How to Verify a Promotional Company's Legitimacy

Fraud—particularly in the form of artificial streaming—is often linked to promotional companies that promise quick success. Before engaging with any service to promote your music, it's important to vet them carefully. Below are key questions you can ask to ensure you're working with a legitimate and ethical company. If anything about the service raises concerns or gives you a negative impression, we strongly advise you not to proceed.

1. Can you connect me with artists who have used your service and found success?
Peer feedback is invaluable. Ask for:

• Case studies that demonstrate successful campaigns.
• Direct references to speak with artists who can vouch for the service.

2. Do you guarantee a specific number of streams?
Be cautious. A guaranteed number of streams is a red flag and often indicates the use of artificial or bot-generated streaming, which can result in penalties from streaming platforms.

3. Do you comply with Spotify's Terms of Service and avoid pay-for-stream models?
Any promotional company should strictly follow the terms set by streaming platforms. Pay-for-stream or incentivized models are often prohibited and can put your artist profile at risk.

4. How do you vet the curators and playlisters you work with?
Ask for specific details about:

• The review process for curators and playlisters.
• How frequently their playlists are audited for suspicious or non-compliant activity.

5. Can you provide examples of curators with verified followings?
Look for transparency. Legitimate services should be able to show:

• Engagement metrics (likes, saves, shares).
• Follower origins (geographic and behavioral data).
• Verified curator identities, where applicable.

6. What tools or systems do you use to detect fake or botted playlists?
Trustworthy platforms use:

• Spotify API data for performance metrics.
• Third-party bot detection tools to ensure authenticity.

7. Do you remove curators who are found to use fake followers or streams? How often is this reviewed?
Ongoing oversight is critical. The service should have a clear process for:

• Identifying violators.
• Removing problematic curators.
• Regularly reviewing and updating their curator list.