Deezer, the music streaming service, is taking a bold step to stop streaming fraud. The company has started adding labels to albums that include AI-generated music.

This move comes as the platform sees a surge in songs made entirely by artificial intelligence — many of which are being used to game the system for royalty payouts.

AI Music Is Booming — And So Is Abuse

Every day, over 20,000 AI-generated tracks are uploaded to Deezer. That’s about 18% of all new music on the platform.

While most of those songs don’t become hits, Deezer says 70% of their streams are fake — boosted by bots or click farms to earn royalties.

To stop that, Deezer is:

• Clearly labeling albums that contain AI-generated tracks
• Removing AI-only songs from editorial playlists and algorithm recommendations
• Blocking fake streams from being counted in royalty payments

Why Deezer Says Labels Matter

The company says these new labels will help listeners easily spot AI-made music — and decide for themselves what they want to hear.

“We’ve seen a sharp rise in AI-only tracks lately,” said Deezer CEO Alexis Lanternier. “We’re not against AI, but users deserve to know what they’re listening to.”

He added, “Being transparent is key. We also want to protect the rights of real artists and songwriters, especially as AI blurs the lines of copyright.”

So, How Big Is the AI Music Problem?

Right now, AI-only songs make up just 0.5% of total streams on Deezer. But the company says that number is growing fast — and the issue isn’t going away anytime soon.

That’s why Deezer is trying to act early, before the flood of synthetic music overwhelms human-made content on streaming platforms.

Detecting AI with Patents and Technology

Deezer has also developed its own AI detection tools. In late 2024, the company applied for two patents focused on identifying the “digital fingerprints” of AI-generated audio.

These tools allow Deezer to scan uploads and spot which tracks were made by machines instead of humans.

Meanwhile, Music Giants Are in Talks with AI Startups

The timing of Deezer’s move is no coincidence. Right now, Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group are reportedly negotiating with AI music startups like Udio and Suno.

Those same startups are being sued for copyright violations by the labels. Licensing deals could help settle the lawsuits — but the industry is still divided over how to handle AI-generated music.

Key Takeaways

• Deezer is now labeling albums that include AI-made songs.
• AI-only tracks are excluded from playlists and recommendations.
• About 18% of new uploads are now AI-generated.
• Deezer says 70% of streams for AI tracks are fraudulent.
• The company has filed patents for AI detection to help identify synthetic content.
• Other big music labels are still figuring out how to work with or fight AI music.

Final Word

As AI tools make it easier than ever to create music, streaming platforms are being forced to adapt — fast.

Deezer’s approach focuses on transparency and fairness, making sure listeners know what they’re hearing and that artists aren’t cheated out of royalties.

With AI in music growing quickly, this may be the start of a new era where every track needs a label — human or machine.

this article was originally published on https://techthrilled.com