The Music Industry Is Taking Further Action Against Streaming Fraud
Streaming has created more opportunities for artists to reach listeners around the world and earn from their music. But as the digital music ecosystem continues to grow, so does the challenge of streaming fraud.
On 14 September 2026, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) announced the launch of the Streaming Integrity Initiative (SII), a new industry commitment focused on combating streaming fraud and protecting artists, songwriters and fans.
The initiative brings together music companies and distribution services around a set of baseline practices designed to prevent, detect and respond to fraudulent activity across the music ecosystem.
For artists, this development highlights why genuine engagement and legitimate music distribution matter.
What Is Streaming Fraud?
Streaming fraud involves manipulating digital music services to generate plays that do not represent genuine listening.
This can involve the use of bots or other artificial methods to generate streams and redirect revenue from legitimate music activity.
According to IFPI, fraudulent streaming can affect artists, songwriters, record labels, publishers and others across the music economy by diverting revenue and undermining trust in streaming platforms.
The issue is not simply about an unusually high stream count. It can involve organised activity designed to manipulate streaming systems at scale.
What Is the Streaming Integrity Initiative?
The Streaming Integrity Initiative is an industry commitment announced by IFPI and supported by a group of music companies and distribution services.
The initiative establishes five baseline practices for participating distributors and other industry players:
- Verify customers and rights ownership.
- Vet content for infringement, fraudulent activity and relevant risks.
- Act when suspected fraud is detected.
- Share relevant information where legally permitted.
- Measure and continuously improve anti-fraud systems.
The objective is to strengthen the industry’s ability to identify fraudulent activity before and after music reaches streaming platforms.
Why Do Distributors Matter?
Music distributors sit between artists and digital music services, making them an important part of the digital music supply chain.
IFPI says distributors are well positioned to help prevent fraudulent content from reaching streaming platforms because they are a key entry point into the digital music ecosystem.
That means the response to streaming fraud is not limited to streaming platforms themselves.
Artists, distributors, DSPs, record companies and other industry participants all have roles to play in maintaining a healthier digital music ecosystem.
The Five Areas of Action
1. Verify
The initiative calls for stronger verification of customers and rights ownership.
This includes robust Know Your Customer (KYC) and fraud checks before content is distributed.
For artists, this reinforces the importance of providing accurate account and rights information when using a music distribution service.
2. Vet
Distributors are encouraged to review content before it becomes available to digital music services.
The initiative references measures including content filtering, rights checks, metadata checks, audio recognition technologies and measures addressing certain AI-related risks.
This is important because identifying problematic content before distribution can help reduce risks further along the supply chain.
3. Act
Detecting suspicious activity is only part of the process.
The initiative calls for distributors to investigate suspected fraud and take reasonable steps to mitigate it.
Repeated violations can also result in stronger enforcement measures, including banning customers in appropriate circumstances.
4. Share
Streaming fraud can involve activity across multiple services and platforms.
The initiative therefore encourages industry participants to share high-confidence information about fraudulent or infringing activity where legally permitted.
The goal is to make it harder for bad actors to simply move from one service to another.
5. Measure
Streaming fraud continues to evolve.
The initiative therefore calls for distributors to regularly assess how effective their anti-fraud measures are and improve them as new methods emerge.
What Does This Mean for Artists?
For legitimate artists, the wider focus on streaming integrity reinforces the importance of building a genuine audience and using legitimate distribution practices.
Artists should be cautious about services or individuals promising large numbers of guaranteed streams, listeners or engagement.
Artificial activity can create risks for an artist’s catalogue and account, particularly as streaming services and distributors continue to strengthen fraud detection.
The safest foundation remains real music, real listeners and genuine promotion.
Streaming Numbers Should Come From Real Listeners
There is an important difference between promoting a song and artificially generating streams.
Legitimate promotion can include:
- Social media campaigns
- Creator and influencer campaigns
- Music blogs and media coverage
- Live performances
- Playlist pitching through legitimate channels
- Fan communities
- Content creation around a release
- Direct audience engagement
These activities are designed to help real listeners discover and engage with music.
By contrast, artificial streams are designed to create listening activity that does not represent genuine audience engagement.
Why This Matters for the Future of Music Distribution
The digital music industry continues to evolve, and so do the methods used to manipulate streaming systems.
IFPI’s 2026 Global Music Report identified streaming fraud as an issue requiring coordinated action from streaming services, content aggregators and distributors.
The launch of the Streaming Integrity Initiative represents another step toward establishing common practices across parts of the music supply chain.
For distributors, that means stronger verification, content review, monitoring and collaboration are becoming increasingly important.
For artists, it means understanding how legitimate distribution and promotion can help protect their music and their long-term presence in the streaming ecosystem.
What Artists Should Do
As streaming platforms and distributors continue strengthening their systems, artists can take a few practical steps:
Distribute music you have the rights to use
Make sure you have the necessary rights and permissions for the music, artwork, samples and other material included in your release.
Keep your information accurate
Provide accurate artist, release and rights information when submitting your music.
Avoid artificial streaming services
Be cautious of anyone offering guaranteed streams or promising to manipulate your streaming numbers.
Focus on genuine audience growth
Build listeners through legitimate promotion, content, performances and direct engagement with your audience.
Understand your distributor’s policies
Know the rules surrounding streaming manipulation and other prohibited activity before distributing your music.
A More Transparent Streaming Ecosystem
Streaming has become one of the most important ways people discover and consume music. Protecting the integrity of that ecosystem benefits everyone who depends on legitimate music activity.
The Streaming Integrity Initiative is one example of the industry’s increasing focus on preventing fraudulent activity through stronger verification, content vetting, detection, information sharing and continuous improvement.
For artists, the message is straightforward: build your audience genuinely, distribute music you have the rights to use, and avoid shortcuts that artificially inflate your numbers.
The long-term value of your music comes from real listeners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Streaming Integrity Initiative?
The Streaming Integrity Initiative is an industry commitment announced by IFPI in September 2026 to establish baseline practices for preventing, detecting and responding to streaming fraud.
What is streaming fraud?
Streaming fraud involves generating artificial plays or manipulating streaming services in ways that do not represent genuine listening.
Does the initiative only apply to streaming platforms?
No. The initiative specifically recognises the role of distributors and other participants across the music ecosystem in addressing streaming fraud.
Can artists still promote their music?
Yes. Legitimate music promotion remains an important part of building an audience. The concern is with artificial activity intended to manipulate streaming numbers rather than genuine promotion that reaches real listeners.
Why should artists care about streaming integrity?
Because fraudulent activity can affect the wider streaming ecosystem and divert revenue and attention away from legitimate music. Understanding the risks can help artists make better decisions about how they promote and distribute their music.
Keep Your Music Distribution Legitimate With Fresible Music
At Fresible Music, we believe music distribution should help artists reach real audiences and build sustainable careers.
As the industry continues to develop stronger measures against streaming fraud, artists can play their part by distributing music they have the rights to use, following platform and distributor requirements, and focusing on genuine audience growth.
Create, distribute and grow your music with a legitimate approach.
Start Distributing With Fresible Music
