RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording [Industry Association of America] operates an awards program based on the certified number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards. Certification is not automatic; for an award to be made, the record label must first request certification. The audit is conducted against net shipments after returns, which includes albums sold directly to retailers and one-stops, direct-to-consumer sales and other outlets.
Audit of RIAA certifications
The association is popularly known for its traditional gold and platinum certification of albums and songs in the United States and also participates in collective recording rights management. The private company Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman is responsible for auditing RIAA sales. According to the Recording Industry Association of America's official website, "All certification audits are conducted, for a fee, by Gelfand, Rennert and Feldman, LLP for the RIAA. If multiple certification levels are certified simultaneously, only an audit certification fee will be charged." The RIAA website also mentions privately held Rennert and Feldman, LLP as RIAA auditors in all certification correspondence.Description and qualifications
A Gold record is a song or album that sells 500,000 units. The award was launched in 1958; originally, the requirement for a Gold single was one million units sold and a Gold album represented $1 million in sales. In 1975, the additional requirement of 500,000 units sold was added for Gold albums. Reflecting growth in record sales, the Platinum award was added in 1976, for albums that sold one million units and for singles selling two million units. The Multi-Platinum award was introduced in 1984, signifying multiple Platinum levels of albums and singles. In 1989, the sales thresholds for singles were reduced to 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum, reflecting a decrease in sales of singles. In 1992, RIAA began counting each disc in a multi-disc set as one unit toward certification. Reflecting additional growth in music sales, the Diamond award was instituted in 1999 for albums or singles selling ten million units. Because of these changes in criteria, the sales level associated with a particular award depends on when the award was made.Nielsen SoundScan figures are not used in RIAA certification; the RIAA system predates Nielsen SoundScan and includes sales outlets Nielsen misses. Prior to Nielsen SoundScan, RIAA certification was the only audited and verifiable system for tracking music sales in the U.S.; it is still the only system capable of tracking 100% of sales. This system has permitted, at times, record labels to promote an album as Gold or Platinum simply based on large shipments. For instance, in 1978 the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band soundtrack shipped Platinum but was a sales bust, with two million returns. Similarly, all four solo albums by the members of Kiss simultaneously shipped Platinum that same year but did not reach the top 20 of the Billboard 200 album chart. The following year, the RIAA began requiring 120 days from the release date before recordings were eligible for certification, although that requirement has been reduced over the years and currently stands at 30 days. Upon criticism on why the RIAA won't adopt SoundScan as its source, Hilary Rosen, president of the recording association, defended their system: "We think the certification process represents an accurate sales picture and we’re comfortable with the numbers we release."
In the digital era, changes in the way music is consumed resulted in changes in the certification criteria. Actual album sales had dropped significantly, while digital download followed by streaming became increasingly dominant. On-demand audio and video streams started to be counted towards Digital Single units consumed in 2013. Track downloads and audio and video streams were then included in album certification in 2016 using formulas converting downloads and streams into the album units for certification purpose.
List of certifications
Records
- 500,000 units: Gold album
- 1,000,000 units: Platinum album
- 2,000,000+ units: Multi-Platinum album
- 10,000,000 units: Diamond album
- Each permanent digital album or physical album sale;
- 10 tracks from the album downloaded;
- 1,500 on-demand audio or video streams of songs from the album.
Multi-disc
A multi-disc set is defined as a package containing two or more CDs, or their equivalent in tape or album format. To qualify for certification, the set must comply with minimum running time requirements: a two-disc product requires a minimum duration of 90 minutes, while a three-disc or more product requires a minimum duration of 100 minutes. If the requirements are met, each individual package or unit within the set counts as one unit toward the overall certification total.For example, the Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, both double albums, were counted twice, meaning each album was certified diamond after 5 million copies were shipped. Multi-disc albums from the vinyl era are also eligible for certification. Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Beatles' White Album, both vinyl-era, are also counted as double even though their running times are under the minimum requirement.
