SoundScan

SoundScan is a data-collection service that tracks music sales in the United States and Canada. It provides detailed sales information used to compile major industry charts, most prominently the Billboard charts. SoundScan gathers point-of-sale data from a wide network of retailers, including brick-and-mortar music stores, department and mass merchants, online retailers, and digital music platforms. Over time, the system has expanded to include digital downloads and, more recently, streaming activity with units converted into comparable sale figures.

The service is produced and maintained by Nielsen Music (originally SoundScan) and is considered a primary source for measuring music consumption. The data are reported to Billboard and other music industry publications, shaping chart rankings for albums, tracks, and videos. Because SoundScan counts actual sales rather than self-reported estimates, it was a major development in legitimizing chart metrics and influencing marketing, radio airplay decisions, and artist recognition.

Critics have noted limitations, such as omission of some independent retailers or changes in how streaming is scored. Nonetheless, SoundScan remains the principal data source for U.S. and Canadian sales according to major music charts and industry analysis.