Spotify has confirmed the removal of over 75 million AI-generated tracks from its platform over the past year, marking one of the largest catalog clean-ups in the company’s history. The move comes amid rising concerns about music fraud and the growing presence of low-quality, AI-produced “slop” content flooding streaming services.
The Swedish streaming giant said that the bulk of these tracks were flagged as “spam” content, often generated using AI models to exploit the platform’s recommendation systems and royalty payout structures. Many of these tracks were engineered to mimic popular artists or flood playlists with low-effort recordings, which undermined genuine creators and skewed streaming metrics.
Industry experts have raised alarms over the rise of AI-generated music, pointing to both the creative potential and the risks of misuse. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), fraudulent streams cost the music industry billions of dollars annually, with AI adding new layers of complexity to detection and enforcement. Spotify said its combination of human moderation, advanced algorithms, and partnerships with industry stakeholders has helped identify and remove large-scale offenders.
A Spotify spokesperson told Forbes that the company is not against AI in music creation, but it will not tolerate misuse of its platform. “We see AI as a tool that can enable creativity, but it cannot be allowed to exploit the ecosystem or defraud legitimate artists,” the spokesperson said. The company added that it continues to work with record labels, rights holders, and technology providers to strike a balance between innovation and integrity in music distribution.
The issue has sparked broader debate across the industry. While AI-generated compositions are increasingly being used in film scoring, advertising, and independent music production, critics argue that unregulated use of generative tools risks flooding streaming platforms with generic and repetitive tracks. This not only makes discovery harder for consumers but also dilutes revenue streams for human artists.
Bill Rosenblatt, a digital media analyst, noted that Spotify’s crackdown is part of a wider trend. “Streaming platforms are under pressure to ensure fair compensation for artists and maintain consumer trust. Removing AI spam is an important step in restoring credibility to their catalogs,” he said.
The Guardian reported that many of the tracks removed had little to no human oversight in their creation. These pieces often featured repetitive loops, algorithmically generated lyrics, or simply noise marketed as music. Some were uploaded in bulk by third-party distributors using automated systems, amplifying the scale of the problem.
Spotify’s cleanup has drawn support from musicians and rights groups. Independent artists, in particular, have voiced concerns that AI spam tracks were competing unfairly for attention in curated playlists and discovery feeds. By removing fraudulent uploads, Spotify hopes to restore visibility to legitimate creators while reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable music ecosystem.
The company has also indicated that it is exploring new labeling standards for AI-generated tracks. Transparency in how music is created and disclosed will be a key issue moving forward, as regulators in markets like the European Union consider rules around AI transparency and copyright.
The rapid rise of generative AI has forced the entertainment industry to confront questions about ownership, authenticity, and creative value. While some see AI as a new creative collaborator, others warn it could destabilize existing business models if left unchecked. Spotify’s move underscores the urgency of defining how platforms should adapt to this technology while protecting human artistry.
The platform’s decision aligns with growing scrutiny across digital content ecosystems, from deepfake videos to synthetic news articles. As AI-generated content becomes increasingly indistinguishable from human-made creations, companies like Spotify are being pushed to invest more heavily in detection systems and ethical guidelines.
With more than 600 million users globally, Spotify’s approach could set an industry precedent. Its balancing act—welcoming AI as a creative partner while rejecting fraudulent exploitation—may influence how other major streaming platforms, including Apple Music and YouTube, tackle the same challenge in the coming months.
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