Latin
Since 2000, the RIAA also awards Los Premios de Oro y de Platino to Latin albums, which are defined by the RIAA as a type of product that features at least 51% of content in Spanish.| Certification | Units required | Units required |
| Disco de Oro | 30,000 | 50,000 |
| Disco de Platino | 60,000 | 100,000 |
| Disco de Multi-Platino | 120,000 | 200,000 |
| Disco de Diamante | 600,000 | 1,000,000 |
Note: The number of sales required to qualify for Oro and Platino awards was higher prior to January 1, 2008. The thresholds were 100,000 units and 200,000 units. All Spanish-language albums certified prior to 2008 were updated to match the current certification at the time. "La Bomba" by Bolivian group Azul Azul is the only single to receive a Latin certification based on shipments before the creation of the Latin digital singles awards in 2013. The Disco de Diamante award was introduced after the RIAA updated the thresholds for Latin certifications on December 20, 2013. The Disco de Diamante is awarded to Latin albums that have been certified 10× Platinum.
Singles
Standard singles are certified:- Gold when it ships 500,000 copies
- Platinum when it ships 1,000,000 copies
- Multi-Platinum when it ships at least 2,000,000 copies
Digital singles are certified:
- Gold means 500,000 certification units
- Platinum means 1,000,000 certification units
- Multi-Platinum means 2,000,000+ certification units
Starting May 9, 2013, RIAA certifications for singles in the "digital" category include on-demand audio and/or video song streams in addition to downloads at a rate of 100 streams = 1 certification "unit". On February 1, 2016, this rate was updated to 150 streams = 1 certification unit.
Latin digital singles are certified:
- Disco de Oro means 30,000 certification units
- Disco de Platino means 60,000 certification units
- Disco de Multi-Platino means 120,000+ certification units
Video Longform
Along with albums, digital albums, and singles there is another classification of music release called "Video Longform." This release format includes DVD and VHS releases, and certain live albums and compilation albums. The certification criteria are slightly different from other styles.- Gold: 50,000 copies
- Platinum: 100,000 copies
- Multi-Platinum: 200,000 copies
Video Single
For Video Single certification, the title must contain no more than two songs and must have a running time of no more than 15 minutes. The certification criteria are:- Gold: 25,000 copies
- Platinum: 50,000 copies
- Multi-Platinum: 100,000 copies
Video Box Set
The Video Box Set award is a classification for video compilations that include three or more videos that are grouped and marketed together as a set. Like Video Longform, this includes DVD and VHS releases and the certification criteria are the same. Each individual video within set is counted as one toward certification.- Gold: 50,000 copies
- Platinum: 100,000 copies
- Multi-Platinum: 200,000 copies
Master Ringtone
Master Ringtone awards were introduced in 2006. Certification levels are identical to those of singles, 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum and 2,000,000+ Multi-Platinum.Many Master Ringtone certifications were awarded until 2009, but since then only ten certifications were awarded in 2010, three in 2012 and three in 2019, all three to AC/DC.
Records
Lists from RIAA site showing current status holders of RIAA Certifications:- List of highest-certified music artists in the United States
- List of best-selling albums in the United States
- List of best-selling singles in the United States
- List of best-selling Latin albums in the United States
Artists with the most album certifications
Most Platinum
This list show the artists with at least 10 platinum albums.Most Diamond
This table tracks artists with at least two Diamond certified albums.Artists with the most single certifications
Most Platinum
This table tracks artists with some number of singles that have received at least 20 digital platinum certifications.Most Diamond
This table tracks artists with some number of singles that have received at least 2 Diamond certifications.- Post Malone currently has 9 Diamond Certified singles, but 10 Diamond Certifications by "Sunflower", first double-Diamond Certified single with 20 million units sold.
- Bruno Mars currently has 6 Diamond Certified singles, but 7 Diamond Certifications by "Just The Way You Are", which is double-Diamond Certified and the highest certified single in history with 21 million units sold.
