YouTube streaming data returns to Billboard charts, ending major disagreement

YouTube will resume sharing streaming data with Billboard in 2027 after changes to Billboard's chart formula, which now gives more weight to ad-supported streams. The disagreement began in December 2025 when YouTube stopped sharing data, citing that Billboard's formula favored paid subscriptions over ad-supported streams. Billboard updated its formula to reduce the gap between paid and ad-supported streams, making 1,000 paid streams equal to 1,500 ad-supported streams in album consumption units. YouTube will resume sharing data in 2027, which could impact many artists, especially independent musicians, by giving more credit to free streams that contribute to chart positions.