For decades, the gold and platinum record has been the ultimate status symbol in the music industry. It is the physical proof that you didn't just release music—you made an impact.
These shiny plaques historically seemed reserved for major label superstars with massive marketing budgets and sold-out stadium tours. But over the past decade, the industry has shifted, and independent artists have a better chance of achieving such milestones. With the rise of streaming and independent distribution, the path to a Gold or Platinum certification is open to anyone who can hit the numbers, regardless of whether or not they are signed with a major label. It doesn't matter if you are signed to Universal or releasing tracks from your small bedroom; the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) certifies the music, not the contract.
However, what many new artists might not know is that the process isn't automatic. The RIAA doesn't just mail you a plaque when you hit a million streams. You have to apply, you have to pay, and you have to prove that you’ve earned it. This guide will walk you through exactly how the system works, what it costs, and how to get that precious hardware on your wall.
Understanding the RIAA certification Tiers
Before we dive into the application process, you need to know what you are aiming for. The RIAA has maintained the same prestige tiers for years, but the way they calculate them has evolved to keep up with how we consume music:
- Gold: 500,000 Units
- Platinum: 1,000,000 Units
- Multi-Platinum: 2,000,000 Units (and up, in increments of 1 million)
- Diamond: 10,000,000 Units
There is also a separate ‘Latin Program’ for tracks that are predominantly in Spanish, which has lower thresholds (Oro is 30,000 units, Platino is 60,000), acknowledging the specific market dynamics of Latin music in the US.
Doing The Math: What Counts as a ‘Unit?’
This is the most common point of confusion for emerging artists. Here’s the thing: if you have 500,000 streams on Spotify, that does not mean you have a Gold record. You aren't even close, because one stream does not equate to one physical album sale.
To modernize the awards and bring them into the digital streaming era, the RIAA created a formula to convert streams into ‘sales equivalents.’ You need to understand the difference between a Digital Single Award and an Album Award, as the math changes slightly for each.
For Single Songs
The RIAA uses a standard formula, where 150 on-demand streams equal 1 unit (one paid download). Each listen on a streaming service, such as Spotify or YouTube, is counted as a stream and contributes to the total number of units needed for certification.
So, to get a Gold Single (500,000 units), you need a combination of downloads and streaming equivalents that hits the half-million mark. If you are relying 100% on streaming, the math looks like this:
- 75 million streams = Gold Single (500,000 units x 150)
- 150 million streams = Platinum Single (1,000,000 units x 150)
Both audio streams (Spotify, Apple Music) and official video streams (YouTube, Vevo) count towards this total, provided they are on-demand and from the U.S. market.
For Albums
The album formula is a bit more complex, because it has to account for the fact that an album is basically just a bundle of songs. The RIAA thus counts 1,500 on-demand streams as 1 album sale.
Additionally, sales of albums bundled with merchandise, such as t-shirts or posters, can also contribute to album certification if properly reported. Retail sales, including those from record stores and other physical retail outlets, are included in the calculation of album units to ensure accurate certification.
Furthermore, they also count ‘Track Equivalent Albums’ (TEA). This means that if you sell 10 individual permanent downloads of songs from the album, that counts as one album unit.
The Cost of getting RIAA-certified
One of the biggest misconceptions among new artists is that the RIAA certifies you for free. In reality, the certification process is a service they provide, and it comes with a price tag.
For major labels who are members of the RIAA, the fees are lower. But as an independent artist or label, you will likely be applying as a non-member.
As of 2025, the fee for a non-member company is $450 per certification level. This means if you are applying for Gold, you pay $450. If you wait until you are Platinum to apply, you can certify for both at once, but you pay only for the level you are certifying.
Crucially, this fee is just for the certification audit. It does not include the physical plaque itself. Once you are approved, you earn the right to purchase the official award from a licensed manufacturer (like Jewel Box Platinum or Metro Pro), which can cost anywhere from $150 to $500, depending on the design and size.
