In the past, the number of singles or albums sold was a reliable way to evaluate a musician’s commercial success. That has since changed dramatically. With the rise of consumers streaming music on demand using platforms such as Spotify, the number of times people listen to a song has become one of the main benchmarks for evaluating commercial success.
Musicians can monetize individual songs, which has helped independent musicians gain a toehold in a notoriously competitive industry that can be hard to enter. Creative professionals don’t need an entire album or a studio backing them to start generating revenue from music streaming.
Unfortunately, some people have found ways to manipulate streaming systems for their own enrichment. A recent case involving bots and fake streaming accounts has created pressure on music labels and independent artists alike. Allegations of bot use could potentially complicate a musician’s claim for payment and might even result in the removal of their creations from different platforms.
What the bot controversy involves
A case out of Denmark highlights how people with a little bit of technological knowledge could manipulate music streaming services for personal gain. This case was not the first of its type, but its scope makes it noteworthy.
A man who has since been convicted of criminal fraud created thousands of bots that he programmed to listen to music on Spotify. Specifically, the bots listened to his original compositions, which resulted in the payment of over $290,000 in royalties. He has since been convicted of fraud.
While some producers and marketing companies may view bot streams as a way of establishing a song as worth listening to, streaming services have a very different perspective on the matter. They have begun to crack down on the use of bots and refer more egregious cases out for prosecution.
Those attempting to market their own music or to renegotiate their contracts with agents or labels may need to ensure that they address bots and other questionable means of creating buzz around their creations. The unfortunate reality is that the bad behavior of a few players can affect an entire industry.
Those trying to navigate the entertainment industry may need help evaluating their contracts and planning strategies that don’t endanger their reputation or revenue. Streaming bots are just one example of a tactic that may look effective but may do more harm than good to a musician’s reputation.