YouTube Returns to Billboard Charts in 2027

YouTube will again contribute streaming data to Billboard’s chart calculations beginning in January 2027. The companies’ decision ends a dispute over the relative value of paid and free, ad-supported streams in music rankings.

Billboard’s updated formula will count 1,500 ad-supported streams as one album consumption unit, equal to one album sale or 1,000 streams from paid listeners. Previously, 2,500 ad-supported streams were needed to reach that unit. Paid listening will continue to carry more weight, but the difference between the two categories will narrow.

YouTube stopped sharing its data with Billboard in December 2025, arguing that the earlier formula undervalued free listening. The company said the revised methodology better reflects how fans use both subscription and ad-supported services.

Streaming performance contributes to Billboard’s major charts, including the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, as well as genre album charts and multi-metric song rankings. YouTube’s return will bring activity on the platform back into those calculations.

The platform features official clips, concert footage, lyric-focused videos and other music content. Billboard’s revised approach gives more weight to ad-supported streams from YouTube and other services, while retaining a higher value for paid streams.