Key Highlights:
- 20,000 daily AI tracks on Deezer rarely get played — focus on quality, not quantity.
- Fraud risks and catalog clutter call for better AI labeling and curation.
- Human artists succeed by emphasizing storytelling and being transparent.
Streaming platform Deezer now sees over 20,000 AI-generated tracks uploaded every day — making up 18% of all new music. But here’s the surprising part: most of these computer-made songs never get played. This invisible flood isn’t stealing listeners from human artists; instead, it’s creating a growing pile of digital clutter that raises important questions about what we value in music.
Daily uploads of AI-generated tracks on Deezer double
Deezer first noticed this trend in January 2025, when they counted about 10,000 daily AI uploads (10% of new tracks). By April, that number doubled to 20,000 tracks per day—nearly 1 in 5 new uploads comes from AI. The platform created a tool to spot tracks made by AI programs like Suno and Udio, though it has trouble identifying songs that mix human and AI creation.
Despite all these uploads, Deezer admits most AI tracks sit unplayed, adding to catalog bloat and potential scams. “AI-generated content continues to flood platforms, and we see no slowdown,” says Deezer’s Chief Innovation Officer Aurélien Hérauld.
3 things you need to know:
1. Buried Treasure: Every unplayed AI track pushes human artists deeper in streaming platforms’ massive libraries. With 120 million songs already on Deezer, getting discovered becomes harder—especially when anyone can flood the system with AI content.
2. Scam Potential: Unchecked AI uploads could let “streaming farms” game the royalty system. Deezer’s artist-focused model tries to counter this by prioritizing tracks that real fans actively seek out. In 2023 alone, Deezer removed 26 million “useless” tracks.
3. The Human Touch: Ironically, this AI flood highlights what machines can’t copy: emotional connection. A recent study found 71% of music creators worry AI threatens their careers, yet listeners still want human stories—93% of creators believe being transparent about AI use is essential.
6 ways for human artists to stand out in the age of AI-generated music
1. Be Authentic: Use AI for rough drafts or background sounds if you want, but lead with your unique voice. Songs that blend human creativity with some AI assistance perform best in Deezer’s recommendations.
2. Find Your Community: Partner with playlist curators or focus on specific music communities. Algorithms favor engagement—AI-generated tracks lack real fan connections.
3. Stay Informed: Tools like Deezer’s AI detector show what’s trending (and what’s ignored). Learn from trends without just copying them.
4. Be Honest: Clearly label when AI helped create your music. Fans appreciate honesty.
5. Use AI Wisely: Try AI music tools for inspiration, not replacement. Recent lawsuits show the risks of using systems trained on unlicensed music.
6. Speak Up: Support policies that require AI companies to license the music they use for training, as 90% of creators recommend.
The AI music surge isn’t stealing listeners — it’s drowning in its own flood.
For artists, the challenge isn’t competing with robots but standing out from the noise. As AI detection tools like MatchTune and Ircam Amplify improve and policies develop, human creativity becomes more valuable precisely because machines can’t capture what makes music truly connect with people.
