Billboard recently removed vinyl sales figures from its website after reporting a dramatic 33.3% year-over-year decline in vinyl record sales. This unexpected move has sparked controversy and confusion in the music industry.

The removal came after conflicting reports and methodological changes in how vinyl sales are counted. Luminate, which provides Billboard's data, implemented new counting methods in 2024 that significantly impacted the numbers. This change prompted protests from independent record stores and led to the creation of a separate vinyl chart by the Vinyl Record Manufacturing Association (VRMA).

Key points of contention:

• Luminate claims year-over-year comparisons are invalid due to methodology changes
• The Vinyl Alliance and Luminate disputed Billboard's figures as inaccurate
• Other industry organizations (RIAA, BPI, and IFPI) report continued growth in vinyl sales
• Luminate later reported a 6% increase, but only after excluding independent store data

The situation is further complicated by Penske Media Corporation's ownership of both Billboard and Luminate. Billboard must now decide whether to adopt Luminate's revised figures showing modest gains or maintain its previous reporting of significant declines.

This controversy raises important questions about data transparency and methodology in tracking music industry sales, particularly as vinyl continues to be a significant format in the modern music market.

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