SoundScan to Luminate: A Guide to Registering Your Music Sales

The music industry has witnessed a significant shift with the discontinuation of SoundScan, the agency known for tracking music sales and collaborating with Billboard charts. Accurate sales data is crucial for artists aiming to appear on Billboard charts, making it essential to understand the new system in place. Luminate has now taken over this role, continuing the legacy of SoundScan by tracking and collecting music sales data.

Understanding Luminate and Its Role

Luminate emerged from the merging of several entertainment data companies and continues to work with charts like Billboard, providing essential sales data. Accurate registration with Luminate ensures your music sales are tracked, which is critical for chart performance.

Registering Your Music with Luminate

Unlike SoundScan, Luminate doesn’t have an official site for direct registration. Instead, the process involves filling out a Google Docs form. Here’s a detailed guide on how to register your song:

Accessing the Registration Form:

• Search for “register with Luminate” on Google. The first link should direct you to an MRC Data support page.
• This page contains links to register song titles, album titles, and even track radio airplay through Media Base.

Choosing the Appropriate Form:

• Use the ISK page for singles and the Luminate Title Registration page for albums.
• Ensure you’re using the correct form based on whether you’re registering a single or an album.

Filling Out the Form:

• Log into the Google account associated with your music business.
• Collect necessary information from your distributor, such as the UPC (Universal Product Code) and release date.
• Fill in your contact information, song title, artist name, ISK code, default price, release date, label name, and distribution company.

Completing the Registration:

• Select “Independent” for your label if you’re an independent artist.
• Enter your distribution company’s name, such as DistroKid, Amuse, or CD Baby.
• Click “Next” to enter the UPC. The UPC is different from the ISK and is essential for tracking in the US and UK markets.
• For album tracks, note the track number to maintain consistency for future releases.
• Choose the genre of your track to finalize the registration.

Key Points to Remember

• Accurate sales data is essential for appearing on Billboard charts.
• The ISK and UPC codes are crucial for tracking your music sales.
• Ensure you have all relevant information from your distributor before starting the registration process.

By following these steps, you can successfully register your music with Luminate, ensuring your sales data is collected and reflected on Billboard charts. This transition from SoundScan to Luminate represents a streamlined approach to data collection in the music industry, making it easier for artists and labels to track their success.

Conclusion

The end of SoundScan and the rise of Luminate marks a new era in music data collection. This guide equips you with the knowledge to navigate this transition and ensure your music sales are properly registered and tracked. Accurate sales data is vital for chart performance, and by utilizing Luminate, artists and labels can continue to leverage valuable data to inform their strategies and celebrate their achievements in the competitive music market.