SNEP changes the rules of streaming - Evolution of the Rules and Methodology of Certifications by SNEP
Since January 2016, the rules surrounding music certifications awarded by the SNEP have changed considerably, marking a major shift in the recognition of hits on streaming platforms such as Spotify. Previously, certifications were granted upon request from labels, based on gross sales excluding taxes. However, since that date, the process has been automated to reflect the sales thresholds reached each week.
Integration of Streaming Listening into Certifications
Starting in January 2016, SNEP incorporated streaming performance into the calculation of certifications. This development was a crucial pivot, allowing artists to see their success reflected not only by physical sales and downloads, but also by listener engagement on digital platforms.
New Adaptations since July 2024
Since July 2024, a new update has been introduced by the SNEP, aiming to take into account more broadly the modes of consumption of streaming music. From now on, listens from premium subscriptions as well as those from freemium consumption (financed by advertising) are taken into consideration for the calculation of best sales and certifications. A specific conversion rule has been established, assigning to 7 freemium listens the value of one premium listen in this calculation.
Impact on Certifications for Singles and Albums
For singles, certifications are now based on a combination of streaming, downloads, and physical sales. Downloads are converted to stream equivalents, at a ratio of 1 download = 150 streams, and added to the track's streaming volumes to determine their ranking.
For albums, physical sales and downloads are combined with streaming streams, converted to sales equivalent. The conversion method for albums considers the cumulative streaming streams of all tracks, adjusted according to the most streamed title, and converted on the basis of 1500 streams equaling one sale.
Certification Thresholds
Certification thresholds vary for singles and albums, reflecting the number of streams or equivalent sales needed to achieve different levels of recognition. For example, a single requires 15 million equivalent streams to be certified gold, while an album must reach 50,000 equivalent sales to achieve gold certification.
Why SNEP Changed its Rules
The changes made by the SNEP in 2024 aim to better reflect the diversity of music consumption patterns and to maintain the relevance of certifications in a constantly evolving musical landscape. Taking into account freemium streams and ad-funded video views responds to a need to adapt success criteria to the contemporary realities of the music market.
Impact on the French Rap Sector
These changes could have a significant impact on the rap scene, allowing less financially established artists, who benefit from strong listening on freemium platforms, to better position themselves in the charts. However, the conversion factor of 7 for freemium streams underlines a desire to maintain fairness in the evaluation of musical successes, by taking into account the differences in revenue generated by these modes of consumption.
In conclusion, the new SNEP rules represent a strategic response to the current challenges of the music market, while seeking to preserve the integrity of certifications as an indicator of popularity and commercial success. These adjustments should continue to shape the future of music charts in France, taking into account the technological and economic realities of music streaming.
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