YouTube Streams Return to the Billboard Charts in 2027, and Drake Says the Game Is "Cooked"

Songs you play on YouTube will count toward the US Billboard charts again. YouTube, which stopped sharing its data in January, is returning after about a year, and rapper Drake's angry reaction made the news go viral.

What happened

• In January 2026, YouTube stopped giving Billboard its streaming data, arguing that free, ad-supported plays were valued too low. Since then, YouTube views have not counted on the Billboard charts.
• On November 9 the two companies announced a deal. YouTube's global head of music, Lyor Cohen, wrote: "We are returning to the Billboard charts starting in 2027."
• Billboard changed its formula. One album unit still equals 1,000 paid streams, but the number of ad-supported (free) streams needed drops from 2,500 to 1,500. Free plays are now worth noticeably more.

Why Drake is upset

• On November 11, Drake posted on his Instagram story: "Wtf this game so cooked."
• In May he took the top three spots on the Billboard 200 with three albums at once, but views of the visual albums he posted on YouTube did not count toward that tally.
• Under the new rules, artists who are strong on free platforms like YouTube may gain an edge, which is seen as the reason behind his complaint.

What it means for YouTube creators

• With views of music videos, live clips and visual albums feeding chart results again, artists and labels are likely to invest more in YouTube videos.
• As free plays carry more weight, videos that spread songs, such as Shorts and covers, may get more attention too.
• The change takes effect in 2027, and the exact counting rules have not been published in detail yet.

Sources: VICE – Drake Declares Music Industry Is "Cooked" Following Major Billboard Change · The Source – YouTube to Resume Sharing Streaming Data With Billboard in 2027