How Independent Artists Can Register to Chart on Billboard

For many independent artists, getting a song to chart on Billboard feels like a major-label-only dream. But the truth is, Billboard charts are built on data—and if your music isn’t registered in the right systems, your success won’t be counted. If you want to chart, you must register your music properly. Here’s exactly how to do it.

MUSIC BUSINESS TIPS

Allison Thomas

5/9/20251 min read

🧾 Step 1: Get Your ISRC and UPC Codes

Before you can register anything, your music needs its unique identifiers:

ISRC Code (for each song): This is like a fingerprint for your audio track. It tracks streams and sales.
UPC/EAN Code (for your full project or album): This identifies the overall release (single, EP, or album).

If you distributed your music through DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore, you likely already have these. Look in your account dashboard.

📝 Step 2: Register Your Song with Luminate (Formerly Nielsen SoundScan)

This is the official system Billboard uses to track sales and streaming data.

You must register both your ISRC and UPC/EAN here:

✅ This registration ensures that every stream, digital sale, or physical copy you move is reported to Billboard.

📻 Step 3: Register with Mediabase for Radio Airplay Tracking

Radio spins can boost your chart position, especially for Billboard’s genre-specific charts.

To be eligible, submit your release here:

🔗 Register New Music with Mediabase

Tip: College, indie, and internet radio spins count too—don’t sleep on grassroots outreach.

🎤 Why Registration Matters for Independent Artists

You can have 10,000+ streams, radio play, and even press coverage—but none of it will count toward Billboard unless you're registered.

Registration tells Billboard:
➡️ “Hey, I’m here. Track me.”

No gatekeeper. No industry connect required. Just proper paperwork.

🚀 Bonus: How to Know If You're Eligible to Chart

You're eligible to chart on Billboard if you:

Have music available on major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, etc.)
Generate sales or streams in the U.S.
Register your ISRC and UPC/EAN with Luminate
Submit your song to Mediabase if pursuing radio

Independent artists chart every year because they do this correctly.

🎯 Final Step: Promote!

Once your song is registered, your focus shifts to promotion—but that’s another guide. For now, take the first step and register like a pro.

You’ve got Billboard-level music. Make sure it counts.