Billboard will now monitor viral songs on TikTok. On Thursday, the trade launched the TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart, which lists the platform’s most popular songs in the U.S. It’s the first official music chart in the country that tracks music discovery and engagement on TikTok.
“TikTok is already the world’s most powerful platform for music discovery and promotion, and each week our passionate community of music fans drives songs onto the Billboard charts,” said Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music Business Development at TikTok, in a press release. “It therefore made perfect sense to partner with Billboard to create the TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart.”
Mike Van, the President of Billboard, said, “We are constantly evolving our charts to reflect how fans engage with music.”
“We see a clear opportunity to recognize the way music discovery on TikTok is shaping popular culture and are proud to offer this tool to the industry, while offering brands a new way to engage with music fans at scale,” Van continued.
Topping the inaugural TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart is rapper Sexyy Red with “SkeeYee.” Charting second is Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red,” followed by Taylor Swift’s “August.” Sexyy Red currently has multiple tracks on the chart.
“I am so excited that so many of my songs are charting on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart,” said Sexyy Red in a press release. “I want to thank all my fans on TikTok for running my music up!”
The TikTok Billboard Top 50 Chart will refresh every Thursday morning. Creations, video views and user engagement all contribute to chart placement.
The chart is viewable on the TikTok app — users can press the round icon on the bottom corner of the screen, then tap the Music Charts button in the top right. It’s also available on billboard.com.
Billboard is owned by the same parent company as WWD, Penske Media Corp.