Apple Music

Do music streams on Apple Music count for Billboard charts?

Yes, music streams from Apple Music count for the U.S. Billboard charts. Apple Music is classified as a paid, on-demand streaming platform, and its streams are considered one of the core metrics in Billboard's formulas for ranking both individual songs (on the Hot 100) and albums (on the Billboard 200).

How to Stream

Note: You can ONLY use Apple Music by paying for a subscription or using a free trial.

Access or download Apple Music on your device.
- Android: Download from Google Play.
- iOS: Use the Music app built into your device. If you offloaded it, download it from the App Store.
- Windows/Linux: Use the Apple Music Web Player.
- Mac: Use the Music app built into your device.
Create an Apple ID if you don't already have one.
Purchase an Apple Music plan.

To stream music effectively on Apple Music (iTunes) for Billboard charting, here are some tips to maximize your impact:

Use a Paid Subscription: Streams from paid Apple Music subscriptions carry more weight on Billboard charts compared to free or trial accounts.
Play the Full Song: Ensure you listen to the entire track without skipping, as partial plays may not count.
Avoid Muting: Keep the volume on, even if it's low. Muted streams might not be counted.
Create Playlists: Add the song or album to a playlist and play it on repeat. This helps accumulate streams efficiently. Tip: Albums/songs purchased from the iTunes Store count as purchases, not streams. To make your streams count, delete any purchased album/song from your music library before streaming.
Avoid Excessive Repetition: While repeating is fine, avoid overdoing it in a short time frame, as it may be flagged as artificial streaming.
Stream Across Devices: Use multiple devices with different accounts to increase streams, as long as they are legitimate and not automated.
Share with Friends: Encourage others to stream the music on their own accounts to boost overall numbers.