We are the music makers https://wearethemusicmakers.co/latest Music tech and AI in music: the news that matters, what we think about it, and a directory of the tools. en-us Sat, 24 Oct 2026 06:30:00 GMT https://wearethemusicmakers.co/learn/playlist-scams-and-fake-streams Playlist scams and fake streams: what Spotify and distributors count as artificial, and what it costs you https://wearethemusicmakers.co/learn/playlist-scams-and-fake-streams Paying a promoter for guaranteed streams or playlist spots is against Spotify's terms, and the penalties land on the artist: lost royalties, removed tracks and a per-track fee your distributor passes on. Here is how Spotify defines artificial streaming, what TuneCore, CD Baby and DistroKid do when a track is flagged, how to spot a scam, and what to do if you get a notice. Sat, 24 Oct 2026 06:30:00 GMT We are the music makers streaming-fraudspotifydistributorsroyaltiesmarketing https://wearethemusicmakers.co/news/2026/09/landr-fake-streams-down-95-percent-distributor-screening LANDR says Spotify-flagged fake streams fell 95% as distributors become the front line on fraud https://wearethemusicmakers.co/news/2026/09/landr-fake-streams-down-95-percent-distributor-screening LANDR says artificial streams flagged by Spotify across its catalogue fell 95% between Q1 2025 and Q2 2026, and it is now screening releases before they reach streaming services. The figure is company-reported with no base disclosed, and it says nothing about honest artists caught by the same filters. Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:30:00 GMT We are the music makers industrystreaming-frauddistributorsspotify