SoundScan is used by the music industry to track US and Canada sales towards the Billboard music charts.
Note: This help article only applies if you are selling music (albums or singles) on Fourthwall.
Overview
Nielsen SoundScan is an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada. Nielsen SoundScan is the sales source for the Billboard Music Charts. In order to be eligible for tracking, all UPC codes must be registered with Nielsen SoundScan.
UPC/ISRC Code registration
Any music product that carries a UPC or EAN barcode and ISRC code is eligible to be tracked by SoundScan. In order to have a chance at making the Billboard music charts, any release must be registered with SoundScan using UPC (Universal Product Code) number (for the whole album) and ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) codes (for the individual tracks). Without registration, the sales figures will not be counted, and will remain invisible to the system. Only after you have your codes purchased, can you start the registration of your album, audio tracks, and videos.
Adding your UPC/ISRC to your Fourthwall product
Once you have your UPC/ISRC, navigate to the product listing in your Fourthwall dashboard. In the top right corner you will see three dots like the image below. Click there.
That will open your product options. Click on Advance settings and check the box where it says "This is a SoundScan product". That will reveal additional information for you to enter like you see in the image below. Select your product type, product format, and enter your UPC/ISRC in the SoundScan code box.
Submitting your reports
Fourthwall does not automatically submit your SoundScan reports. You'll need to do the following:
- Download your report
- Report your sales directly to SoundScan by sending in the downloaded report
For more information about SoundScan and music reporting, please read this article by music agency YML.