So you just released your new single, and a random “music promoter” slides into your DMs promising 50,000 streams in a week. Your heart says, “This is my big break!” Your brain says, “Wait, what?” Fake streams are like fast food for your music career — tempting, easy, and absolutely not good for long-term health. Here are five ways to spot fake streams before they sabotage your momentum, your royalties, and your reputation.
1. 🚩 Anyone Who Guarantees a Number of Streams or Playlists
If someone promises you 10,000 streams or a guaranteed placement on a playlist with 100k followers, run. Real curators don’t offer guarantees — they offer opinions. Spotify’s algorithm is smarter than all of us, and when it sees suspicious traffic, it punishes your entire catalog. No number of fake streams is worth your real fans.
2. 🚩 Super Skewed Country Data
If you’re an indie artist in Ontario and suddenly 93% of your streams are coming from Jakarta and Bulgaria… we’ve got a problem. While international fans are great, massively unbalanced geo data usually means bots are at play. Always check your Spotify for Artists dashboard for suspicious spikes.
3. 🚩 Short Play Times and Zero Saves
You’ve got 8,000 streams but only 3 saves and no playlist adds? That’s not real traction — that’s a bot parade. Real listeners hit “like,” follow your artist profile, and add your song to their favorite sad-girl playlists. Bots hit play, then leave before the chorus.
4. 🚩 Generic-Looking Playlists With No Theme or Vibe
If a playlist is called “Chill Vibes 2023” but features death metal, reggaeton, and yacht rock in the same batch, it’s not curated — it’s cluttered. Real playlists have mood, cohesion, and a follower base that actually engages. Fake ones just exist to farm clicks and burn through artists’ budgets.
5. 🚩 Zero Fan Engagement, But Wild Streaming Numbers
If your track hits 20,000 streams but your Instagram post gets 9 likes and your email list is still at 7 people (5 of whom are your family), something’s off. Real fans stream and stick around. Fake streams are a mirage — big numbers with no community behind them.
The Takeaway?
Don’t be fooled by inflated numbers. Building a music career is a long game — and it’s about connection, not quick fixes. Work with people who care about your voice, not just your volume. Authenticity always wins… and the algorithm knows it too.