Spotify tests new tool to stop AI slop from being attributed to real artists

In response to the surge of AI-generated music cluttering streaming platforms, Spotify is piloting a new feature called "Artist Profile Protection." This innovative tool empowers artists to review and approve tracks before they are published on their profiles, ensuring greater control over the music associated with their name. Spotify acknowledged the challenges posed by misattributed music in a recent blog post, stating, "Music has been landing on the wrong artist pages across streaming services, and the rise of easy-to-produce AI tracks has exacerbated the issue. This is not the experience we want for artists, which is why safeguarding their identity is a priority for us moving forward into 2026." With this new feature currently in beta testing, artists can assess releases intended for their profiles and choose to approve or decline them. Only tracks that receive approval will be visible on their profiles, contribute to their streaming statistics, and appear in user recommendations. This announcement follows Sony Music's recent action to remove over 135,000 AI-generated songs that falsely claimed to feature its artists. Spotify highlighted the trade-off of open distribution, which, while advantageous for independent musicians, has led to confusion and errors, such as wrong metadata linking tracks to incorrect artists or attempts by bad actors to exploit artist profiles. The company elaborated, "When such mistakes occur, they can adversely affect an artist’s catalog, statistics, Release Radar, and fans' ability to discover their music. We understand the frustration this causes both artists and their listeners. A common request we’ve received from artists is for more oversight before music is published under their name." Spotify clarified that the new feature is optional and primarily aimed at artists who have faced frequent misattributions, share common names, or desire enhanced management of their profiles. Those participating in the beta will find the feature within their "Spotify for Artists" settings on both desktop and mobile. When they activate "Artist Profile Protection," they will be notified via email whenever new music linked to their name is delivered to Spotify, allowing them to make informed decisions about what appears on their profile.