Have you received an artificial streaming warning from DistroKid? If so, you might be wondering whether your music is about to be removed from Spotify, your royalties will disappear, or your distribution account could be suspended.

Artificial streaming warnings can be worrying, especially if you’ve never knowingly purchased fake streams or used bots to promote your music.

The good news is that receiving a warning doesn’t automatically mean your DistroKid account will be closed. However, it does mean that suspicious streaming activity has been identified, and you should take the notification seriously.

Here’s what a DistroKid artificial streaming warning means, why you might have received one, and what you can do to protect your music.

What Is a DistroKid Artificial Streaming Warning?

A DistroKid artificial streaming warning is a notification informing an artist that Spotify has identified artificial streaming activity associated with one or more of their tracks.

According to DistroKid’s official support documentation, receiving an artificial streaming notice means Spotify has informed DistroKid that the majority of streams on one or more tracks have been identified as artificial.

DistroKid then passes that information to the affected artist.

Artificial streaming, sometimes called bot streaming or streaming fraud, refers to plays that don’t represent genuine listening activity.

These streams may be generated through automated software, manipulated playlists, click farms or other methods designed to increase play counts artificially.

Importantly, receiving a warning doesn’t necessarily mean that you personally purchased fake streams.

Your music could have been affected by a third-party promotional service, suspicious playlist activity or someone attempting to generate streams without your permission.

However, streaming services can still take action against affected recordings, regardless of whether the artist was directly responsible.

Why Did DistroKid Send Me an Artificial Streaming Warning?

There are several reasons you might receive an artificial streaming notice.

1. You used a music promotion service promising guaranteed streams

One of the most common causes of artificial streaming is the use of third-party promotional companies.

Some services advertise packages promising results such as:

• 10,000 Spotify streams for a fixed price.
• Guaranteed placement on popular Spotify playlists.
• Thousands of new monthly listeners.
• Guaranteed Spotify followers.
• Rapid streaming growth through promotional campaigns.

Although these offers might appear legitimate, some providers use automated systems or manipulated playlists to generate the promised results.

Spotify prohibits services that guarantee streams or playlist placements in exchange for payment.

Even if the promotional company claims its streams come from real listeners, that doesn’t guarantee the traffic is legitimate.

2. Your music was added to a suspicious Spotify playlist

Artists don’t always control which playlists feature their music.

An independent playlist curator could add your song to a playlist that uses artificial streaming activity to inflate its popularity.

This means your music could potentially receive suspicious streams even if you never paid for playlist placement.

Spotify acknowledges that third parties sometimes generate artificial streams without an artist’s knowledge or consent.

If your music has suddenly appeared on an unfamiliar playlist, particularly one generating an unusually large number of streams, it’s worth investigating.

3. You experienced an unexplained increase in streams

A sudden increase in Spotify streams isn’t automatically evidence of fraud.

Songs can experience legitimate spikes after appearing in viral videos, receiving radio airplay or gaining traction on social media.

However, Spotify identifies certain patterns as potential indicators of artificial streaming.

These include:

• Unexpected increases in streams followed by sudden drops.
• Large numbers of streams from unfamiliar locations.
• Unusual traffic from playlists or other listening sources.
• Significant increases in followers without a clear explanation.

Spotify uses multiple signals to identify suspicious activity. An unusual spike alone doesn’t prove artificial streaming occurred.

4. Someone else promoted your music without your knowledge

Sometimes an artist’s manager, label, promotional agency or another third party may arrange a campaign without explaining exactly how it works.

If that campaign uses fraudulent methods, the resulting streams could put the artist’s recordings at risk.

Artists should therefore understand how their music is being promoted, even when another person or company is responsible for marketing.

What Happens After a DistroKid Artificial Streaming Warning?

The consequences depend on the severity of the activity and the actions taken by Spotify and DistroKid.

Not every warning results in an immediate takedown.

However, possible consequences include:

Your artificial streams may be removed

Spotify works to identify and exclude illegitimate streams from public streaming totals and charts.

You might notice that your streaming numbers decrease after suspicious activity has been identified.

In some cases, streams may still appear in parts of Spotify for Artists even though they have been excluded from public totals or royalty calculations.

Your royalties may be withheld

Spotify doesn’t pay recording royalties for streams it identifies as artificial.

If your song generated suspicious streams, the royalties associated with those plays may be removed or withheld.

This doesn’t necessarily mean every legitimate royalty earned by your music will disappear.

However, your distributor’s reports may be adjusted to reflect the removal of artificial activity.

Your music could be removed from Spotify

In more serious cases, Spotify or DistroKid may remove an affected release from the platform.

DistroKid specifically warns that music with predominantly artificial streams is at risk of removal.

This could mean losing the availability of a song you’ve spent time promoting.

Your DistroKid account could be suspended

DistroKid’s published policies also allow for more serious account-level action.

Depending on the circumstances, an artist may receive further warnings or have their account closed.

A single notification doesn’t automatically mean your account has been banned, but repeated or serious violations can create a significant risk.

Can DistroKid Charge You for Artificial Streaming?

Yes, financial penalties are possible.

