Spotify is rolling out a new Verified by Spotify badge, a light green checkmark that appears on artist profiles and in search results to confirm the profile is authentic and trustworthy.
Does DistroKid handle this?
No. The Verified by Spotify badge is issued directly by Spotify, and DistroKid has no role in granting or requesting it. There's nothing you need to do on your end to apply.
That said, if you haven't claimed your Spotify artist page yet, do that first. It's the foundation for managing your presence on Spotify. Here's how to register your Spotify artist page.
How does Spotify decide who gets verified?
Spotify reviews profiles based on three things:
- Sustained engagement: consistent listener activity over time, not just a one-time spike.
- Platform compliance: your content and account are in good standing with Spotify's policies.
- Real artist signals: evidence of an authentic presence on and off Spotify, like tour dates, merchandise, and linked social accounts.
Profiles that primarily represent AI-generated or AI-persona artists aren't eligible at launch. Artists who use AI tools responsibly as part of their creative process are still eligible, as long as they present themselves authentically. Learn more about Spotify's AI policies and disclosure.
Will I get the badge?
Spotify says that at launch, over 99% of actively-searched artists will be verified. That's hundreds of thousands of artists, most of them independent. The rollout is happening gradually over the coming weeks, so if you don't see it yet, that's normal.
Not having the badge right away doesn't mean you won't get it. Spotify will keep reviewing profiles on an ongoing basis.
Where can I learn more?
For the full details straight from Spotify, see their announcement: Introducing Verified by Spotify.
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