Spotify adds a Verified by Spotify badge to confirm real artists

In short: Spotify is launching a “Verified by Spotify” badge to show when it has confirmed a real person is behind an artist profile.

What happened

Spotify is starting a new verification program to cut down on spam and fake artist accounts. Verified artists will get a “Verified by Spotify” badge and a green checkmark on their profile.

Spotify says the badge means it has confirmed a real person is connected to the music and the artist page. The company says that, at launch, AI personas or profiles that mainly upload AI-generated music are not eligible for verification.

Spotify also said it might reconsider this in the future. It wrote that “the concept of artist authenticity is complex and quickly evolving.”

Not every artist will qualify. Spotify says it wants to see steady listener activity and engagement over time. In plain terms, an account needs ongoing signs that people actually listen and interact, not just a few random plays.

Spotify says it will not ask artists to upload an ID like a driver’s license. Instead, it will look at signals on and off Spotify, such as social media activity, merchandise sales, and concert dates.

Spotify says more than 99 percent of artists that listeners actively search for will be verified at launch. It also says verification will continue to roll out over time.

Why it matters

AI-made songs and copycat accounts can make it harder to know who you are really listening to. This badge is like a checked name tag at an event (it does not judge the music, it just helps confirm who is behind the account). It could also help real musicians protect their identity, even if they are not signed to a major label.

Source: The Verge AI