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Spotify Introduces Verified Artist Badge, Bans AI Impersonations

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Spotify is launching a “Verified by Spotify” badge for human artists, requiring concert dates, merchandise, socials and listener activity, and excluding AI profiles.
Over 99 % of searched artists, mostly independent, will receive the badge, which will appear on profiles and in search results soon.
After Sony Music demanded removal of over 135,000 AI impersonations, Spotify added “Artist Profile Protection,” while Deezer says AI tracks now make up 44 % of uploads.

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Story summary

Spotify is launching a “Verified by Spotify” badge for human artists, requiring concert dates, merchandise, socials and listener activity, and excluding AI profiles.
Over 99 % of searched artists, mostly independent, will receive the badge, which will appear on profiles and in search results soon.
After Sony Music demanded removal of over 135,000 AI impersonations, Spotify added “Artist Profile Protection,” while Deezer says AI tracks now make up 44 % of uploads.