Brandon Fletcher
Spotify is launching a new feature to verify artist pages, enhancing the credibility of musicians on its platform.
On Thursday, Spotify announced that it will grant a “Verified by Spotify” badge to artists who adhere to the platform’s policies, maintain a consistent listener base, and showcase a clearly identifiable presence both online and offline. This initiative aims to establish trust between artists and listeners, ensuring that fans can easily recognize who is behind the music they love.
This new feature is part of Spotify’s efforts to tackle a growing concern: AI-generated music. The rise of AI in music production has raised questions about authenticity and originality, creating challenges for both artists and listeners. The issue gained significant attention last year when an entirely AI-generated band named The Velvet Sundown amassed a million streams, sparking outrage among fans who felt misled.
A survey conducted by Deezer revealed that a significant majority of listeners struggle to distinguish between AI-generated music and tracks created by human artists. In fact, the survey indicated that 80% of respondents desired clear labeling of AI-generated music, highlighting a demand for transparency within the industry. This underscores the necessity for platforms to address the growing prevalence of AI in music.
Spotify’s initiative reflects the company’s commitment to its previous promises made after the Velvet Sundown incident. The streaming giant previously announced its intent to establish a “new industry standard” for AI disclosures in music credits, emphasizing the need for clear identification of music origins.
As Spotify stated on Thursday, “In the AI era, it’s crucial to trust the authenticity of the music you listen to.” This move positions Spotify as a leader in the fight for transparency, though it also finds itself in a competitive landscape.
Other platforms are taking steps to address similar challenges. For example, Deezer reported that 44% of its daily uploads are now AI-generated songs, and it has been actively tagging these tracks for months. Similarly, Apple Music introduced optional labeling for AI-generated content in March, although the effectiveness of this initiative is uncertain, as the decision to apply the label rests with the distributor.
The light green checkmark icon and “Verified by Spotify” badges are set to roll out over the next few weeks. Spotify aims to verify over 99% of artists that listeners actively search for during this initial launch. Therefore, if you don’t see a badge next to a niche artist you enjoy, it doesn’t automatically indicate they are an AI creation.
While some platforms have decided to ban AI music, Spotify’s initiative hints at a broader acceptance of AI-generated music on its platform. Initially, profiles that appear to represent primarily AI-generated or AI-persona artists will not qualify for the verification badge, although future changes may alter this policy.
Spotify acknowledges that the concept of artist authenticity is increasingly complex and rapidly evolving in today’s music landscape, and they are committed to refining their approach as the situation develops.
Daniel Mercer
