Are you getting "ghost streams" that look good but feel wrong? In this episode of the Music Makin Cents Pod, host Harkos deep-dives into the "Fake Stream Trap" that is currently causing a massive purge of independent artists in 2026.

If you’ve seen videos like “The Spotify Fraud Penalty Exposed” or read articles about Spotify’s $10 per-track fine for bot activity, you know the stakes have never been higher. Harkos shares his personal story of getting 2,000 streams in a weekend and realizing it was a death sentence for his track—not a success. He breaks down why big playlists are one of the worst ways to get streams because they are almost never real listeners—they are statistically proven to be bots. If you aren't careful, these scam playlists can get your entire profile removed from Spotify and kicked off your distributor. Explore why major labels can afford bot farms while independent artists can't, and why most distributors like DistroKid and TuneCore promote playlists but don't actually watch your back. Learn how to use Landr and its free Stream Scan service to safeguard your career from fraud before it’s too late.

Crucial Resources for Independent Artists

• Safeguard Your Music (20% Off Landr): https://glnk.io/5wllp/music-makin-cents7eq

• Watch Previous Video: The 3 Real Ways to Grow a Fanbase: https://youtu.be/DmH1kXNqI-0

• Free Strategy Session: Visit mmcpod.com to brainstorm your unique 2026 strategy with Harkos.

Why Fake Streams Are Career Killers in 2026

• The "Shadow Ban" Effect: Even if you aren't fully removed, fake streams ruin your metadata, meaning the algorithm will never show your music to real people again.

• Distributor Negligence: Most DIY distributors will kick you off their platform the moment Spotify flags you, offering zero human support to resolve the issue.

• The Landr Solution: We explore why Landr is the only distributor proactively protecting artists with their free Stream Scan technology.

The Landr Advantage

Unlike other platforms that leave you stuck with a strike or removal after a fake stream event, Landr provides active protection.

• Stream Scan: Included for free in any distribution package, this tool analyzes reports and notifies you of high-risk activity before your account gets flagged.

  
  

• Human Support: When issues arise, you need a distributor that looks out for your music and helps you fix the problem before it becomes a headache.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• 00:00:15 – The "2,000 Stream" red flag: Why I freaked out.

• 00:01:03 – Welcome to the Music Makin Cents Pod with Harkos.

• 00:01:45 – Why big playlists are statistically proven to be fake streams.

• 00:02:50 – The Major Label Secret: Why they can use bots and you can't.

• 00:04:10 – How scam playlists use "enticement" to trap indie artists.

• 00:05:30 – The "Distributor Betrayal": Why DistroKid and TuneCore won't help you.

• 00:06:45 – Strategy issues resolved: Using Landr Stream Scan to stay safe.

• 00:08:12 – How to report a scam playlist before it’s too late.