Bandcamp bans all AI-generated music content with zero tolerance policy. Apple launches Creative Studio bundle for $12.99/month including Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Pixelmator Pro. Bandcamp Friday 2026 dates announced starting February 6 with 100% artist revenue share.

Music marketing experts warn against vanity metrics, emphasizing Spotify saves over stream purchases for algorithmic growth. Big Thief leveraged fan memes and early playlist pitching for international expansion. TikTok cuts creator support team while expanding ad sales, signaling platform priority shift.

Google AI falsely labels musician as sex offender, causing venue cancellations. Record Store Day 2026 set for April 18 with January application deadline. Anna's Archive scrapes 99.9% of Spotify's metadata and 86 million music files in massive data breach.

Mid-tier music festivals collapse in 2025, leaving indies with basement venues or major stages only. Spotify eliminates Basic music-only tier to bundle audiobooks and reduce songwriter royalties. Apple Music offers free animated artwork tools and 62% better streaming payouts.

Instagram cuts hashtag limit from 30 to 5, ending spam tactics for reach. Black Octopus Sound offers 3GB of free samples plus $100 starter pack. Los Campesinos! reveals 9.3M Spotify streams earned £32k, with Apple Music paying 62% more per stream.

FL Studio launches full-featured web browser version in public beta at fl.studio. YouTube introduces A/B testing for titles and thumbnails based on watch time metrics. Bandcamp announces 8 fee-free Fridays for 2026 starting February 6, where artists keep 100% of sales.

Universal Audio extends free plugin offer with code HOLIDAYFREEBIE through December 31. Instagram launches Story resharing and Early Access Reels for follower engagement. Bain & Company study shows 56% discover music via playlists, 43% through social media.

YouTube launches collaboration feature allowing up to 5 creators per video with individual subscribe buttons. Artists advised to leverage Spotify Wrapped data for booking leverage. Hosting intimate listening parties with 30 top fans builds grassroots marketing teams.

Music publicists reject bios starting with 'Born and raised in,' demanding 400-500 words focused on current sound and wins. Sonica platform launches a Spotify alternative offering artists 100% sales revenue and 4GB free storage. Kickstarter crowdfunding requires 60-day soft launch for success.