March 1, 1991 was the beginning of something different in the world of music sales. Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales data of music throughout the United States. 
Nielsen SoundScan is an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada. Sales data from point-of-sale cash registers is collected weekly from over 14,000 retail, mass merchant and non-traditional (on-line stores, venues, etc.) outlets. Weekly data is compiled and made available every Wednesday.
SoundScan is the official sales source for the Billboard music charts. Before 1991, Billboard tracked sales by calling stores all over the U.S. and asking about sales. This method was inaccurate and could be manipulated easily by both the stores and the record companies.
Is SoundScan completely accurate today? Well, as with any rating system, it is watched carefully and most experts feel it is as accurate as possible. The biggest problem seems to be that not all stores subscribe to the reporting system. This means that any sales from that source will not be counted.
As a business, Nielsen SoundScan has many clients including all major and most independent labels, distribution companies, artist managers, and booking mangers. Online retailers, concert promoters and venue owners also use Nielsen to help in their business decisions.
As fans of Clay Aiken, the weekly SoundScan numbers have been interesting to follow. They fill you with excitement or bring disappointment. Whether Clay is on the Top 200 list or not, most of the Clay Aiken fan boards list the weekly SoundScan numbers. Be sure to check them out to see the trends in the music industry.
Most Clay Aiken fans are looking forward to watching for Clay to be active on the SoundScan reports in the near future.
I believe that when Clay has his next CD…it will be promoted more (well..really couldn’t be less..right???) It’s all about marketing…
It will be interesting to find out who he will be signed with, and I pray that they treat and respect Clay…I don’t see it being any other way….Clay has earned it… I’m actually hoping for a Christmas CD and tour…?? Hoping!!!!! But whatever Clay has in his plans is fine with me…I’m here for the ride…..always and forever.
Hugs,
Judy
I didn’t know about this. I hope that next time we watch Clay’s numbers, they are backed with support.
I still check out the numbers every week. It is a good way to know what is going on in the music world.
Thanks for this information.
Very interesting. Soundscan is good, and gives a somewhat accurate counting. It would be nice to know the real total of sales.
I'm in line for the next Clay Aiken CD, that can be counted on!
Interesting…….I did not know that it was such a new thing. Can you imagine counting on phone reports…..It couldn’t be accurate.
Thanks for the info.
I hope we don’t have to wait too long before we can watch Clay’s numbers again. I can’t wait for a new album.
I am glad you guys give us so much information. Thank you.
(no comment – husband used to work for a major record distributor – hee hee)
Thanks for all the great information!! Can’t wait to be tracking Clay’s numbers again 😀
Musicfan,
Thank you for the great information. As a fan of Clay Aiken, we are always learning.
Have an awesome weekend!
Caro
Wow………I didn’t know much about this. Thanks for the facts.
Clay……..hurry up…..we need another album!!
I am looking forward to watching the numbers for Clay again.
This is my first time here and I love all the interesting things that are here. I could get lost in here.
Thanks!!!
I’m definitely looking forward to watching for Clay Aiken to become active on the SoundScan reports again soon!!! Thanks for another great article, musicfan!
Very interesting article. Thanks.
Well, I don’t know about the Soundscan numbers, but Clay Aiken is ALWAYS #1 with me.
Hope we get some new music from him soon – our soon, not his: 🙂
Very nice article musicfan! I also can’t wait to see Clay’s music on soundscan! The numbers should tell it all!
We want a new album!!!
Very interesting, thanks for posting.
Very interesting. I can’t wait to see Clay’s soundscan numbers again. No matter what, he’s always #1 to me.
Interesting article! I can’t wait for Clay to have another CD!!!! Heck, I just want to see him and hear him sing!!!!!!!!!
I believe that Clay is one of a handful of artists to have all of his CDs debut in the top five.
I am not counting The Very Best of Clay Aiken since that was not a “regular” CD. But, even that CD was # 1 out of all the other “very best of” CDs.
Cannot wait to be checking out the soundscan numbers again for Clay.
Can you imagine what Clay’s numbers would have been if there was promotion…there are a lot of people out there that do not know that Clay has this many CD’s.
In 2007 in Cananidagua we met up with some people that just happened to be in the area and saw Clay’s name and that he was going to be in concert. They followed him on AI, but were not on the computer..They had no idea that he was touring..no idea of ATDW (at that time) They wondered what happened to him… They only had heard “Invisible” on the radio, and that was the last they heard about him…Of course..we filled them in….They loved him on AI and were so happy to be there, and after the show, just went on and on about how good he was in concert… You see…Promotion..you gotta let people know you have something to sell…I’m sure the next CD will be done with more and more promotion…..and a tour to support it…
Hugs,
Judy
well we all know how well clay’s albums were supported by RCA?? grrrrr) I hope with all my heart that his next album will be promoted majorly by whatever label he decides to go with!
Thanks for the info. I always say, Clay Aiken is the best kept secret in the world. Unless you have seen him live, you know nothing about Clay Aiken’s talent.
It was fun in the early days anxiously awaiting Clay’s numbers to come it. Once Clay gets the promotion he deserves, it’ll be fun again.