Mike Fine and Mike Shalett created SoundScan to effectively
track music sales and music video products.
SoundSan is the official method for tracking music sales throughout the
US and Canada. Billboard music charts
use the SoundScan tracking system to represents their figures every week.
Albums sales have fall to its lowest rates ever in the
US. As of the end on January 2014, there
were only 4.25 million sales in America-the poorest return since records began in
2001. Nielsen SoundScan first began
tracking music sales back in 1991. The
sales that were registered as of January 2014 tracked both CD and vinyl sales,
but represented the lowest figure in sales since the previous lowest figure of 4.49 million as of October 2013. The data
collected for January 2014, also represented a decline in digital album and
track downloads, for the first time since 2001.
A steady decline has been noticed since 2010, as digital
downloads and sales were introduced. The
first year digital albums sales were introduced it caused a decline in annual
sales by 12%. The following year a
significant recovery was experienced with the released of Adele’s 21, storming
the charts and becoming the best selling album of the year.
Album sales had dropped again by 4% back in 2012, but 2013
it was even worst with an 8% drop in sales.
Before 2010 it was very rare for weekly sales totally 5m units. Less than 5 million units in sales was a very rare
situation, thus experiencing it about 3 to 4 times in a year. 2013 had a total of 18 weeks with less than
5million units sold.
For anyone selling music products and interested in sales feedback by SoundScan all is needed is to complete a title registration or ISRC registration online. Taking 3-5 business days, recommending this form to be requested about 2 weeks from products release date.
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