Bandcamp Bans “Heavy Use of Generative AI” in Uploads

Bandcamp has clarified its position on AI-generated uploads, emphasizing the importance of the “human connection found through music.”

As AI-generated content proliferates in nearly every creative field, Bandcamp has taken a stand. The online music and merch store has shared a new policy regarding the role of artificial intelligence in music sold on its platform, indicating that the company isn’t embracing the phenomenon with open arms.

Bandcamp’s blog post starts out esoteric. “Bandcamp’s mission is to help spread the healing power of music by building a community where artists thrive through the direct support of their fans,” it reads. “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.”

In light of this ethos, Bandcamp has introduced a new guideline: “Music and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI is not permitted on Bandcamp.” It further highlighted an existing policy, which states that “Any use of AI tools to impersonate other artists or styles is strictly prohibited.”

Importantly, though, the language of these guidelines lacks specificity, meaning that each subjective decision will likely be made on a case-by-case basis. How much AI-generated content in a single upload qualifies as “substantial?” How will the platform determine if AI was used for impersonation? It remains to be seen how Bandcamp intends to enforce its policies, although it notes that “we reserve the right to remove any music on suspicion of being AI-generated.”

The platform, which was founded by Ethan Diamond in 2007, has remained something of a folk hero for how much control it gives artists and labels — even after Epic Games bought it in March 2022 and sold it to Songtradr in September 2023. In December, Bandcamp announced that it paid out $19 million to uploaders in 2025 during its no-fee holidays on the first Friday of every month.

“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 blog post closes out. “Thank you.”

Follow Bandcamp:

Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok