At CD Baby, we recognize both the potential and the risks AI brings to independent artists. That’s why we’re working with Spotify to block AI-driven abuse while supporting its responsible, creative uses.
The following new policies and protections ensure you can continue using CD Baby’s industry-leading tools, services, and insights to the fullest extent—without interference from bad actors.
Here’s what’s changing:
- A new spam filter to stop royalty scammers, protecting income for independent artists like you
- Labels on AI-made music so listeners know how it was created
- Stronger processes to catch fake uploads and stop artist impersonators
Removing Spam Tracks
Spotify is cracking down on bad actors uploading AI-generated slop tracks to game the royalty system. The platform has removed 75 million spam tracks already this year.
A new automated spam filter will now flag and remove these uploads from listener recommendations. To avoid false flags, Spotify will roll out the system gradually and fine-tune as needed.
Preventing artist impersonation
Spotify is strengthening its impersonation policy to address two growing issues: unauthorized vocal deepfakes and fraudulent uploads to real artist profiles.
While some artists choose to license their voice to AI projects, others are being impersonated without consent. The updated policy gives artists clearer protections and a faster way to report misuse through Spotify’s legal form (to report impersonation, select Publicity / Likeness).
CD Baby is also working with Spotify to stop fake tracks from being uploaded to artist profiles, testing new tools to catch content mismatches faster—before releases go live.
Disclosing AI with industry-standard credits
Lastly, CD Baby is collaborating with Spotify and partners to set a new industry standard for AI disclosures in music credits.
The new standard will give artists and rights holders a way to clearly indicate where and how AI played a role in the creation of a track—whether that’s AI-generated vocals, instrumentation, or post-production—within the track metadata.
Conclusion
Over 2 million independent artists trust CD Baby to distribute their music to leading music platforms. With that, comes a responsibility to protect our clients’ identities, work, and opportunities from bad actors. As AI capabilities evolve, we’re working closely with our industry partners to support artists and their creativity through joint policies, communications, and tools.
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