When a record (song or album) goes platinum, it means it has sold over 1 million units. These units include permanent digital downloads, physical album sales, and streaming equivalents where 150 streams count as one unit for singles and 1,500 streams equal one album sale. This certification is awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and represents a significant commercial achievement in the music industry.
What Going Platinum Means
- A record reaches platinum status after selling 1 million units.
- Units include physical sales, permanent downloads, and streams converted into sales.
- Platinum certification is a widely recognized industry milestone signaling commercial success.
Streaming and Certification
- For songs, 150 on-demand streams count as 1 unit.
- For albums, 1,500 on-demand streams (audio/video) count as 1 album sale.
- Streaming makes up part of total unit calculations but requires vast numbers to contribute significantly.
Context on Certifications
- Gold certification is awarded at 500,000 units sold.
- Platinum is the next tier at 1 million units.
- Beyond platinum, multi-platinum and diamond (10 million units) distinctions exist for higher sales.
In summary, a record going platinum is a formal recognition of selling over one million units, factoring in sales and streaming, marking a major commercial success in the music industry.