“Using bots might look good at first, but it kills your chances of real success down the line,” says Ronan Mullins, Co-Founder of Boost Collective.
In today’s music industry, that warning isn’t just advice. It’s a necessary safeguard.
Bot streams are becoming one of the most serious threats facing independent artists. While some artists knowingly purchase fake traffic, many others fall into it by mistake. They’re often tricked by sketchy services that promise quick results and inflated numbers.
The damage doesn’t show up right away. But when it does, it’s often permanent.
Boost Collective is taking a stand. The company is working with other legitimate players in the space, working to educate artists, and offer a safer path forward.
Fake Streams, Real Consequences
Stream fraud isn’t new. What’s changed is how aggressively platforms like Spotify and Apple Music are cracking down. In 2023, Spotify removed more than 250,000 tracks tied to fake activity. And that was just the beginning.
When a track is flagged for suspicious engagement—such as sudden spikes in low-quality streams or inflated playlist activity—the consequences are severe. Songs get pulled. Accounts are suspended. Royalties disappear. And artists are often left without any explanation.
“There’s a clear line between real music promotion and manipulation,” says Mullins. “We don’t guarantee streams. We don’t promise placements. And we never use bots. Period.”
But many artists don’t know what to watch out for. Scam marketers are getting better at disguising bot-driven campaigns as legitimate offers. These services often appear on Fiverr or social media. They use terms like “organic reach” or “curated exposure.”
But what they actually deliver is artificial engagement that violates DSP rules.
The Blame Falls on the Artist
That’s the problem: when fake streams are detected, it’s the artist who pays the price—not the seller.
CEO Damian Barbu points to a disturbing trend. “Artists get penalized even if they had no idea their streams came from bots. That’s why education is critical. We can’t just sit back and watch good artists get taken out.”
Boost Collective has made education a core focus of its fraud prevention efforts. Through blogs, FAQ updates, Zoom calls, and published rebuttals, the company is helping artists understand how stream fraud works, what red flags to look for, and how to spot shady offers.
They’ve also responded publicly to watchdog articles, some of which used outdated or misleading information to attack legitimate companies. Boost didn’t just release statements. They shared call transcripts, playlist screenshots, and internal campaign data to set the record straight.
Spotting the Red Flags
So what do bot-driven campaigns actually look like?
According to Damian, there are common patterns:
- Guaranteed streams or playlist placements
- No transparency about traffic sources
- Sharp spikes in streams with low engagement
- Anonymous sellers or unverifiable case studies
“These sellers don’t talk about save rates, skip rates, or session duration,” he explains. “Because if they did, you’d see that the engagement is fake.”
Boost Collective encourages artists to use tools like Artist.Tools to check playlist legitimacy. They also recommend avoiding any service that refuses to explain how traffic is generated. If the numbers seem too good to be true, they probably are.
Raising Standards Across the Board
Boost isn’t acting alone. As part of a broader push in the music promotion space, the company is aligning itself with others who are committed to protecting artists and raising industry standards.
Internally, the Boost team reviews every campaign for compliance. They evaluate playlist partners, cut ties with vendors who won’t provide transparency, and reject client submissions if they don’t meet ethical guidelines. Campaigns that can’t be placed are refunded or reworked—not forced through.
Externally, Boost continues to challenge the broader industry to stop turning a blind eye. Too many services still operate in gray areas, using fake metrics to attract business while risking their clients’ careers.
“Distributors, playlist companies, and marketers all need to be more honest,” says Mullins. “The more we all speak out, the harder it becomes for fraud to hide.”
Helping Artists Stay Safe
Boost Collective’s stance is firm: artists deserve clear, accurate information before investing in promotion.
That’s why the company has invested in educational content, revamped its support materials, and made fraud prevention a priority in client conversations. Artists who ask about stream expectations are told the truth. There are no guarantees. Campaign results vary depending on engagement and audience behavior.
That’s how real music growth works.
“If we don’t help artists understand this now, they’ll keep getting burned,” says Damian. “It’s not about blaming people. It’s about protecting them.”
And for Boost Collective, that protection is part of a larger strategy. By refusing to rely on artificial growth, the company is building long-term trust—with both artists and digital platforms.
The Industry Is Watching
With streaming platforms tightening policies and fraud detection tools improving, the margin for error is shrinking. A single bad campaign can lead to catalog removal or permanent bans.
Boost Collective is taking that seriously. And by calling out bad actors, tightening internal standards, and helping artists make informed decisions, they’re setting a new benchmark for what ethical music promotion looks like.
Their message to artists is simple: don’t get fooled by shortcuts. Ask questions. Read the fine print. And always make sure you’re working with a team that puts your future first.