“Yes Spotify…Just what the Eck is going on, once agin the top tier streaming platform seem to be making their own music for profit…to stop YOU getting any !
NMR – As if things were not bad enough with this platform, they come up with a new way to make sure the artists dont actually earn any money.
How Spotify’s PFC Program Impacts Artists and Listeners ( credit Harpers.org / consequence sound)
Introduced in 2017, Spotify’s PFC (Profitability-Focused Content) program was reportedly designed to prioritize profitability by collaborating with a network of production companies. Many of these companies are located outside the U.S., and this strategy appears to have helped Spotify increase the percentage of total streams directed toward music that is cheaper for the platform to host.
While this may boost the platforms bottom line, it comes at a cost: fewer royalties are paid out to actual artists, as payments are funneled toward the PFC partners instead. These partners create music shared across hundreds of artist profiles, many of which are empty or yield inconclusive results when searched.
The report features insights from former Spotify staff, including a playlist editor who revealed that many employees were initially unaware of the origins of the music. Over time, the internal sentiment shifted to: “If the metrics went up, then let’s just keep replacing more and more, because if the user doesn’t notice, then it’s fine.”
The practice raises concerns about transparency and the platform’s impact on independent artists and genuine music creators. As Spotify continues to innovate its business model, it’s worth considering how these changes shape the music landscape for both listeners and artists.
Spotify’s Ghost Artist Controversy: New Findings and Internal Resistance
Journalist Pelly, who has been investigating the ghost artist phenomenon for years, traveled to Sweden in 2023 to collaborate with local outlet Dagens Nyheter. Together, they uncovered startling revelations: roughly 20 songwriters are responsible for the work of over 500 “artists” on Spotify. Many of these “artists” have fictionalized bios, with one described as “completely made up.” These tracks, however, have been streamed millions of times, contributing significantly to Spotify’s streaming catalog.
Despite the scale of the program, not everyone at Spotify supports it. According to the report, many of the platform’s playlist editors — often celebrated in the media as passionate music experts with encyclopedic knowledge — were hesitant to participate in the scheme. This resistance prompted the company to hire editors who seemed less concerned about the PFC model.
The findings also highlight that some of Spotify’s most popular playlists — including Ambient Relaxation, Deep Focus, Cocktail Jazz, and Bossa Nova Dinner — are predominantly filled with PFC music. As these playlists gain traction, some former employees speculate that Spotify could be moving toward automating the program further, potentially using AI to create and manage content.
This ongoing investigation raises critical questions about transparency, authenticity, and the impact on real artists and music lovers. As the debate continues, listeners are left to wonder: how much of what we hear is real?
Check out more from original Harpers article Here
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