Streaming fraud has emerged as one of the music industry's most significant challenges. With billions of dollars in royalties distributed annually through digital service providers (DSPs), fraudulent actors are finding new ways to exploit the system, diverting revenue from rightful creators and undermining the integrity of streaming platforms.
Streaming fraud takes on several forms, all of which harm artists, labels, and the wider industry. Fraudsters often engage in unauthorized uploads, where copyrighted music is uploaded under false artist names or anonymous profiles to claim royalties. This tactic often goes undetected for weeks, months or years, allowing bad actors to siphon significant earnings from legitimate creators. Another prevalent issue is artist hijacking, where tracks are uploaded directly to an established artist's profile without their knowledge or consent. This not only confuses listeners but also disrupts royalty payments and tarnishes the artist's brand.
Fake streams are another major concern, with streaming farms and bots artificially inflating play counts. This distorts the value of genuine engagement and can manipulate charts and playlists, creating an uneven playing field for authentic artists. Additionally, unauthorized sampling is a problem, where uncleared samples are uploaded and often buried in tracks by lesser-known accounts, making detection difficult without in-depth auditing and matching.
Streaming fraud does more than steal revenue from creators. It directly affects artists and labels by diverting royalties that would otherwise fund their creative and business efforts. For independent artists, even small losses can mean the difference between sustainability and financial hardship. For labels, significant revenue loss undermines their ability to invest in developing new talent and promoting existing acts.
Beyond the financial toll, streaming fraud distorts data, which is crucial for decision-making in marketing, touring, and artist development. Misleading metrics make it difficult for managers and labels to plan effectively, evaluate an artist’s true growth, and allocate resources efficiently. This disruption cascades into lost opportunities, as inaccurate data can result in misguided strategies for promoting music, planning tours, or securing sponsorship deals.
For DSPs, fraud undermines the platform’s credibility and reduces trust among users. Inflated numbers mislead A&R teams, marketers, and industry analysts, while fans and industry professionals alike lose faith in platforms when fraud is not addressed.
The ripple effects are profound. Genuine artists and labels not only lose revenue but also face challenges in building trust and sustaining growth in a landscape plagued by fraudulent activity. The industry’s long-term health depends on addressing these issues decisively.
At MUSO, we understand the complexities and scale of streaming fraud. Our Streaming Fraud Service is designed to provide a comprehensive, efficient, and scalable solution to protect your music catalog. Here’s how we do it:
DSP Audits We conduct deep-dive audits across DSPs to uncover unauthorized uploads of label-owned material, tracks featuring uncleared samples or unauthorized content, and anomalies in playlist additions and stream counts.
Rapid, Scalable Removal Using our direct partnerships with distributors and DSPs, MUSO ensures the swift removal of infringing content. Whether it’s one unauthorized upload or hundreds, our scalable solution protects your repertoire effectively.
Protecting Royalties Our proactive approach safeguards your revenue by ensuring fraudulent actors can’t divert earnings. By addressing the problem at its source, we help you focus on building your artists’ careers.
Insights and Reporting We provide detailed reporting on fraudulent activity, offering labels and managers the transparency they need to stay informed and proactive in combating future issues.
Streaming fraud is a complex problem, but MUSO has the tools and expertise to combat it. By choosing MUSO, you gain a trusted partner to help identify and remove unauthorized content, safeguard your royalties from fraudulent activity, and restore confidence in your catalog’s data integrity.
If your team is navigating the challenges of streaming fraud, let’s connect. MUSO is here to ensure your music remains protected, your royalties uncompromised, and your growth unhindered.