Stay Ahead: April 2026 DSP & UGC Platform Updates

Each month, we round up the most important updates across DSPs and UGC platforms.

April’s edition covers Spotify’s Verified badge and expanded Countdown Pages access, Amazon Music’s Bandsintown integration, and SoundCloud’s Follower Exclusive Releases.

Read on for the key updates. 🚀

Spotify: Verified by Spotify

What’s New

Spotify has introduced the Verified by Spotify badge, now appearing globally on artist profiles across mobile and desktop. Verification is based on consistent listener activity, good standing with Spotify’s platform policies, and signals of a real artist behind the profile. This includes an identifiable presence both on and off-platform, such as concert dates, merchandise, and linked social media accounts.

The rollout began this month and will continue over the coming months.

How to Make It Work for You

• Ensure artist profiles are fully updated with linked social media accounts, merchandise, and tour dates.
• Make the most of your artist profile using Artist Pick, Artist Playlists, Bio, and Clips.
• Communicate to your artists that verification will roll out over the coming weeks and months.
• Not seeing the badge immediately does not mean an artist will not be verified.

More on Verified by Spotify →

Spotify: Countdown Pages Now Open to More Artists

What’s New

Spotify has lowered the Countdown Pages eligibility threshold from 5,000 to 3,000 monthly active listeners, expanding access to more developing artists. The video component is also being renamed from CDP Clips to Countdown Videos, with no change in functionality.

According to Spotify, Countdown Pages deepen fandom, with nearly 1 in 7 listeners who pre-save becoming highly engaged listeners by the end of release week.

How to Make It Work for You

• Activate Countdown at least seven days before release. Spotify data shows nearly 2x more pre-saves.
• Add Countdown Videos (vertical video, under 30 seconds) as a standard part of your marketing campaign for eligible artists.

More on Countdown Pages →

Amazon Music: Bandsintown Integration

What’s New

Amazon Music has integrated with Bandsintown, automatically surfacing concert listings on artist profiles worldwide. Shows published through Bandsintown for Artists appear on artist profiles, and fans receive push notifications for nearby shows. Full availability across iOS and Android will rollout in early May.

How to Make It Work for You

• Set up a Bandsintown profile if your artists do not already have one.
• Add all tour dates for your artiststo Bandsintown.

More on Amazon Music and Bandsintown →

SoundCloud: Follower Exclusive Releases

What’s New

SoundCloud has launched Follower Exclusive Releases for Artist Pro subscribers, allowing artists to share tracks directly with followers before or outside a formal release. Drops can be time-limited or open-ended, and support demos, works in progress, and unreleased material.

How to Make It Work for You

• Use exclusive drops to maintain engagement between official releases.
• Test demos or unreleased tracks directly with your audience.

More on SoundCloud Follower Exclusive Releases →

Stay Informed

April’s updates highlight a stronger focus on artist identity, along with new ways to connect streaming with live activity and fan engagement.

We’ll continue breaking down the platform changes that impact how your music is released, discovered, and supported throughout 2026.