Music recording certification

Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory (see List of music recording certifications). Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories, which are named after precious materials (gold, platinum, diamond).

Overview

Music recording certifications are awarded by the music industry based on the total units sold, streamed, or shipped to retailers. These awards and their requirements are defined by the various certifying bodies, such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the United Kingdom, and other music industry associations around the world. Certifications can apply to albums, singles, music videos, and digital downloads.

History

The first music certification program was established by the RIAA in 1958 to honor artists and track the commercial success of recordings. The original certification categories were Gold (for 500,000 units sold) and Platinum (for one million units sold). Over time, these thresholds have been adjusted in response to changes in the music market, including the introduction of digital downloads and streaming.

Certification thresholds

Certification thresholds vary from country to country, reflecting differences in population, music consumption, and market size. For example, a Gold album in the United States requires 500,000 units sold, while in the United Kingdom, it requires 100,000 units. The criteria for what counts as a "unit" also varies, with some countries counting each sale of a multi-disc album as multiple units, and others considering streams and downloads in their certification calculations.

Types of certifications

• Gold certification: Typically awarded for the lowest sales threshold.
• Platinum certification: Awarded for achieving higher sales thresholds.
• Diamond certification: Awarded in some countries for extremely high sales, often ten times the platinum threshold.
• Multi-Platinum certification: Awarded for multiples of the platinum threshold.

Digital certifications

With the rise of digital music consumption, certifying bodies have begun to include digital downloads and streaming numbers in their certification calculations. The criteria for digital certifications vary, with some organizations requiring a certain number of streams to be equivalent to one sale.

Criticism and controversies

Music recording certifications have faced criticism and controversies, including accusations of manipulation and inflation of sales figures. Some artists and industry insiders have questioned the relevance and accuracy of these certifications in the digital age.

See also

• List of music recording certifications
• Recording Industry Association of America
• British Phonographic Industry

External links

• RIAA official website
• BPI official website