Spotify will soon begin warning listeners when a track was created or edited using artificial intelligence. The update, announced on Thursday (25), is part of a broader effort to boost transparency on the platform and cut down on spam.
According to the company, the new labels will appear even if AI was used only in small parts of the track, such as post-production tweaks. Spotify is working with DDEX, an organization that develops music industry standards, to ensure AI involvement is properly credited. Once submitted by labels, distributors, or partners, AI tags will appear across Spotify’s apps on Android, iOS, desktop, and the web.
“This standard allows artists and rights holders to clearly show where and how AI contributed—whether in vocals, instrumentation, or post-production,” Spotify explained. “The goal is to build trust, not penalize artists who use AI responsibly or diminish their music for being transparent.”
The move follows controversy around Sundown Velvet, a “band” whose tracks gained popularity before the creator admitted they were entirely AI-generated. At the time, only Deezer had a feature to indicate songs created with generative AI.
Tackling Spam and Imitation
Spotify also announced new tools to combat misuse of its platform. A revamped spam filtering system will soon detect and flag suspicious uploads tied to manipulative practices, ensuring they won’t appear in recommendations. The rollout will be gradual, with improvements added over time as new tactics emerge.
Additionally, the company has updated its rules on imitation. Reports of AI voice cloning and similar techniques will be handled more clearly under the new policy, which aims to protect real artists while making moderation more transparent.
Another issue Spotify is tackling is fraudulent uploads—when someone tries to publish music under another artist’s profile. The company said it is testing preventive measures with major distributors to stop these attacks before tracks reach the platform. On Spotify’s side, more resources will be put into speeding up “out of place” reviews, with artists able to flag problems even before a track is released.
