Record sales are measured by two different means, one for first week/weekly/chart purposes, the other for gold/platinum status. Soundscan measures weekly sales, which influences the Billboard charts and radio play, The RIAA measures record label sales which certifies gold and platinum status.

Because RIAA numbers effectively represent sales at a wholesale level and Soundscan at a retail, an album may easily be certified gold or platinum before it's sales numbers actually reflect it on Soundscan.

In addition, RIAA treats physical and digital sales separately, while Soundscan counts only by UPC code, which, depending on the genre/artist, can also create a significant discrepancy in the numbers.

RIAA Certifications

RIAA (Recording Industry Associatin of America) gives gold, platinum and diamond certification for albums and singles. Certifications are for units shipped to retailers, not necessarily those sold to customers. Certification is not automatic, but has to be requested and paid for ($300) by the label. The label also has to supply the paperwork verifying the quantity of CDs shipped. The certification process cannot be requested until 4 weeks after the album's street date, in case retailers return the album shipments to the label. "Double albums" are counted as 2 CDs, so if a double album sells 1 million it actually has reached double platinum status.

Album certifications
Diamond - 10 million
Platinum - 1 million
Gold - 500,000

Certification Criteria

Along with minimum sales figures, a number of other criteria accompany each title for certification. The list and table below describe what titles and types of sales can be considered for the awards.
Each company that requests RIAA® certification must be a firm or corporation that has headquarters in the United States and is engaged in the legitimate production and sale of sound recordings.
Recordings become eligible for certification 30 days after initial street date. Audio and music video titles may be requested for award certification starting 30 days after product is commercially available to consumers.
Only domestic sales and sales to U.S. military post exchanges may be included. The requesting company must separate PX sales from other accounts on sales sheets. Export sales outside the United States are not included in certification.
Club sales and club free goods may be included towards certification. Product shipped to retail, mail order, record clubs, TV marketing and other ancillary markets are combined toward certified sales. All shipments to these accounts must be verified by the label.
Promotional radio and press copies, cut-outs, inventory sell-offs and surplus sales are not included toward certification.
Catalog product, specifically pre-1972 album releases, are eligible for certification by meeting either the unit shipment or manufacturer's dollar requirement for each award level.


RIAA® Gold and Platinum Certification Requirements

Configuration
Gold® Certification
Platinum® Certification
Multi-Platinum™ Certification

In 2004, the RIAA announced the formal launch of the Digital Sales award. Developed to recognize the significant sales of the burgeoning digital music market.

In 2006, the RIAA announced the formal launch of a Master Ringtone Sales Award, updating its 47-year old Gold and Platinum program to recognize the growing popularity of enjoying music through cellular phones.

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SOUNDSCAN
Nielsen SoundScan is an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada (separately). Sales data from point-of-sale cash registers is collected weekly from over 14,000 retail, mass merchant and non-traditional (on-line stores, venues, etc.) outlets. In addition, numerous concert venue sites are registered to report onsite sales. Weekly data is compiled and made available every Wednesday to participating retailers, record labels, Billboard and the radio industry. Nielsen SoundScan is the sales source for the Billboard music charts. The ever important "first week sales" numbers come from Soundscan.

It is important to note that Soundscan is a subscription service and requires computerized point of sale equipment. Therefore, many independent and small urban retailers do not report their sales. This has been seen to have the most impact on the sales data from the Rap/HipHop market.

THE STORES BELOW ARE KNOWN TO REPORT TO SOUNDSCAN

Amazon.com
Walmart
KMart
Target
Best Buy
Circuit City
Meijers
Borders
Barnes & Noble
FYE
Sam Goody's
most independent (non-chain) music stores (ask !!!!)
Walgreens (but no other drug store chains !!!!)
Fred Meyers

iTunes
---------Counts as an album sale if you click on "Purchase Album"
---------Counts as the download of a "single track" if you purchase songs individually.


DO NOT REPORT TO SOUNDSCAN

Grocery stores
drug stores (except Walgreens)
Hallmark stores
Discount wholesalers - BJs, Sams, Costco
Christian book/music stores

How do I register a title with Nielsen Soundscan?
To register with Nielsen SoundScan, you must fill out and submit a Title Addition Form to the Database Department. Forms must be submitted at least three weeks before the project’s release date.


What is the fee to register a title?
There is no fee to register a title in the Nielsen SoundScan database.


How long does it take for a title to be registered?
Once we receive the Title Addition Form, it can take up to 10-15 business days to be registered. Please submit your Title Addition Form at least three weeks before the project's release date.


How can I get an ISRC or UPC code?
Nielsen SoundScan does not provide ISRC or UPC codes/barcodes. Please read the following carefully:

ISRC
If you are based in the United States, you may apply for an ISRC Registrant code through the RIAA. You can also email them at isrc@riaa.com. If you are not based in the United States, please visit the IFPI at www.ifpi.org to find the ISRC Agency in your territory.

UPC/Bar Codes
For UPC or Barcode information, contact GS1 at 937-435-3870. You can also email them at info@gs1us.org or visit them on the web at http://barcodes.gs1us.org.

*UPC - Universal Product Code
*ISRC - International Standard Recording Code
*RIAA - Recording Industry Association of America
*IFPI - International Federation of the Phonographic Industry


If a title is sold before it is registered with Nielsen SoundScan, will those sales be applied?
No, we are a weekly tracking service, collecting data sold from the previous Monday through Sunday.


Who uses Nielsen SoundScan data?
Nielsen SoundScan clients include all major and most independent record companies, distribution companies, artist managers, booking agents, concert promoters, venue owners, traditional retailers, online retailers and digital delivery companies.

Since March 1, 1991, Billboard Magazine charts have been constructed directly from Nielsen SoundScan data. MTV, VH1, CMT and all major media regularly use Nielsen SoundScan data as well.

Who reports sales to Nielsen SoundScan and is there a list of reporting Retailers available?
Nielsen SoundScan collects point-of-sales information from Retail, Mass Merchant, Independent Retail, Internet Retail sites, Venues, Mail Order and Digital Download providers.

Due to confidentiality agreements with our information providers, we cannot supply a list of reporting stores or web sites.