YouTube data will once again be factored into the US Billboard charts from 2027, following a revised methodology that the streaming platform says better reflects how fans consume music across subscription and ad-supported services.

YouTube Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen announced the development in a blog post on November 9, saying the new methodology addresses concerns over the representation of music consumption on the charts.

YouTube’s data was removed from Billboard’s calculations after January 16, 2026, following a disagreement over the chart’s methodology.

The platform had argued that the existing formula gave greater weight to subscription-based streams than ad-supported ones, thereby undervaluing engagement from fans who do not pay for subscriptions.

In its original announcement in December 2025, YouTube had said it wanted every stream to be counted fairly and equally, irrespective of whether it came from a subscription or an ad-supported service.

It also pointed to the popularity of music videos, live streams and artist-led channels as evidence of the diverse ways audiences engage with music on the platform.

The company said the earlier formula failed to capture the full extent of fan engagement, particularly among users accessing music through free, ad-supported services.

It had subsequently stopped sharing its data with Billboard after a decade-long partnership and discussions over the issue failed to produce meaningful changes.

Welcoming the revised methodology, YouTube said the return to the charts would ensure a better representation of how fans engage with music today across different platforms and services.