The biggest music industry news | August 2026 roundup
Spotify’s latest artist and AI updates, YouTube changes coming to creators and a new licensing deal for fan-made music. Plus, Apple Music prepares to label AI-generated content.
Spotify introduces User Notes for playlists
Spotify has launched User Notes, allowing listeners to add personal captions and memories to songs in playlists they own or manage. The notes can explain where someone discovered a track, why it matters to them or the memory attached to it, turning playlists into more personal spaces for music discovery. While the feature won’t directly affect royalties or playlist placement, it could give artists another way to build lasting connections with fans around their music.
Spotify expands Discovery Mode performance reports
Spotify has expanded its Discovery Mode reporting, giving artists more insight into how promotional campaigns affect their audience and streams. The updated reports cover audience growth, long-term engagement and streams, while new campaign and historical lift metrics help artists compare performance with estimated results without Discovery Mode. The additional data gives artists a clearer picture of whether campaigns are reaching new listeners and encouraging actions such as saves and playlist adds.
Spotify and Merlin expand fan-made covers and remixes
Spotify has announced a new licensing agreement with Merlin for its upcoming fan-made covers and remixes feature, bringing more independent artists and labels into the initiative. Eligible rights holders will be able to opt in and allow Premium users to create AI-powered covers and remixes of their music, with Spotify promising credit and compensation for participating artists.
YouTube announces major Partner Program changes
YouTube is making significant changes to its Partner Program from February 2027, including doubling the thresholds for new creators to access advertising and Premium revenue sharing. New applicants will need 8,000 qualified watch hours or 20 million qualified Shorts views, while Shorts creators will need to maintain 10 million qualified views over 90 days to keep earning from Shorts. At the same time, YouTube is introducing additional earning opportunities through Shopping, brand deals, trends and the expansion of Premium Lite.
Spotify will label AI artist personas
Spotify is introducing a new AI Persona badge to identify artist profiles that appear to represent AI-generated identities. Rolling out from September, the labels will distinguish synthetic artist personas from genuine musicians who simply use AI tools as part of their creative process. Spotify also says music from identified AI Personas will be excluded from editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default unless a listener has already chosen to follow the artist.
YouTube changes how it counts public views
YouTube is changing its public view count from August 24, with views now registering as soon as a video starts playing. The update brings long-form videos in line with Shorts, but doesn’t change the metrics used for monetisation or YouTube Partner Program eligibility. The previous measurement will remain available in Analytics under the name “Engaged views”, giving artists and creators a better indication of how many people continued watching. As a result, public view counts may rise faster, but creators will still need to look beyond the headline number to understand audience engagement.
Apple Music will label AI-generated music this year
Apple Music is preparing to make its AI Transparency Tags visible to listeners later this year as “Made With AI” labels. The labels will identify releases where AI has been used to create a material portion of the content, including music primarily generated using platforms such as Suno and Udio. Labels and distributors will be responsible for providing accurate AI information when delivering releases, with the system also covering AI use in areas such as artwork and music videos.
SoundCloud tests direct music sales for artists
SoundCloud is giving artists another way to make money from their music with the beta launch of direct music purchases. The new feature lets selected artists sell downloadable tracks directly from their SoundCloud profiles. Fans can discover a song, listen to it and purchase a copy without leaving the platform. Artists can set their own prices and choose the format they provide, including MP3 and WAV. SoundCloud says it won’t take a commission from sales, meaning artists keep the proceeds from each purchase after applicable fees and taxes.
Instagram First Draft is here to make creating Reels easier
Instagram has introduced First Draft, a new feature that automatically edits video clips into a starting point for a Reel. The idea is simple: help creators spend less time editing and more time creating. For creators and independent artists already juggling music creation, promotion and social media, it could make turning existing footage into social content a little quicker.