Spotify introduces artist-authenticated badges to help differentiate humans from AI

As AI-powered artists and streams flood music streams, Spotify is rolling out a new “Verified by Spotify” badge to help listeners more easily identify real human artists.

To receive a badge, artists must meet certain requirements. Spotify tracks popular artists on and off the platform, such as concert dates, sales, and contact accounts for their artist profiles. Profiles representing AI-generated music or AI-persona artists are not subject to verification.

In addition, artists must have an active listening experience and take action over time. Spotify is focusing on the profiles of artists that people have been actively searching for over a long period of time, rather than those that are experiencing it all at once.

At launch, more than 99% of the artists the audience searches for will be confirmed. Most are independent, representing a broad mix of brands, service sectors, and regions, Spotify says.

Users will begin to see the new badges appear on their professional profiles and next to artist names in search results in the coming weeks. These badges will have the words “Verified by Spotify” along with a green marker.

Due to the high number of profiles on the platform, Spotify says that verification will be done continuously, and that the lack of a badge does not mean that the profile will not receive it in the future.

Spotify is prioritizing artists who are interested in fans and their contribution to music culture, instead of so-called “functional music” – think background or playlist – whose music is designed to be listened to only or in the background.

“We’ve built this new verification program with listeners and artists in mind, and we’ll continue to update the program over time,” Spotify wrote in a blog post. “Our goal is to make it easier for you to trust and understand the human creativity you listen to on Spotify, and to create lasting connections with the artists and music you love.”

The platform is also launching a new history section in beta for all video files that will feature key work events, releases, and travel services. Spotify says the feature will give users a quick way to view an artist’s real-life experience even if they haven’t yet achieved the verification badge.

The changes reflect Spotify’s latest effort to combat the rise of low-quality content created by AI (AI slop) and adopters on its platform. Last month, the company began beta testing “Artist Profile Protection” which allows artists to preview their releases before going to their profile to give them the extra power associated with their name.

Spotify launched the app just weeks after Sony Music said it did asked to be removed More than 135,000 songs created by AI that takes its artists to fun games.

While Spotify hasn’t shared how many AI-powered songs are being added to its platform, Deezer announced last week that AI-generated music is now available. 44% of all the new songs that are uploaded to his website every day.