How do I evaluate legitimacy and avoid fraud (fake playlists/bots, real vs. fake streams, held royalties)?
TL;DR - Data > Promises
Quick Red and Green Flag Checklist
Checkpoint: Follower growth
Green flag: gradual, organic curve
Red flag: overnight spike of 10k plus followers
Checkpoint: Save-to-stream
Green flag: 7% or higher on other tracks in the list
Red flag: under 3% despite big follower count
Note: ambient or lo-fi may sit at 5–7%; treat numbers below your genre average as red flags.
Checkpoint: Skip-rate at 30 s
Green flag: 30% or lower, 50% absolute ceiling
Red flag: data hidden or over 50%
Checkpoint: Playlist description
Green flag: update dates, socials
Red flag: “DM for placement”
Checkpoint: Contact channel
Green flag: business email, vetted-platform profile
Red flag: only PayPal friends and family, crypto wallet
Checkpoint: Payment route
Green flag: SubmitHub, Groover, One Submit batch, PayPal goods and services
Red flag: direct PayPal friends and family, no refund path
Three-Step Vetting Workflow
Step 1 - Data scan, about 5 minutes
Use Chartmetric, Viberate free tier, or SpotOnTrack to check follower graph and save ratio.
Drop a test track for 24 hours and watch skip-rate and saves.
Step 2 - Proof request, about 2 minutes
Ask the curator for a Spotify for Artists screenshot. Genuine curators usually comply; refusal is a red flag.
Step 3 - Platform filter
Pay through escrow platforms with refund and rating systems such as SubmitHub, Groover, or a multi-service dashboard like One Submit.
Fail any step, walk away.
Monitor Your Own Analytics
First 48 hours targets
Save-to-stream: 8% or higher. If under 3%, remove from playlist.
Skip-rate at 30 s: 30% or lower. If over 50%, pull track and warn curator.
Streams from “Other” source: under 20%. If over 40%, investigate bot traffic.
Keep a sheet with Date, Playlist, Saves, Streams, Skip-rate, Action Taken.
How DSPs Detect Fraud and How to Stay Safe
Trigger: Abnormal play source
Behind the curtain: 90% plus streams from “Other” in 24 hours
Prevention: mix organic channels with playlist traffic
Trigger: Geographic mismatch
Behind the curtain: spike from a country where you have no fans
Prevention: geo-target ads and pitches
Trigger: Bot click patterns
Behind the curtain: dozens of exactly 30 s plays, zero saves
Prevention: pull tracks with low saves and high skips
Trigger: Repeated IPs or new accounts
Behind the curtain: same device looping; accounts with no avatar
Prevention: avoid “guaranteed stream” services
If flagged, distributors may quarantine royalties for 30–60 days as a reserve. Provide marketing receipts such as invoices and ad dashboards to clear holds.
Record-Keeping and Dispute Prep
Invoices and contracts: store PDFs in cloud folders and link each to the campaign line in your sheet.
Reserve or quarantine log: track amounts held and expected release dates.
Dispute window: most payers allow 60–180 days; set a calendar reminder.
Ongoing Dashboard - Weekly Check
Save-to-stream: target 8% or higher, weekly after launch week
Skip-rate: target 30% or lower, weekly
Playlists added: track weekly plus or minus
Royalty holds: target zero, review monthly
Green = scale, Yellow = watch, Red = act.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Paying for guaranteed streams: they are bots; avoid entirely.
Judging by follower count alone: check engagement ratios instead.
Ignoring vetted platforms to save fees: escrow and ratings protect your budget.
Re-using the same track if flagged: use a new ISRC for remasters or remixes.
Skipping documentation: keep every invoice and attach it to the spreadsheet row.
Key Takeaways
Data-driven vetting beats vanity numbers.
The three-step test — data scan, proof request, platform filter — catches most scams.
Save-rate and skip-rate are your early-warning system; monitor daily at launch.
DSPs hold or claw back royalties when metrics look fake; have receipts ready.
One master sheet with metrics, contacts, invoices, and reserve amounts keeps fraud out and royalties flowing.