YouTube to stop sharing data with Billboard from 2026
Starting January 16, 2026, YouTube will no longer share its streaming numbers with Billboard.
This means plays on YouTube will no longer be counted for the Hot 100 and Billboard 200 charts.
The change comes after a clash over how streams should be counted.
Why is this happening?
YouTube believes every stream—paid or free—should matter equally, with music chief Lyor Cohen saying, "We believe every fan matters and every play should count equally."
Billboard disagrees, giving more weight to paid streams.
Because of this split, songs that blow up on YouTube might not chart as high anymore.
What does it mean for music fans?
This could shake up what lands at the top of the charts.
If you discover new tracks mostly through YouTube, you might notice your favorites ranking lower than before.
It's a big shift in how music success gets measured—and it could change which artists get their moment in the spotlight.