Spotify to distinguish AI artists from real people and block them from some playlists
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- Spotify will tag AI-generated music identities as "AI personas" on artist profiles and track listings starting next month, using human review and AI investigative tools rather than relying on self-disclosure alone.
- AI personas will be blocked by default from personalized algorithmic recommendations under the new policy.
- The Velvet Sundown, a 70s-style US rock "band" whose social channels later confirmed the project as AI, has 117,000 monthly listeners but still carries no clear AI labeling on its profile.
- Sienna Rose, a soul singer who entered Spotify's viral top 50 despite never playing a gig or releasing videos, has accumulated more than 500,000 monthly listeners.
- Spotify removed 75 million spam tracks over a 12-month period last year, against a legitimate catalogue of 100 million tracks.
Why it matters: Fake AI acts have already built massive audiences — Velvet Sundown at 117,000 monthly listeners and Sienna Rose at 500,000-plus — while Spotify purged 75 million spam tracks last year against a legitimate catalogue of 100 million. Real musicians competing with synthetic rivals get a visible label and algorithmic demotion in their favor, but only starting next month.
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