Spotify’s blue checkmark is being renamed. Find out what the new “Registered Artist” label means and why Spotify made the change.

Spotify is changing how it labels artists on its platform, replacing the familiar “Verified Artist” blue checkmark with a new term: “Registered Artist.” The update began rolling out on 28 January 2026 and will appear in the About section of artist profiles across Spotify.

Since 2017, the blue checkmark has been used to show that an artist has claimed their profile and is actively managing it through Spotify for Artists. Over time, though, the word “verified” started to mean something different to many listeners. For some, it suggested that Spotify had officially endorsed an artist, confirmed their popularity, or judged their credibility, even though that was never the purpose of the badge.

By switching to the label “Registered Artist,” Spotify is trying to make the meaning of the checkmark easier to understand. The new wording is meant to clearly signal that an artist has registered and is managing their profile, rather than implying any kind of approval, status, or quality ranking. In other words, it’s less about prestige and more about accuracy.

Spotify has also emphasised that the update doesn’t change anything about how the platform works for artists. Visibility in search results, music discovery, royalties, and access to Spotify for Artists tools all remain the same. Artists will still claim profiles, manage their teams, and update their pages exactly as they did before. For most creators, the shift will simply be a change in wording rather than a change in experience.

For listeners, the update may subtly change how they interpret artist profiles. With millions of artists currently displaying the checkmark, Spotify believes the new label will help reduce confusion and make it clearer what the badge actually represents. Rather than suggesting status or legitimacy, it simply confirms that the profile is officially managed.

Spotify is supporting the rollout with a Help Center article that explains the update in more detail and answers common questions about what’s changing and what isn’t. While the visual design of the badge remains relatively understated, the shift in language reflects a broader move toward clearer, more transparent communication on digital platforms.

Overall, the shift from “Verified Artist” to “Registered Artist” might seem small, but it highlights an important point: words matter. By adjusting the label, Spotify is trying to align perception with reality and make its platform easier to understand for both artists and listeners. It’s a subtle update, but one that could shape how people interpret authenticity and identity in the streaming era.

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