ole Bank Account or PayPal.
Make sure your release files are top quality when it comes to audio formatting! Unusual distortions, abruptly cut audio, very short tracks, mismatching metadata and recycled audio or cover arts, etc. Those are just a couple of things you should avoid when uploading your music, quality is always the way to go!
Stay safe and keep your music distribution legitimate. If you have any questions about artificial streaming, don't hesitate to contact our support team.