When you open Spotify for “New Music Friday,” you may notice a change. Spotify has introduced a new “Verified by Spotify” badge to distinguish human artists from AI-generated ones. This move aims to highlight authentic and trusted artists amidst the influx of AI-created music on the platform.
Artists who receive the green badge with a check mark must meet specific criteria outlined by Spotify. These criteria include maintaining consistent listener activity and engagement over time, as well as having a recognizable presence both on and off the platform, such as active social media accounts, live performance schedules, and merchandise sales.
Spotify stated that artists need at least 10,000 active listeners over three consecutive months to qualify for verification. The company also considers artists’ contributions to music culture and history, along with their cultural impact and momentum.
Andrew Cash, the President and CEO of the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), acknowledged the necessity of distinguishing AI-generated music but expressed concerns about potential challenges for new and independent artists in meeting Spotify’s verification requirements.
Notable artists like Madonna, BTS, and Bad Bunny have already received the verification badge on their Spotify profiles. However, some artists, including Canadian musician bbno$, are yet to be verified, despite having a significant following.
Spotify plans to continue rolling out the verification badges gradually and has no immediate plans to extend the verification to podcasts, despite the rise of AI-generated content in that sector.
Similar to social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, Spotify’s verification system aims to safeguard the authenticity of real artists. While other platforms have monetized their verification badges, Spotify currently has no plans to do so.
Spotify’s verification criteria, including the minimum listener threshold, has raised concerns about potential barriers for smaller artists. Cash emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in Spotify’s verification process to support artists of all sizes.
Spotify’s verification system is still evolving, and certain guidelines, such as the exclusion of AI-generated content from consideration, may change over time. Other music platforms like Apple Music and Deezer have also implemented measures to inform users about AI-generated music and offer filtering options.
Artists like Taylor Swift have taken legal steps to protect their music and identities from potential misuse through artificial intelligence. Experts suggest that artists must leverage technology, including AI, to enhance their creative work effectively.
