Are Bots, Not Fans, Creating ‘Popular’ Music?
Spotify has long been a controversial platform, but in 2024, it faced increased scrutiny—and even legal action—over poor moderation of bots artificially boost song plays. With over 250 million paid subscribers, streaming on Spotify provides significant validation, revenue, and promotion for a song or artist. However, these metrics can be easily manipulated by bots to drive streams for profit and popularity.
Drake Sues Universal Music Group and Spotify
Recently, Drake took legal action against Universal Music Group and Spotify, alleging that they manipulated streams for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” His lawsuit claims that these companies artificially inflated plays, exposing a major flaw in how music is discovered and promoted on these platforms. If industry leaders can manipulate streams for profit, it raises troubling questions about the fairness and transparency of the music industry as a whole. If the gatekeepers of the industry can control who gains visibility and success, what hope is there for the rest of us?
A Bigger Question: Are Bots, Not Fans, Creating Popular Music?
Many artists now rely on playlisting services that promise ‘organic streams,’ but these often involve having their song added to playlists filled with bots. Setting up a botnet to generate fake Spotify listens is surprisingly easy. In 2013, Peter Filmore, a security consultant, showed how software robots could generate substantial royalties by playing music continuously. He topped the Australian charts with his nonsensical 32-second songs and generated thousands in profit. Others, like the indie band Vulfpeck, have used similar tactics. They released a silent album and encouraged fans to play it on repeat while they slept, raising £20,000 for their tour.
Artistry vs. AI: Is Music Losing Its Soul to Technology?
With the rise of AI in music creation, many are questioning whether the art form is losing its soul as creativity becomes increasingly automated. Is popularity now determined by those who can afford sophisticated AI tools and control the bots? Artists can even be victims of AI manipulation, with their music added to AI-generated playlists without consent, only to receive a strike against their account for fake streams.
What’s at stake is transparency in the music industry? If Drake wins his lawsuit, it could lead to greater accountability in playlisting, promotions, and brand partnerships.
Conclusion: The Future of Organic Listening is Uncertain
As bots become more sophisticated and easier to deploy, the future of genuine, organic music discovery on platforms like Spotify remains in question. While Spotify may need to implement stricter anti-bot measures to curb manipulation, the path forward is still uncertain.