Buying plays on Spotify might seem like an easy solution for new or struggling artists who want to boost their streaming numbers quickly and make their music appear popular. After all, if a song has thousands or millions of plays, it can give the impression that it’s a hit — attracting real listeners, playlist curators, and even record labels. But while the idea may sound appealing on the surface, buying Spotify plays carries serious risks that can undermine your credibility, hurt your music career, and even violate Spotify’s terms of service.
Why Artists Buy Spotify Plays
Perceived Popularity:
Just like with social media followers or likes, high play counts on Spotify serve as social proof. Many listeners assume that if a song has thousands or millions of streams, it must be worth hearing.Attracting Playlists and Curators:
Some playlist curators and algorithmic systems are influenced by the number of plays a song has. Artists hope that a higher play count will help them land on influential playlists and gain more exposure.Boosting Credibility:
For independent artists, large streaming numbers can build the appearance of being a successful and in-demand musician. This might open doors to collaborations, press coverage, or gigs.
The Harsh Reality of Buying Spotify Plays
Despite these perceived benefits, the downsides are significant and potentially career-damaging.
Fake Streams = Fake Audience:
Most services that offer paid Spotify plays use bots or click farms to simulate streams. These are not real listeners who will engage with your music, follow you, or attend your shows. So while your stream count goes up, your fan base remains the same.Zero Engagement and No Growth:
Real fans save your music, follow your artist page, share your songs, and come back for more. Paid plays won’t give you that. Spotify’s algorithm rewards songs with real engagement, not just raw numbers.Violation of Spotify’s Terms:
Buying plays directly violates Spotify's policies. If Spotify detects suspicious streaming activity, they can remove the fake streams, pull your song from the platform, or even ban your account altogether. This is a huge risk for any artist serious about their music career.Damage to Reputation:
If industry professionals, collaborators, or fans discover that your streams were bought, it can hurt your credibility and trustworthiness. Authenticity is highly valued in music, and being seen as someone who “fakes success” can close important doors.Wasted Budget:
The money spent on fake plays could be better used on genuine promotion strategies — like social media ads, influencer campaigns, live performances, or video content — all of which help you grow a real audience.Distorted Data:
Real insights from Spotify for Artists (such as who listens to your music, where they’re from, and what other songs they like) help guide marketing and touring decisions. Fake streams skew your data, making it harder to know who your real fans are.
Conclusion
While buying Spotify plays may offer a temporary ego boost, it’s not a sustainable or ethical strategy for growing a music career. It doesn’t lead to real fans, meaningful engagement, or long-term success — and it puts your Spotify account at risk. Instead, focus on building your audience organically through authentic promotion, collaborations, live events, and quality content. Real growth takes more time, but it builds a foundation that lasts.
