Tidal will stop paying royalties to anyone whose music is identified as wholly AI-generated.
From 29 June, the streaming service applies a strict line between human and machine output. Tracks flagged as 100% AI will remain on the platform, but they will earn nothing from streaming or direct-to-fan sales.
“Starting today, AI-generated music will not be monetisable,” the company states. “Tidal’s priority is ensuring royalties go to original works directly produced, written, and performed by people. We will therefore not knowingly attribute royalties to music we identify as wholly AI-generated.”
AI music is not banned. Releases continue to be accepted if they meet content standards and distribution rules. Starting in mid-July, fully AI tracks will carry a dedicated label. Tidal plans to expand this tagging system later to include content that is substantially AI-generated as detection technology improves.
The policy also targets what Tidal calls fraudulent uploads. Music designed to impersonate artists, mislead listeners, manipulate streaming numbers, or flood the service with mass-produced releases may be blocked or removed.
“We will not tolerate AI-generated music that exploits an individual’s or group’s music, name or likeness, deceives listeners, or diminishes the quality of our service,” the platform says.
The rules apply to Tidal Upload, the self-service distribution tool for independent artists. If a release is deemed wholly AI-generated, it stays on the service but receives the appropriate tag and no monetisation.
This move arrives as streaming services face a surge in machine-made content. Viral acts like The Velvet Sundown have gathered millions of streams, sparking debate over artist compensation and the ability of platforms to distinguish human work from machine output.
Earlier this month, Deezer launched a free online AI music detector. The tool lets users check playlists for AI tracks and uses Deezer’s existing detection technology. It works with 20 of the most popular music streaming platforms in the market.
What it means
For independent producers and labels using AI tools, the financial incentive to upload on Tidal disappears. You can still release music, but the service will not share in the revenue if it identifies the track as fully synthetic.
