Deezer Becomes First Streaming Platform to Tag AI-Generated Music for Transparency

PARIS – June 20, 2025 — In a bold move to restore transparency in music streaming, Deezer has officially become the first platform to tag albums containing AI-generated songs, giving listeners a clear heads-up when music is made entirely by artificial intelligence.

The feature — live as of today — comes in response to what Deezer says is a sharp rise in AI-generated uploads. According to the company, nearly one in five songs (18%) uploaded daily are now fully created by AI tools like Suno and Udio — amounting to over 20,000 tracks per day.

“We’ve seen a major uptick in AI-generated music lately, and it’s not slowing down,” said Alexis Lanternier, Deezer CEO. “We’re committed to leading the industry in giving fans full transparency. It’s not about being for or against AI — it’s about being honest and protecting human creativity.”

AI Music: A Tool for Some, a Problem for Many

While AI music currently accounts for only 0.5% of total streams on the platform, Deezer says the real concern is fraud. Internal data shows that up to 70% of all AI-generated song streams come from bots, not real listeners. These fraudulent streams are often used to manipulate royalty payments.

To combat this, Deezer is excluding AI-only songs from both algorithmic and editorial playlists, and removing them from royalty calculations if there’s evidence of manipulation.

“We’re Fighting AI with AI”

Deezer isn’t just tagging these songs manually. Behind the scenes, the company has developed a powerful AI music detection system — so advanced that it can spot synthetic content created by popular generators like Suno and Udio, even without specific training data.

This cutting-edge tech is now the subject of two patent applications filed in late 2024, covering different techniques for identifying “unique signatures” in synthetic audio.

Deezer says the system can also be adapted to detect content from other AI tools, as long as it has access to a few examples.

Industry Risks: €4 Billion in Royalties Could Be at Stake

Deezer’s effort comes at a time when the music industry is grappling with the rise of generative AI — and what it means for artists. A CISAC and PMP Strategy study, co-produced with help from Deezer, warns that by 2028, AI could put up to 25% of global creators’ revenue at risk — potentially costing artists €4 billion.

As AI tools grow more sophisticated and copyright rules face pressure from governments and tech firms alike, platforms like Deezer are stepping into the fight.

“This is about standing up for real artists and songwriters,” Lanternier said. “We’re not just tagging content. We’re drawing a line in the sand.”

Deezer is currently the only major music platform to sign a global statement on responsible AI training, signaling its commitment to protecting artists’ rights in the digital age.

What’s Next?

While most AI-generated songs uploaded to Deezer aren’t even streamed by users, the sheer volume is creating catalog bloat — and fraudsters are finding ways to exploit it. Deezer’s new tagging system is designed to give fans clarity and limit the impact of fake content on what’s meant to be a space for real music.

For now, the company’s message is simple: AI has its place — but it shouldn’t replace real creativity or manipulate the system.