Spotify to Add 'AI Persona' Tags Starting Mid-September
Spotify is introducing a new labeling system to help listeners identify AI-generated artists and content. According to NME, starting in mid-September, some artist pages will carry an "AI Persona" badge, appearing on artist profile pages, in search results, and in playlist track listings. Artists flagged this way will be excluded from personalized recommendations. Starting Wednesday, August 12, artists can use Spotify for Artists to voluntarily disclose whether a page represents an AI Persona.
How the tag works
There are only two ways a page gets the label: self-disclosure by the creator, or Spotify detecting that an artist is AI-generated and applying it directly. Spotify says it will supplement self-disclosure with its own review process to catch undeclared pages. Later this year, listeners will also be able to report artist pages they suspect are AI Personas, with reports routed to a review team.
Music tagged as AI Persona won't appear in editorial or algorithmic recommendations, unless a listener already follows that AI Persona directly. Spotify emphasizes that the label identifies whether a real person is behind a given page — not how the music itself was made, since human artists may also use AI tools during production.
Other tools already in place
Spotify has previously rolled out several related features: Verified By Spotify, which confirms an artist is a real person; AI Credits, letting artists disclose AI use in the creative process; SongDNA, which provides context on who worked on a track; Artist Details, showing an artist's activity on the platform; and Artist Profile Protection, letting creators review and approve their own releases to prevent misattribution. Last September, Spotify said it had removed 75 million "junk tracks" and taken action against impersonators.
Streaming platforms' AI policies
This move comes as AI-generated music floods streaming platforms. Deezer said last month that AI-generated tracks now make up over 50% of its daily uploads, the first time such music has outnumbered human-made uploads; an earlier survey found 97% of people couldn't tell the difference. Deezer has also launched a detection tool scanning playlists across 20 streaming platforms for AI-generated music.
Apple Music has likewise begun labeling AI-generated music, while TIDAL has confirmed it won't pay royalties on music made entirely by AI. Bandcamp said earlier this year it has fully banned AI-made music, and SoundCloud reaffirmed its AI stance after user backlash. Separately, Spotify signed a new agreement with Universal Music Group this past May that will let listeners create AI reinterpretations of songs.