Imagine waking up excited to check your streaming numbers, only to realize that your song has mysteriously disappeared from Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. Frustrating, right? Music takedowns are more common than you think, and they can happen for various reasons, including fraudulent streams, copyright issues, or distributor problems.
But don’t panic. Your song is not gone forever. In this guide, we’ll break down why your track was removed, how to fix it, and how to prevent future music takedowns from derailing your career.
Why Did Your Song Get Taken Down?
Before taking any action, the first step is to understand why your song was removed. The three main reasons for a music takedown include fraudulent streams, copyright issues, and distributor problems.
When it comes to fraudulent streams, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music use advanced detection systems to identify artificial streams. If they detect suspicious activity, they might remove your track and, in severe cases, ban your account. This can happen if your promo team used bot-generated streams or streaming farms, if you unknowingly paid for fake playlist placements, or if your distributor engaged in shady promotion tactics.
A copyright issue can also cause an immediate music takedown if someone claims your song violates copyright laws. This can happen if you used an uncleared sample from another artist, if someone else claims they own the rights to your song, or if there’s a dispute between collaborators over song ownership.
In some cases, distributor or label issues can also lead to a music takedown. This can happen due to a contract dispute between you and your label, your distributor losing rights to host your music, or payment and royalty issues that triggered a removal.
For Nigerian artists, the problem of music takedowns is even more frustrating when your song is blowing up and suddenly disappears. Imagine getting featured on NotJustOk or Pulse Nigeria, and the next day, your song is gone! Understanding the cause is the first step to fixing it.
Check Your Email and Distributor Dashboard
Once you notice your song is missing, the first thing to do is check your email and distributor dashboard. You’ll often receive a notification explaining the reason behind the music takedown.
If it’s fraudulent streams, the email may state that the track violated streaming guidelines. If it’s a copyright claim, there should be details about the claimant and the reason for removal. If it’s a distributor issue, you might find an update from your distributor about licensing problems. Carefully reading the notification will help you understand the exact reason before making any decisions.
Some Nigerian distributors, like Mino Music or Boomkit, might take longer to send notifications. If you don’t see an email, log into your account and check for any warnings.
Fixing Fraudulent Stream Issues
If your song was removed due to fake streams, the first step is to stop all active promotions immediately. If you’ve been running paid promotions, pause them to prevent further damage. Next, reach out to your distributor to ask if the issue can be resolved or if you need to re-upload the song. If your current distributor engaged in shady tactics, consider switching distributors to a more reputable platform like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby.
To avoid fake streams in the future, focus on organic promotion methods, such as:
- Running TikTok ads and Instagram promotions
- Using Spotify for Artists to track real-time data
- Submitting to verified playlists through SubmitHub, PlaylistPush, or Groover
- Encouraging fan-driven engagement instead of paid streaming farms
Many artists in Nigeria fall for cheap promotion scams that promise Spotify streams for ₦5000. Always ask yourself: if the streams are real, why do they cost so little?
Resolving Copyright Claims
If your music takedown was due to a copyright claim, the first step is to confirm the validity of the claim. Sometimes, copyright claims are mistakes, and if you own 100% of the rights, you can dispute the claim.
If the claim is serious, such as an uncleared sample, you should get legal assistance by hiring an entertainment lawyer to negotiate a resolution. In cases where the claim was made by a collaborator or producer, try resolving the dispute privately before taking legal steps.
To avoid future copyright disputes:
- Always clear samples before release
- Use royalty-free beats if you don’t have an agreement with a producer
- Sign contracts with songwriters, producers, and featured artists
- Register your song with COSON or MCSN to protect your rights
Re-uploading Your Song the Right Way
If your song was taken down but the issue is resolved, you may need to re-upload it. The best way to do this without losing your stats is to use the same ISRC code, which ensures that your existing streams, playlist placements, and chart data remain intact.
Before re-uploading, make sure to:
- Choose a reliable distributor if your old one caused the problem
- Update metadata to match the previous upload
- Submit your song for playlist consideration again on Spotify for Artists and Apple Music for Artists
Also, let your fans know why your song was removed and when it’s coming back. If your song was trending on TikTok Nigeria, you don’t want to lose that momentum.
Preventing Future Music Takedowns
After recovering from a music takedown, it’s important to ensure it never happens again.
To avoid fake streams:
- Run genuine ad campaigns on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
- Submit your music to verified playlist curators
- Engage with your audience to encourage organic streams
To prevent copyright issues:
- Obtain licenses for samples, beats, or instrumentals
- Rely on copyright-free music loopsRely on copyright-free music loops
Sign collaboration agreements with all contributors
For Nigerian artists, using trusted platforms like Boomplay for Artists can also help secure your music.
Conclusion: Your Song Can Come Back Stronger!
A music takedown can feel like a major setback, but with the right approach, you can fix it fast and come back even stronger. The key steps involve checking why your song was removed, fixing the issue—whether it’s fraudulent streams, copyright claims, or distributor problems—re-uploading your song using the same ISRC to retain your progress, and using organic promotion strategies to prevent future takedowns.
