YouTube is set to feed its play counts back into Billboard’s charts starting in 2027. The move follows a tweak to the chart formula that now values free, ad‑supported streams more heavily. After years of arguing over …

Billboard’s decision to adjust its weighting scheme was the catalyst. By giving free streams a larger share of the calculation, the organization opened the door for YouTube’s massive audience to influence rankings aga…

The revised formula treats a free, ad‑supported stream almost on par with a paid subscription play. Previously, paid streams carried a premium multiplier, while free streams were heavily discounted or ignored altogeth…

Industry analysts note that the shift mirrors the broader trend of listeners gravitating toward free tiers. As ad‑supported services grow, chart compilers have to reflect where the audience actually consumes music. Bi…