Section 1: Clearing Up Misconceptions about Spotify’s Policies

Question: Is Spotify’s 3-strike policy against artificial streams real, and will they remove your music?

Answer: DistroKid warns artists about a ‘three strike’ policy, stating that “On your third strike, Spotify will remove your music. In accordance with Spotify’s guidance, you will be banned from Spotify, and required to pay Spotify’s fine of $10.” However, Spotify has directly responded, clarifying that they do not have a 3-strike policy to remove an artist’s music. Spotify asserts that the policy mentioned is followed by DistroKid and is their independent decision to send out strikes to their artists, not a policy enforced by Spotify. (check out conversation below)

Section 2: Evaluating DistroKid’s Role and Assertions

Question: What motivates DistroKid to attribute these stringent policies to Spotify?

Answer: DistroKid seems to be deflecting responsibility onto Spotify for their own policies concerning artificial streams. By cautioning artists that Spotify will remove their music for paid streams, they are constructing a misleading narrative.

Section 3: Questionable Guidance on Deleting and Re-uploading Tracks

Question: Why does DistroKid recommend artists to delete and re-upload tracks flagged for artificial streams?

Answer: DistroKid’s advice may originate from a concern about potential fines from Spotify. By urging artists to delete and re-upload tracks, DistroKid might be seeking to avoid potential penalties, presenting a solution that appears more advantageous to them than to the artists.

Section 4: Impact on Artists

Question: How do these practices and misinformation affect artists?

Answer: Artists become entangled in a confusing web of misinformation, which could harm their reputation and financial stability. Misleading advice from DistroKid can lead to unnecessary panic and misguided actions, jeopardizing artists’ relationships with streaming platforms like Spotify.

Section 5: Advice for Artists

Question: What alternative actions should artists take instead of relying on DistroKid?

Answer: Artists should contemplate transitioning to distributors that prioritize transparency and artist support. It’s essential to align with a partner genuinely dedicated to nurturing your music career, offering clear and truthful guidance on promotion and distribution.

Conclusion: Is it worth jeopardizing your music career due to misleading information? This exploration of DistroKid’s assertions versus Spotify’s actual policies underscores the significance of informed decision-making for artists.