RIAA Diamond certifications
See also: a list of certified works with Diamond status at RIAA's website.Albums
| Year of release | Artist | Title | Certification | Year of certification |
| 1976 | Eagles | Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) | 40× Platinum | 2026 |
| 1982 | Thriller | 34× Platinum | 2021 | |
| 1980 | AC/DC | Back in Black | 27× Platinum | 2024 |
| 1976 | Eagles | Hotel California | 26× Platinum | 2018 |
| 1971 | Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin IV | 24× Platinum | 2021 |
| 1968 | The Beatles | 24× Platinum | 2019 | |
| 1985 | Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II | 23× Platinum | 2011 | |
| 1998 | Double Live | 23× Platinum | 2023 | |
| 1979 | Pink Floyd | The Wall | 23× Platinum | 1999 |
| 1994 | Hootie & the Blowfish | Cracked Rear View | 22× Platinum | 2024 |
| 1977 | Fleetwood Mac | Rumours | 21× Platinum | 2023 |
| 1997 | Come On Over | 20× Platinum | 2004 | |
| 1994 | Green Day | Dookie | 20× Platinum | 2024 |
Singles
| Year of release | Artist | Title | Certification | Year of certification |
| 2010 | Bruno Mars | "Just the Way You Are" | 21x Platinum | 2025 |
| 2018 | "Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)" | 20× Platinum | 2024 | |
| 1981 | Journey | "Don't Stop Believin" | 18× Platinum | 2024 |
| 2014 | "Thinking Out Loud" | 18× Platinum | 2024 | |
| 1994 | Mariah Carey | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" | 18× Platinum | 2025 |
| 2019 | Lil Nas X | "Old Town Road" | 17× Platinum | 2022 |
| 2015 | Chris Stapleton | "Tennessee Whiskey" | 17× Platinum | 2024 |
| 2012 | Imagine Dragons | "Radioactive" | 17× Platinum | 2024 |
| 2018 | Drake | "God's Plan" | 16× Platinum | 2023 |
| 2016 | Travis Scott | "Goosebumps" | 16× Platinum | 2024 |
| 2016 | "Closer" | 15× Platinum | 2022 | |
| 2013 | Katy Perry | "Roar" | 15× Platinum | 2024 |
| 2018 | Travis Scott | "Sicko Mode" | 15× Platinum | 2024 |
| 2016 | The Weeknd | "Starboy" | 15× Platinum | 2024 |
| 2009 | Black Eyed Peas | "I Gotta Feeling" | 15× Platinum | 2025 |
| 2013 | Hozier | "Take Me to Church" | 15× Platinum | 2025 |
| 2013 | Lorde | "Royals" | 15× Platinum | 2025 |
| 2009 | Miley Cyrus | "Party in the U.S.A." | 15× Platinum | 2025 |
| Year of release | Artist | Title | Certification | Year of certification |
| 1997 | Elton John | "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" / "Candle in the Wind 1997" | 11× Platinum | 1997 |
| 1956 | Elvis Presley | "Hound Dog" / "Don't Be Cruel" | 4× Platinum | 1999 |
| 1992 | Whitney Houston | "I Will Always Love You" | 4× Platinum | 1992 |
| 1985 | USA for Africa | "We Are the World" | 4× Platinum | 1985 |
| 1992 | Los del Río | "Macarena" | 4× Platinum | 1996 |
| 1968 | The Beatles | "Hey Jude" | 4× Platinum | 1999 |
| 1993 | Tag Team | "Whoomp! (There It Is)" | 4× Platinum | 1999 |
| 1991 | Bryan Adams | "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" | 3× Platinum | 1991 |
RIAA Diamante Latin certifications
These lists are based on the latest data featured on the with Latin Diamond or 10× Platinum status at RIAA's website. RIAA does not automatically issue certifications, even if sales and streaming numbers meet the criteria. Artists have to apply and pay RIAA to have their works certified and recertified. As such, these lists do not include all certifiable Latin works and certified works are not routinely updated.Albums (Latin)
| Year of release | Artist | Title | Certification | Standard certification | Year of certification |
| 1995 | Selena | Dreaming of You | 62× Platinum 6× Dimond | 3× Platinum | 2017 |
| 1994 | Selena | Amor Prohibido | 41× Platinum 4× Dimond | 2× Platinum | 2017 |
| 2014 | Romeo Santos | Formula, Vol. 2 | 31× Platinum 3× Dimond | N/A | 2024 |
| 2023 | Karol G | Mañana Será Bonito | 28× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2024 |
| 2017 | Ozuna | Odisea | 28× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2022 |
| 2018 | Elvis Crespo | Suavemente | 26× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2024 |
| 2020 | Bad Bunny | YHLQMDLG | 24× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2021 |
| 2018 | Ozuna | Aura | 23× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2022 |
