Spotify is facing mounting scrutiny over the presence of AI-generated and AI-assisted music on its service, as third-party tracking websites attempt to identify tracks that the streaming platform does not consistently label.
Third-party detection tools emerge
One database, SoullessMusic.com, describes itself as a tracker of “AI artists hiding on Spotify.” It uses automated analysis to flag music it deems likely to have been produced by artificial intelligence. The site has classified the AI-assisted R&B project Slime Dot as “almost certainly AI,” citing the volume of music released in a short timeframe.
“I didn’t know what was AI and what’s not,” said Graeme Fulton, creator of SoullessMusic. He explained that he became interested after seeing artists raise concerns on social media about AI projects allegedly copying their music and identities.
Another service, SlopTracker, allows users to submit Spotify track links for analysis. It assigned a 95% probability that the Slime Dot song “Fully” was generated by Suno, an AI music creation platform.
Accuracy of detection remains contested
The reliability of these third-party systems is disputed. Both SoullessMusic and SlopTracker rely on AI and automated tools, which can produce false positives. SlopTracker previously identified the AI-assisted project Georgia Phantom as likely AI-generated but removed the listing after receiving a cease-and-desist notice. SoullessMusic continues to list the project with a 99% probability of being “almost certainly AI.”
Detection methods analyze characteristics such as vocoder artefacts and digital signatures. Some systems use “fakeprints,” machine-readable patterns associated with AI-generated audio, while neural fingerprinting can identify material derived from existing recordings. These tools combine statistical and structural analysis to produce confidence scores rather than definitive conclusions. Their accuracy can be affected by advances in AI technology and by post-production techniques like remastering and equalisation that may obscure identifying features.
Spotify outlines a layered approach
Spotify stated that it is taking a “layered approach” involving enforcement, artist controls and transparency. “Over the past year, we’ve introduced policies targeting harmful AI-related behaviours like spam, impersonation, and deceptive content, alongside new tools that give artists more control and listeners more context,” the company said.
Spotify pointed to several features:
- AI Credits, which allow artists to disclose how AI was used in their music
- Verified by Spotify
- Artist Profile Protection
The company said it would continue developing these measures. However, Artist Profile Protection requires artists to opt in, and AI Credits depend on voluntary disclosure.
Industry-wide transparency push
The debate is less about whether musicians should use generative AI tools such as Suno and Udio and more about whether listeners and rightsholders should be informed when the technology is used. The lack of a comprehensive labelling system has become more significant as AI-generated music proliferates.
Deezer, which has invested in identifying and labelling AI-generated content, recently reported that almost half of new music uploaded to its platform was AI-generated and said it had begun removing certain AI-generated tracks from royalty payments. SlopTracker estimates that AI-generated music appearing on Spotify’s official curated playlists is diverting revenue from human artists, although the methodology behind its financial estimates has not been independently verified.
