Posted February 21, 2013 by Faisal Hashmi in Web & Social

‘Harlem Shake’ hits No. 1 on Billboard Charts With New Youtube Algorithm

The Billboard Top 100 chart back in the U.S. is pretty much the definitive measure of how much of a hit a particular single is. Reaching on top of that list means something pretty big and can be a milestone for an artist. Though artists like Rihanna and Katy Perry have seen the top of the list many times, that's usually because the list is mostly based on how many times a particular track is played on the radio in the span of a week (also includes digital sales among other things). Since these artists are popular radio players, it makes things a no brainer. However, Billboard made a major change in their algorithm now to add Youtube views into the mix as well, things are about to change. And we see the first instance of that as our favorite meme song hits the number 1 ranking.

Baauer's 2012 single "Harlem Shake" hit the number 1 spot on Wednesday because of this new change, and Billboard says the change is to keep the list relevant because a lot of people consume music digitally in today's world. Thanks to an influx of Harlem Shake videos that arrived onto Youtube since last week, a lot of user interest over the original song led to the track now being number 1. Anything better than seeing the same artists on the same predictable spots again.

They elaborate the change here:

" Billboard is now incorporating all official videos on YouTube captured by Nielsen's streaming measurement, including Vevo on YouTube, and user-generated clips that utilize authorized audio into the Hot 100 and the Hot 100 formula-based genre charts — Hot Country Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, R&B Songs, Rap Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot Rock Songs and Dance/Electronic Songs — to further reflect the divergent platforms for music consumption in today's world."

Yeah, all those office Harlem Shakes really boosted the cause here.

What do you think about the Harlem Shake?