In April 2024, Spotify introduced a policy allowing it to charge labels and music distributors when flagrant artificial streaming is detected on their recordings.

These charges are applied at the distributor level, rather than Spotify automatically billing individual artists.

However, music distributors may pass certain penalties on to their users, depending on their own policies.

Spotify confirms that distributors may issue warnings, apply penalty fees, remove music or suspend accounts following artificial streaming reports.

This doesn’t mean every artificial streaming warning results in a fee.

If DistroKid notifies you about a charge, review the notification carefully and contact its support team if you need clarification.

What Should You Do if You Receive a DistroKid Artificial Streaming Warning?

If you’ve received an email from DistroKid about artificial streaming, there are several practical steps you should take.

Step 1: Read the warning carefully

Start by checking exactly what the notification says.

Look for any information about affected tracks, Spotify removals, withheld royalties or additional actions you need to take.

Make sure the email genuinely comes from DistroKid rather than a phishing attempt.

You should also check your DistroKid account directly rather than relying on links in an unexpected email.

Step 2: Check your Spotify for Artists analytics

Log into Spotify for Artists and review your recent streaming activity.

Pay particular attention to unusual changes in:

• Daily streams and listeners.
• Geographic locations.
• Playlist activity.
• Sources of streams.
• Follower growth.

Try to identify when suspicious activity might have started.

For example, if your song normally receives 100 streams per day but suddenly receives thousands of streams from a country where you have little established audience, investigate what might have caused the change.

That doesn’t prove the streams are fraudulent, but it gives you useful information to share with your distributor.

Step 3: Review any promotional services you’ve used

Think about every company or individual that has helped promote your music.

Did you purchase playlist promotion? Did an agency promise a certain number of streams? Has anyone offered guaranteed Spotify growth?

If you’re using a service that promises these results, stop using it and request information about its promotional methods.

Keep records of any payments, advertising campaigns and communications with the provider.

These details may help explain suspicious streaming activity.

Step 4: Report suspicious playlists to Spotify

If you discover that your music has been added to a playlist you believe is generating artificial streams, you can report it to Spotify.

Spotify provides a dedicated suspicious playlist reporting tool.

Include relevant information about the playlist and explain why you believe the activity is suspicious.

Reporting a playlist doesn’t automatically reverse a warning or guarantee that Spotify will remove a claim, but it gives the platform information to investigate.

Step 5: Contact DistroKid support

If you believe the warning was issued incorrectly, contact DistroKid directly.

Explain the situation clearly and provide any evidence you have collected.

Useful information might include your song title, ISRC, Spotify link, streaming analytics and details of legitimate promotional campaigns.

DistroKid states that it passes along Spotify’s artificial streaming notices and doesn’t necessarily receive additional information explaining exactly how the activity was identified.

This means support may not be able to provide a detailed breakdown of every suspicious stream.

Nevertheless, contacting your distributor is an important step when you believe your music has been affected unfairly.

Can You Appeal a DistroKid Artificial Streaming Warning?

If you believe your music was incorrectly flagged, you can contact DistroKid support and provide evidence explaining the situation.

However, there isn’t a publicly documented, guaranteed appeal process that automatically removes every artificial streaming warning.

Spotify uses its own systems to identify streaming manipulation, while DistroKid receives information about affected recordings.

If you believe your streams were genuine, provide as much relevant evidence as possible.

For example, you might be able to show that an unexpected increase in streams was associated with a legitimate radio appearance, a viral social media post or a properly managed advertising campaign.

These details may help a review, although they don’t guarantee that Spotify will reverse its decision.

Can DistroKid Remove Your Music Even if You Didn’t Buy Fake Streams?

Yes.

Artificial streaming doesn’t always happen because an artist knowingly attempted to manipulate their numbers.

Spotify recognises that artists can be affected by unwanted third-party activity.

For example, someone could add your song to a playlist that uses bots without asking for your permission.

Unfortunately, the recording could still be identified as receiving artificial streams.

This is why monitoring your Spotify analytics and being selective about music promotion services is so important.

If you believe your music has been affected without your involvement, document the suspicious activity and contact your distributor promptly.

Can You Reupload Music Removed for Artificial Streaming?

DistroKid’s support documentation explains that artists who have had songs removed from Spotify for artificial streaming may be able to upload them again.

According to DistroKid, artists who aren’t using promotional services can reupload affected songs using the same ISRC.

The reuploaded release can receive a new Spotify URI, effectively creating a new listing for the recording.

However, there are some important things to consider.

A new Spotify URI doesn’t guarantee that previous playlist placements, stream counts or other historical information will be preserved.

Reuploading also doesn’t prevent further action if the underlying artificial streaming problem continues.

If your song has been removed, review the reason for the removal and follow DistroKid’s guidance before attempting another upload.

How to Avoid Artificial Streaming Warnings in the Future

Preventing artificial streaming is easier when you focus on reaching genuine listeners.

Here are several ways to reduce your risk.

Avoid guaranteed stream packages

If a company promises 5,000 streams, 10,000 followers or guaranteed playlist placements, treat that as a serious warning sign.

Legitimate music promotion can improve exposure, but it cannot guarantee that a specific number of people will listen to your music.

Research promotional companies

Before paying anyone to promote your releases, find out how they plan to reach listeners.

Ask whether they use advertising, content creation, PR campaigns, social media promotion or other legitimate methods.

Look for independent reviews and previous artist experiences.

Be especially careful about companies that refuse to explain where their traffic comes from.

Use Spotify’s official playlist pitching tools

Spotify for Artists allows eligible artists to pitch unreleased songs for editorial playlist consideration.

This is a legitimate way to introduce your music to Spotify’s editorial team.

Unlike services promising guaranteed placements, submitting a track through Spotify’s official system doesn’t guarantee selection.

Monitor your analytics regularly

Checking Spotify for Artists helps you understand your audience and identify unusual activity.

Pay attention to where listeners come from, which playlists generate streams and how your audience changes over time.

If you notice something suspicious, investigate it before the problem develops further.

Focus on genuine audience growth

There are plenty of ways to promote your music without purchasing streams.

These include social media advertising, collaborations with other artists, independent music blogs, live performances, music videos and direct engagement with listeners.

For more ideas, read RouteNote’s guide on how to promote your music as an independent artist.

Is Artificial Streaming Only a Problem With DistroKid?

No. Artificial streaming is an industry-wide issue that affects music distributors and streaming platforms.

Spotify’s detection systems apply to music regardless of which distributor delivered it.

This means artists using DistroKid, RouteNote, TuneCore, CD Baby or other distribution services can potentially be affected by artificial streaming enforcement.

The important factor is whether the streams represent genuine listener activity.

Changing distributors doesn’t automatically remove a Spotify warning or make previously flagged streaming activity legitimate.

RouteNote also prohibits artificial streaming and may withhold affected royalties, remove content or take account-level action when necessary.

You can learn more about these policies in our guide to what fraud streaming is and how it affects musicians.

Should You Switch From DistroKid to Another Distributor?

Receiving an artificial streaming warning isn’t necessarily a reason to change distributors.

If suspicious activity originated from a promotional service or manipulated playlist, switching distributors won’t fix the underlying problem.

However, if you’re reviewing your distribution arrangements, it may be worth comparing costs, features and available support.

RouteNote offers two music distribution options.

Free Distribution allows artists to release music without upfront or annual distribution fees while retaining 85% of revenue.

Premium Distribution allows artists to retain 100% of the applicable revenue in exchange for paid release fees.

Both options are subject to RouteNote’s moderation requirements and the policies of streaming services.

For a more detailed comparison, read our DistroKid vs RouteNote guide.

DistroKid Artificial Streaming Warning: Frequently Asked Questions

What does an artificial streaming warning from DistroKid mean?

It means Spotify has informed DistroKid that artificial streaming activity has been identified on one or more of your tracks. DistroKid then passes this notification to you.

Will DistroKid delete my account for artificial streaming?

Not necessarily. Receiving a warning doesn’t automatically mean your account will be closed. However, serious or repeated artificial streaming violations can result in music removal or account suspension.

Can I receive a warning if I didn’t buy streams?

Yes. Artificial streaming can sometimes originate from suspicious playlists or third-party activity without the artist’s knowledge. If this happens, contact your distributor and report suspicious playlists to Spotify.

Does DistroKid charge artists for fake streams?

Financial penalties are possible. Spotify charges distributors for certain serious artificial streaming violations, and distributors may apply their own penalty policies. Not every warning automatically results in a fee.

How do I remove an artificial streaming warning?

Contact DistroKid support with details of your affected tracks and any evidence explaining the suspicious activity. There is no guarantee that every warning can be removed.

Can I get my song back on Spotify after artificial streaming?

DistroKid says that artists not using fraudulent promotional services may be able to reupload removed recordings using the same ISRC. However, reuploading doesn’t guarantee restoration of previous streaming data or protection from further enforcement.

How does Spotify detect fake streams?

Spotify uses automated detection systems and other information to identify listening activity that doesn’t reflect genuine user intent. Unusual geographic activity, suspicious listening patterns and manipulated streams can contribute to investigations, although Spotify doesn’t publicly disclose every detection method.

Can I change distributors after an artificial streaming warning?

Yes, artists can generally change music distributors, subject to their agreements and any restrictions affecting their releases. However, switching distributors won’t automatically resolve a streaming-platform policy violation.

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Music From Artificial Streaming

A DistroKid artificial streaming warning should be taken seriously, but it doesn’t automatically mean that you’ve deliberately engaged in streaming fraud.

Suspicious streaming activity can sometimes originate from third-party promotional services or playlists outside an artist’s direct control.

The most important thing is to investigate the warning, review your promotional activity and communicate with your distributor when necessary.

Avoid companies promising guaranteed streams, keep an eye on unusual Spotify activity and focus on building an audience of genuine listeners.

Protecting your music is about more than avoiding penalties. It’s about building a sustainable career supported by real fans and legitimate streaming royalties.

If you’re exploring your music distribution options, create a free RouteNote account and discover how to distribute your music to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and other major streaming platforms.