Spotify has been flooding your recommendations with fake artists and music it barely pays for, according to a detailed report.
Who are the artists behind the music you listen to on your Spotify streams?
A recent investigation has revealed that Spotify is incorporating what are known as "ghost artists" into some of its playlists. Although these ghost artists produce music similar to ambient or background sounds, their use on the platform has raised concerns about the authenticity and exposure of independent musicians.
The report indicates that Spotify has implemented a program called Perfect Fit Content (PFC), which allows the platform to fill certain playlists with low-cost music produced by production companies. This type of music is designed to sound similar to other well-known melodies, but without the need to pay royalty fees, as most of these production companies pay a one-time fee to musicians without guaranteeing future compensation.
This approach is financially beneficial for Spotify, as it results in lower spending on artists and could, therefore, increase the profitability of playlists. The playlists that are being affected are those typically used as background music, such as "chill instrumental beats" and "lo-fi house."
However, this system not only harms the artists who create music in these genres but could also negatively impact the diversity of music on the platform. As mentioned in the report, Spotify had been promoted as a platform that provides discovery opportunities for artists; however, the introduction of PFC undermines that ideal of meritocracy in streaming.
Despite the criticism, Spotify has denied that its employees have been incentivized to add PFC music to playlists, which raises a conflict regarding the opinions of the company's internal content creators.
Additionally, the discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in music within Spotify arises. Some analysts wonder whether the implementation of AI aims to enhance the user experience or simply to add more questionable quality content to the platform. There are concerns about the use of artists' work without proper respect for their copyright.
In conclusion, the increasing incorporation of generic music and the potential automation of content generation on Spotify raises significant questions about the future of musical creation and the treatment of artists in the digital age.
