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Fri, 01 May 2026

Fri, 01 May 2026 Spotify adds 'Verified' badges to distinguish human artists from AI

The music streaming platform will review criteria such as artists' live dates and social media presence.

* Spotify is introducing a "Verified by Spotify" badge to help users identify authentic artists on its platform.
* The badge will appear next to artist names that meet defined standards, including linked social accounts and consistent listener activity.
* Over 99% of searched-for artists will be verified, representing hundreds of thousands of artists.
* The process prioritizes acts with significant contributions to music culture and history over "content farms".
* Critics argue the system could punish human artists who don't fit certain criteria, such as touring or selling merchandise.
* Some suggest Spotify should instead label AI-generated music directly, rather than just verifying human artists.
* The move follows controversy over AI-generated content on the platform, with some users requesting clear labels for AI music.