| 2019 | Luis Fonsi | Vida | 22× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2019 |
| 2023 | Fuerza Regida | Pa Las Baby’s y Belikeadas | 20× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2024 |
| 2019 | J Balvin & Bad Bunny | Oasis | 20× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2025 |
| 2004 | Juanes | Mi Sangre | 20× Platinum 2× Dimond | N/A | 2024 |
| 2002 | Juanes | Un Día Normal | 18× Platinum 1× Dimond | N/A | 2022 |
| 2002 | Selena | Ones | 18× Platinum 1× Dimond | Gold | 2017 |
| 2018 | J Balvin | Vibras | 17× Platinum 1× Dimond | N/A | 2025 |
| 2021 | Rauw Alejandro | Vice Versa | 17× Platinum 1× Dimond | N/A | 2024 |
| 1993 | Gloria Estefan | Mi Tierra | 16× Platinum 1× Dimond | Platinum | 2000 |
| 2023 | Junior H | $ad Boyz 4 Life II | 16× Platinum 1× Dimond | N/A | 2025 |
| 2006 | Maná | Amar es Combatir | 16× Platinum 1× Dimond | Gold | 2023 |
| 2011 | Romeo Santos | Formula, Vol. 1 | 15× Platinum 1× Dimond | N/A | 2022 |
Singles (Latin)
| Year of release | Artist | Title | Latin certification | Year of certification |
| 2017 | Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee | "Despacito" | 141× Platinum 14× Dimond | 2024 |
| 2018 | Nio García, Casper Mágico, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Darell & Nicky Jam | "Te Boté (Remix)" | 106× Platinum 10× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2019 | Jhayco, Bad Bunny, J Balvin | "No Me Conoce" | 90× Platimum 9× Diamond | 2024 |
| 2017 | J Balvin & Willy William | "Mi Gente" | 68× Platimum 6× Diamond | 2018 |
| 2013 | Romeo Santos | "Propuesta Indecente" | 65× Platinum 6× Diamond | 2024 |
| 2018 | Raymix | "Oye Mujer" | 53× Platinum 5× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2021 | Farruko | "Pepas" | 52× Platinum 5× Diamond | 2023 |
| 2018 | Bad Bunny | "Mía" featuring Drake | 50× Platinum 5× Diamond | 2021 |
| 2024 | Floymenor | "Gata Only" featuring Cris MJ | 50× Platinum 5× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2013 | Prince Royce | "Corazón Sin Cara" | 50× Platinum 5× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2018 | Anuel AA & Haze | "Amanece" | 47× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2017 | Becky G & Bad Bunny | "Mayores" | 46× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2021 |
| 2018 | DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, Ozuna, Bad Bunny, Wisin & Almighty | "Solita" | 44× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2024 |
| 2017 | Maluma | "Felices los 4" | 44× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2021 |
| 2018 | Daddy Yankee | "Dura" | 43× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2020 |
| 2016 | Shakira & Carlos Vives | "La Bicicleta" | 43× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2023 | Junior H & Peso Pluma | "El Azul" | 42× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2019 | Sech & Darell | "Otro Trago" | 42× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2023 |
| 2019 | Daddy Yankee | "Con Calma" | 41× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2020 |
| 2019 | Karol G & Nicki Minaj | "Tusa" | 41× Platinum 4× Diamond | 2021 |
| 2020 | Maluma | "Hawái" | 40× Platinum 4× Diamond | |
| 2014 | Romeo Santos | "Eres Mía" | 39× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2022 |
| 2018 | Becky G & Natti Natasha | "Sin Pijama" | 38× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2021 |
| 2023 | Fuerza Regida | "TQM" | 36× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2024 |
| 2023 | Fuerza Regida | "Sabor Fresa" | 36× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2024 |
| 2022 | Karol G | "Provenza" | 36× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2023 |
| 2018 | Nicky Jam & J Balvin | "X" | 35× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2019 |
| 2024 | Chino Pacas | "El Gordo Trae El Mando" | 34× Platinum 3× Diamond | |
| 2011 | Romeo Santos | "Promise" | 34× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2014 | Romeo Santos | "Odio" | 34× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2025 |
| 2004 | Daddy Yankee | "Gasolina" | 33× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2024 |
| 2005 | Shakira | "La Tortura" | 32× Platinum 3× Diamond | 2018 |