There is also the potential cost of the audit itself. The RIAA hires an independent accounting firm, Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman (GR&F), to verify your numbers. While the application fee covers standard processing, complex audits or first-time independent applicants might incur additional costs if the auditors need to do extensive verification work or travel, though this is less common for standard digital releases.
How to Apply: The Step-by-Step Process
If you have crunched the numbers and you are confident you have the units to get certified, here is how you actually get the process started.
Step 1: Gather Your Data
Unfortunately, you cannot just send a screenshot of your Spotify for Artists dashboard and call it a day. You need rigorous data to prove that you’ve checked those boxes. So, you will need to generate a sales report from your distributor (like DistroKid, Tunecore, CD Baby, or Too Lost) that isolates U.S.-based sales and streams.
Remember that global streams do not count. The RIAA is a U.S. trade organization, so only activity within the United States is eligible. Ensure your report separates ‘On-Demand Audio’ and ‘Video’ streams from other types of activity (like programmed radio), which often don't count.
Step 2: The Application
You will need to download the official Certification Request spreadsheet from the RIAA website. This document asks for detailed metadata: ISRCs, release dates, and the breakdown of your sales figures. Be sure to include additional details, if any, such as bonus tracks or special editions.
You will send this completed sheet to certifications@riaa.com. If you are an independent artist without a label manager, you are the ‘Label Contact.’
Step 3: The Audit
Once the RIAA receives your request, they will instruct their auditors at GR&F to verify the numbers. They will likely reach out to your distributor directly to confirm the data you provided is legitimate. This is a fraud-prevention measure to ensure nobody is faking their way to Platinum status.
This process can take a few weeks. Be patient and responsive if they ask for additional documentation.
Step 4: Approval and Authorization
When the audit is successful, you will receive an official notification from the RIAA. Congratulations! You are now a certified artist.
At this stage, you will receive instructions on how to order your plaque. You are also able to authorize other people to buy plaques, if you want. It is common tradition to authorize plaques for your producer, manager, engineer, and distributor—anyone who helped you reach that milestone.
Pre Orders and RIAA Certification
Pre-orders can play a crucial role in helping your release qualify for RIAA certification. According to RIAA guidelines, pre-orders count toward your certification totals as long as they are fulfilled within a specific timeframe—typically within 30 days of the release date. This means that managing your pre-order campaign effectively is essential to ensure those sales are included in your official numbers.
Accurate and transparent reporting of pre-orders is also required, as the RIAA’s certification process relies on precise data to verify eligibility. By planning your pre-order strategy carefully and working closely with your distributor, you can maximize your chances of having every sale count toward your Gold, Platinum, or Multi-Platinum certification.
So, Should You Apply?
For an independent artist, spending nearly $500 plus the cost of a plaque is a significant investment. You have to weigh the Return on Investment (ROI) and see if it’s worth it at this stage of your career or not.
The primary value of an RIAA certification is marketing and legitimacy. Having ‘RIAA Gold Certified’ in your bio, on your EPK, and in your Instagram headline instantly changes how the industry views you. It is a universally recognized stamp of approval that says you are a commercially viable professional and serious about your career path.
It can also help with booking higher-tier venues, negotiating better deals with brands, or catching the eye of publishers. If you have the numbers, the certification is often worth the cost simply for the doors it opens.
The role of Distributors
Some modern distribution platforms have realized how confusing this process is and have started offering help. For example, DistroKid and select other aggregators have automated features for their upper-tier members that help you track your eligibility and even assist in generating the required documents.
Before you try to do this entirely manually, check with your distributor’s support team. They may have a specific protocol for RIAA submissions that can save you time and ensure your data is formatted exactly how the auditors want to see it.
To sum up
Getting an RIAA certification is one of the few milestones in music that is purely objective. It isn't about who you know or who likes your style; it is about the raw math of people listening to your art. While the 75 million stream requirement for a Gold single might sound daunting, it is achievable for independent artists who build consistent, loyal fanbases. If you hit that mark, don't let the paperwork stop you. That plaque is a piece of history with your name on it, and you have earned the right to hang it on your wall.
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