Followers versus streams
Followers are a profile number; streams are what earn royalties. Spotify's enforcement focuses heavily on artificial streams because they divert money from other artists. Followers are lower risk, but still against the rules if obviously manipulated.
What Spotify can do
Remove artificial followers or streams, withhold royalties earned from them, remove tracks from playlists, and in serious cases take tracks down. Distributors may also suspend accounts that repeatedly attract suspicious activity, and some charge fees.
Distributor policies
DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby and Indian distributors all warn against artificial streaming and may act independently of Spotify. Read your distributor's policy.
Reduce the risk
Keep follower orders small and gradual, avoid stream packages, never use bots and focus on real promotion.
Real promotion that works
Pitch songs through Spotify for Artists before release, use Canvas, post hook clips on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, play live and collaborate.
Playlists
Avoid 'guaranteed playlist placement' services that use bot playlists. Spotify removes streams from them, and tracks can be flagged.
Example
A Shillong indie artist adds 400 followers to a new profile and never buys streams. Her monthly listeners grow through a Reel of her live session, and her distributor never flags her account.
Login safety
Only your public artist link is needed. Never share Spotify for Artists access.
Bottom line
Followers are a small risk; streams are a big one. Stay away from stream packages.
Signs a Spotify seller is risky
Packages of hundreds of thousands of streams for a few hundred rupees, 'guaranteed editorial playlist' placements, requests for your Spotify for Artists or distributor login, and promises of royalty income. Real streams can't be bought cheaply; anything that claims otherwise is bots.
By Reachwala Team · Updated 25 Oct 2026