RIAA to begin counting streams toward gold and platinum certification

The RIAA have announced via Billboard Biz that they will begin counting streams from services like Spotify, Vevo, YouTube, Rhapsody and more toward gold and platinum record certification, marking the first time the RIAA have recognized a non-sales format in thier 55-year history.

Every 100 streams of a track will now be weighted as one digital download. The RIAA says this “is an approximate barometer of comparative consumer activity; the financial value of streams and downloads were not factored into the equation.” 

Following the change, works like Thirty Seconds To Mars' “This Is War,” Gym Class Heroes' “The Fighter” and M83's “Midnight City” and many more have earned certification.

We think we can expect to see more artists from our scene going platinum and gold following this change. What do you think?