YouTube Will Stop Submitting Data to U.S. Billboard Charts in 2026

Starting next month, YouTube will no longer supply its streaming data for the U.S. Billboard charts, a significant policy shift announced by Lyor Cohen, the platform's Global Head of Music. This decision concludes a decade-long data-sharing partnership and originates from a fundamental clash over how Billboard assesses the value of a stream. The core issue is the chart's differential weighting of streams from paid subscription services compared to those from ad-supported, free tiers.

Billboard, owned by Penske Media Corporation, has long held that not all streams are equivalent in measuring listener intent. The chart compiler, which has tracked popular music since 1936, argues that a deliberate play on a premium service indicates stronger engagement than a passive, ad-supported listen, such as music played in the background of a video. This principle is applied industry-wide. Although Billboard recently adjusted its formula, changing the ratio from 3 ad-supported streams equaling one paid stream to a 2.5-to-1 ratio, this concession fell short. YouTube has persistently advocated for a 1:1 valuation, contending that both forms of listening represent genuine fan engagement and should contribute equally to chart position.

In a detailed post on the YouTube Music blog, Cohen explained the platform's rationale. "Billboard relies on an outdated model that unfairly prioritizes subscription streams over ad-supported ones," he wrote. "This fails to capture modern music consumption and disregards the immense audience of fans who engage without a paid subscription." Cohen highlighted that streaming now drives 84% of U.S. recorded music revenue as a key reason for demanding equitable treatment. The cutoff for data submission is set for January 16, 2026. It's important to note that YouTube will continue providing its data to Luminate, the independent data company that powers Billboard's charts, ensuring the information remains accessible to the wider music industry for other purposes.

The conflict underscores a deeper debate in the music industry about how to define success in a streaming-dominated landscape. Is it raw consumption volume or economic contribution that matters most? "This is a philosophical divide about value in the digital ecosystem," observes industry analyst Maria Chen. "Billboard's methodology inherently ties chart performance to revenue generation, while platforms like YouTube, which boasts over 2 billion logged-in monthly users, argue for metrics that reflect total audience reach and cultural impact, irrespective of direct payment."

Billboard responded to the announcement with a statement defending its approach. "Our charts aim to appropriately measure fan engagement by balancing multiple factors, including access, revenue, data verification, and sector feedback," a spokesperson said, expressing hope for a future reconciliation. The removal of YouTube's colossal dataset—encompassing streams from its main video platform and dedicated YouTube Music service—poses a substantial risk to the chart's current composition. This change could diminish the influence of viral, short-form video hits and genres popular with younger, ad-supported listeners, potentially reshaping the trajectory of what becomes a mainstream chart success.