Spotify removes millions of spam tracks and introduces AI labels
· re:union Radio editorial · 1 min read
Spotify tackles spam and mass uploads. Following the deletion of 75 million tracks, the platform implements labeling for AI content.
Spotify is taking action against spam and mass uploads. In the twelve months prior to September 2025, the streaming platform removed more than 75 million tracks classified as spam. In 2026, over 50 million tracks identified as spam or low-quality mass content were excluded from recommendations while remaining on the service. Approximately 100,000 new songs are uploaded daily.
Labeling AI content
These measures aim to protect royalty distributions, which exceeded 11 billion US dollars in 2025. According to Spotify, purely AI-generated music represents less than one percent of total consumption. The service detects spam using listening behavior, upload patterns, metadata, and external detection systems.
To increase transparency, the platform launched the voluntary beta feature AI Credits in April 2026, allowing creators to declare whether AI was used for vocals or instrumentation. Furthermore, thousands of AI-generated identities received an AI Persona Badge, excluding them from editorial and algorithmic recommendations by default unless a user follows them. The Verified by Spotify badge was also launched in April to verify artist authenticity.
Industry-wide initiatives
Organizations such as IFPI, RIAA, and the Grammys introduced a voluntary labeling framework distinguishing between AI-generated and AI-assisted recordings. Among other services, Deezer identifies AI tracks with an accuracy rate of 99.8 percent, and an Apple Music executive stated that over a third of new uploads are entirely generated by AI.
Source: Delamar
