Bandcamp Bans AI-Generated Music and Audio

Bandcamp has taken a definitive stance on artificial intelligence in music.

In an announcement made on Tuesday (January 13th), the platform confirmed it will ban AI-generated audio and music, articulating a clearer policy so that “fans have confidence that the music they find on Bandcamp was created by humans”.

“We believe that the human connection found through music is a vital part of our society and culture, and that music is much more than a product to be consumed. It’s the result of a human cultural dialog stretching back before the written word,” the platform wrote in the announcement.

“Bandcamp was built to directly connect artists and their fans, and to make it easy for fans to support artists equitably so that they can keep making music.”

According to the new policy, music and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI will not be permitted on Bandcamp, and any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is also strictly prohibited – in accordance with existing impersonation and intellectual property policies.

It has added an AI reporting tool to its website, so users can report if they believe music or audio is AI generated, with a reminder than Bandcamp reserves the right to remove it on suspicion.

“With this policy, we’re putting human creativity first, and we will be sure to communicate any updates to the policy as the rapidly changing generative AI space develops,” the platform wrote.

Bandcamp plays an important role in the independent music landscape, reporting a $19 million in payouts to artists in 2025 through its Bandcamp Fridays program, where the platform waives its revenue share, so that money spent on music and merch goes straight to the creators – a simple idea that has grown into a massive force for sustainability among creators.

Bandcamp Fridays has run for five years, with a total $154 million reportedly paid directly to artists and labels. It is returning in 2026 on February 6th.