Billboard Clarification of 8x Platinum RIAA Certification

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Dec 27, 2000 Source: Billboard Submitted By: hicl From the Ask Billboard Section Explaining Gold & Platinum Dear Keith, I have a question on the sales of the Backstreet Boys album "Black & Blue." I have been watching its sales through the first four weeks of its release and I thought it had sold roughly 3.5 million copies. Yet when I checked the albums chart it said the album had gone platinum eight times. It would have had to sell 2 million copies a week. Please end my headache and explain. Sincerely, Joe Jwhitis Hi Joe, I think I received about 20 e-mails this week regarding this specific topic. We usually receive a handful of queries each week about how albums are certified, and the differences between SoundScan and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). However, with "Black & Blue" being certified as having shipped eight million units, it's no surprise that the "Ask Billboard" mailbox was brimming with queries. SoundScan monitors over-the-counter sales. Billboard's albums and singles sales charts are compiled from the national sample of retail stores, mass merchant, and Internet sales reports collected and compiled by SoundScan. The RIAA is the record label trade group that certifies albums and singles gold (500,000 units shipped) or platinum (1,000,000 units). The RIAA's certification levels are based on unit shipments (minus returns) from manufacturers to a wide range of accounts, including non-retail record clubs, mail order houses, and specialty stores, as well as units shipped for Internet fulfillment or direct marketing sales. Taking this into account, it's not terribly surprising that "Black & Blue" has been certified as having shipped 8 million units. Most retailers probably ordered a lot of the CD, expecting it to sell well over the holidays. Remember, when the RIAA certifies an album as having shipped 8 million units, that does not mean that as many have yet been purchased by consumers. "Black & Blue" has moved about 3.4 million units in the U.S., according to SoundScan. Also, remember that Billboard does not have anything to do with awarding gold or platinum certifications. Record labels apply to the RIAA for certification. For further information about how the RIAA works, visit its Web site. Comment on this item. Recent Comments Submitted by: Ann Submitted by: Mary Submitted by: Louise Submitted by: Antony Submitted by: Kevin Submitted by: Shawn Submitted by: Kelly Submitted by: Louise Comment on this item. Next Item: Andrew Fromm Talks About B&B Tour, 'The Call' Prev Item: Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean Returns As Johnny No-Name