Spotify experiments with a tool to prevent AI-generated tracks from being credited to real artists

As AI-generated content continues to flood music platforms, Spotify has begun testing a new feature designed to give artists greater control over how their work is represented. The tool, called "Artist Profile Protection," is currently in beta and allows artists to review and approve releases before they appear on their official profiles.

The goal of the feature is to prevent situations where songs, including those generated using AI, are incorrectly attributed to real artists. By introducing this system, Spotify aims to address a growing issue across streaming services where music is mistakenly or deliberately placed on the wrong artist pages.

"Music has been landing on the wrong artist pages across streaming services, and the rise of easy-to-produce AI tracks has made the problem worse," Spotify said in a blog post. "That's not the experience we want artists to have on Spotify, and that's why we've made protecting artist identity a top priority for 2026. Today, we're announcing a first-of-its-kind solution to a problem that's affected streaming for years."

Artists in the beta program can now review incoming releases associated with their names and choose whether to approve or reject them. Only the tracks they approve will appear on their profile, contribute to their performance metrics, and be included in recommendations for listeners.

The timing of Spotify's announcement comes shortly after Sony Music revealed it had requested the removal of more than 135,000 AI-generated songs impersonating its artists across various streaming platforms.

Spotify acknowledged that while open distribution has made it easier for independent musicians to publish their work, it has also introduced new challenges. Errors in metadata, confusion between artists with similar names, and intentional misuse by bad actors can all result in music being incorrectly linked to an artist's profile.

"When that happens, it can impact your catalogue, your stats, your Release Radar, and how fans discover your music," Spotify explained. "We know how frustrating this can be for both artists and fans alike, and one of the top requests we've heard from artists over the past year is that you want more visibility before music appears under your name."

The company noted that this feature may not be necessary for every artist. Still, it is particularly useful for those who frequently encounter incorrect releases, share a common name with other artists, or want tighter control over their catalogue.

Artists included in the beta will find the feature within their "Spotify for Artists" settings on both desktop and mobile web. Once enabled, they will receive email notifications whenever a new release is submitted under their name, allowing them to approve or decline it before it goes live.

With this move, Spotify is taking a more proactive approach to protecting artists' identities in an era when AI-generated content is becoming increasingly widespread.