Spotify tests artist release approval tool to fight misattribution
Spotify is beta testing a feature called Artist Profile Protection that allows artists to review music releases before they appear on their profiles. This initiative aims to address issues of misattribution, particularly exacerbated by the increasing presence of AI-generated tracks.
The feature enables participating artists to approve or decline releases delivered to Spotify. Only approved tracks will contribute to their statistics and be included in user recommendations. Spotify emphasized that protecting artist identity is a high priority, anticipating its full implementation by 2026.
This announcement follows Sony Music’s recent request to remove over 135,000 AI-generated songs that have incorrectly claimed association with its artists. The prevalence of open distribution has facilitated an easier release process for independent artists but has also led to complications, including metadata errors and misrepresentation due to similar artist names.
Spotify noted, “When that happens, it can impact your catalog, your stats, your Release Radar, and how fans discover your music.” The company added that one of the top requests from artists has been for greater visibility before music appears under their names.
While the new feature may not be necessary for every artist, it specifically targets those who have faced recurrent misattributions, have common names, or desire more control over their profiles. Artists involved in the beta program can find this feature within their “Spotify for Artists” settings on both desktop and mobile platforms. By enabling “Artist Profile Protection,” artists will receive notifications whenever music is delivered under their name for their approval.