Dancehall & Reggae at Risk of Reduced Visibility as YouTube Plans to Pull Streaming Data from Billboard Charts

YouTube is officially pulling its streaming data from all Billboard charts (U.S. and global), signalling a major shift in how music success is measured in the digital era. The online video-sharing giant’s decision to pull its streaming data could dramatically reshape how global music genres are represented — and who gets counted. Beginning mid-January, the move ends a decade-long relationship and raises concerns that viral hits, visual-led releases and genres powered by free access — including Dancehall, Reggae, Afrobeats and Latin music — may now find themselves significantly underrepresented on the world’s most influential charts.

The split stems from a fundamental disagreement over Billboard’s methodology, which continues to prioritise paid subscription streams over ad-supported listening. Under the current formula, one paid stream is valued at 2.5 ad-supported streams, a system Billboard argues better reflects industry revenue. YouTube, however, contends that this approach discounts massive global audiences, particularly across the Caribbean, Africa and Latin America, where free, ad-supported streaming remains the primary mode of music consumption and discovery.

“Billboard uses an outdated formula that weights subscription-supported streams higher than ad-supported. This doesn’t reflect how fans engage with music today and ignores the massive engagement from fans who don’t have a subscription… …We’re simply asking that every stream is counted fairly and equally, whether it is subscription-based or ad-supported—because every fan matters and every play should count.” – YouTube contends.

The implications are far-reaching. For years, YouTube has been a launchpad for global hits driven by visuals, dance culture and community sharing — all pillars of genres like Dancehall, Reggae and Afrobeats. Billboard’s historic decision to include YouTube views in 2013 acknowledged that reality. Now, without YouTube data contributing to chart rankings, songs dominating streets, sound systems and social platforms may struggle to translate that momentum into chart recognition.

At the heart of the standoff is a growing industry divide: revenue versus reach. While Billboard continues to frame success through an economic lens, YouTube is championing cultural impact, accessibility and scale. As streaming habits continue to evolve beyond paywalls, the absence of YouTube data raises a pressing question for global music fans and artists alike — if charts no longer reflect where the world is listening, who do they really represent?